‘Recognition by peers nice’ Thursday, September 1 2011
Dr Austin Trinidade...Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold).... HAVING been overlooked on two separate occasions, prominent South Trinidad medical practitioner, Dr Austin Trinidade, says he was “pleasantly surprised” after learning he would be conferred with the Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) at yesterday’s national awards ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. Trinidade, a Kenyan by birth but who has lived and worked in Trinidad since 1972, was among 56 persons who received national awards for their contribution to society. In an interview at his Palmiste, San Fernando home on Tuesday, an obviously elated Trinidade said he had been “very surprised” that he had been contacted by President’s House last Wednesday concerning the national award. “I was very surprised to begin with because I’ve been nominated before, two or three times before, so I really wasn’t expecting. I knew they had nominated me, the (southern branch of the) Medical Association nominated me because they asked me if they could nominate me and I was kind of hesitant, I said I had been nominated before and nothing happened,” he said. “Well, I’m surprised but I’m also very thankful, because it’s nice to be recognised by your peers and by your country, my adopted country, very thankful yes.” Trinidade said while he had been sworn to secrecy, he had told his wife, Lorna, whom he married in 1975, and had subsequently told his two boys, Aaron and Adrian, who were both in England. Trinidade, who retired as Medical Chief of Staff at the San Fernando General Hospital in 2007, also served as president of the TT Medical Association in 1989 and had two stints as council member of the Medical Board from 1995-1998 and 2004-2006. He also organised the first audiology testing in South Trinidad, which was subsequently used as a template for the Ministry of Health 15 years later. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,146535.html
