Dr. Simone Spence received her medical degree from the University of the West Indies in 2004 with a Masters in Public Health in 2008 and is now currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health, from the same institution. She is currently the Director of Health Promotion & Protection Branch in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Jamaica with direct responsibility and oversight for the all health programmes relating to Health Promotion, Disease Prevention/Surveillance, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Waste Management & Veterinary Public Health. She also is a part-time lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in the Community Health and Psychiatry department.
She has had 14 years’ experience in Primary Health Care and Public Health in various capacities at the parish, region and National levels. Passionate about Public Health, her career path has led her to service at the national level. Her professional interests focus on different areas of public health including Maternal and Child Health – through the European Union sponsored project, Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child mortality (PROMAC) as the Project Coordinator.
Her personal philosophy is embodied by the following motivational quotes and how they reflect in her life:
1. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
2. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle
“These two motivational quotes embody my spirit and enthusiasm for what I’m doing now and hope to achieve in the future. A very wise teacher once said, “Never settle for mediocrity in whatever you do but strive for excellence at all times.” The impression that statement left me with is that in my own way, I can make a difference. So I push forward, even though the road is definitely not easy but is treacherous and steep. Above all else what keeps me grounded is, “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13”
Hibiscus Health Caribbean Inc. 