Unsung Heroine
Reflections on CAIHR Management Stewardship by a UWI 75 Heroine
As part of the University’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2023, Administrators and other unsung others were honoured for their contributions to University Life. Beyond this acknowledgement was the knowledge that the Department Heads appreciated my work enough to nominate me for this award. For me that appreciation was the real cause for celebration.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Arthur Ashe
Sometimes we focus on personal achievement without looking back at the context within which we thrive and achieve. Indeed who is a teacher if there are no students or a doctor without any patients? In reflecting on this, I considered my operational environment.
CAIHR is made up of diverse functions all serving one common purpose – research excellence. This purpose drives our thinking and operating systems. Notably, CAIHR is a leading health research entity in the Caribbean with an expansive vision to ‘transform lives globally through research innovation and effective health interventions’. Behind this bold declaration is the commitment of our staff, many of whom have never graced podiums or featured in publications, but whose consistent quality efforts have ensured award-winning research, training and clinical output.
CAIHR demands superior administrative management and support, and I hold myself permanently accountable and responsible for the fulfilment of the administrative purpose of the Institute. Over the years, my efforts to expand and raise the Institute’s administrative profile were welcomed and supported as CAIHR embraces a culture of innovation. I am thankful for the respect that has been accorded to me; which in turn has provided me with avenues for the discovery of my professional identity and destiny and support others in the pursuit of their own goals.
Citation
https://uwi.edu/75/75at75.html
Cherie-Ann joined CAIHR in December 2003 and by April 2004 had transformed our procurement and grants administration processes into a database management system accessible across CAIHR’s Mona Units followed by electronic archiving of all records with tiered access. Her initiative has improved administration and infrastructure such as eliminating power fluctuations at TMRU by negotiating funding for and managing transfer from the UHWI electricity grid to its own transformer; and implementing a call system that reduced telephone costs by 40%. She was highly commended for her work by Quinquennial external reviewers in 2021.
Cherie-Ann is responsible for CAIHR’s communication agenda, design and management of our website, and social media platforms. The newly launched CAIHR App, is an innovative approach to foster engagement with stakeholders. Under her leadership, the CAIHR 20th anniversary reached the public, external stakeholders, alumni and the UWI community through a day long radio feature, an exhibition and panel discussion on our history at the UWI museum, and award ceremony.
Cherie-Ann established the Jeremiah Global advocacy platform, with The Jeremiah Global Scholarship for students at The UWI Mona Campus, and The Giving that Empowers initiative for public support of persons living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Cherie-Ann has engendered a mutually supportive relationship with the Office of Finance, especially the grants administration team. She arranged sponsored training for team members at the University of Cambridge, UK and Fox Chase Cancer Centre, USA providing access to mentorship in grants management, essential for the UWI’S grant portfolio.
She was instrumental in advancing The UWI brand among Bishops and congregations of the three largest African-Caribbean Churches in the UK through staging the History, Heritage and Identity Symposium series that profiled The University’s formidable scholarship on the West Indian History, Health Sciences and Economics. The seminal presentations by Sir Hilary Beckles, PVC Densil Williams, and other stalwarts and friends of The University, and Professor Kevin Fenton (UK NHS) were embraced with pride by Caribbean Diaspora.
