John, Ambrose very appreciative of receiving Queen’s New Year’s honours

Elroy Raymond John and Dr Rosalind Eartha Ambrose have both been named in the 2013 Queen’s New Year Honours List.{{more}}

John, the country manager of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, is being honoured for his services to banking and expressed excitement at earning the prestigious award.

“I’m excited, I’m humbled, because this is not something that I was looking forward to,” the country manager said.

He also stated that it was nice to be recognized for one’s contributions, especially when still alive and able to appreciate the honour.

At an early age, John said that he had always wanted to be one of two things: a banker or a lawyer.

The country manager has since then achieved his goal and has been in banking for 37 years, his experience ranging from the most junior level to the most senior level.

John, originally of Biabou, attended the Biabou Primary School and St Vincent Grammar School to Upper 6 level.

He discontinued his education at the ‘A’ level stage when he was hired at the Bedford Street branch of Barclays Bank, but later completed his banking exams at certificate stage in 1983 and has done various courses since then.

The honoree said that he did not expect to become country manager and is proud of the accomplishment.

“To reach the level I have reached is not something that I had aspired to when I had just started…to reach the top of the organization is an achievement in itself,” John said.

He highlighted that there were many obstacles in his journey and he feels good because he was able to overcome them.

Ambrose, chief of staff and radiologist at the Caribbean Medical Imaging Centre (CMIC), is being honoured for her services to medicine.

“I feel quite happy…it’s nice to be acknowledged for the work that you do,” Ambrose said.

She further stated that one does not always do something for the hope of a reward, but it feels nice to be appreciated.

Ambrose qualified as a physician in 1983, but has specialized as a radiologist for approximately 21 years.

She has had various accomplishments during that time which include introducing the first computer topography (CT) scan in St Vincent and the Grenadines, operating her own medical imaging centre and recently being featured in “Caribbean Women in Science”.

The radiologist describes her profession as a childhood dream and said that radiology is her second love.

“It’s more rewarding; I go home happy every day,” Ambrose declared.

Ambrose grew up in Kingstown Park and has had extensive education, starting her primary education at Elaine DeShong Primary School and finishing at St Mary’s Roman Catholic School. She is a past student of St Vincent Girls’ High School and furthered her studies at North Seattle Community College (USA), University of Washington (USA) and St George’s University in Grenada.

Both honorees are also involved in various organizations.

Ambrose is in her fifth term as president of St Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association, while John is a member of the Lions Club South and the National Insurance Board, where he serves as the Deputy Chairman.