On Thursday, September 30, 2021, the Governor General and the Minister of Health & Wellness joined Public Hospitals Authority and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre Officials and staff and in celebrating the birthday Mrs. Francis Dean. Mrs Dean, a patient at Sandilands Geriatric Hospital who turned 106 years old, was recognized as the second oldest person in The Bahamas. Dean posed for photographs with His Excellency, Cornelius A. Smith and Dr. the Honourable Michael Darville and the special visit was marked with a cake cutting.

The Governor General took note of the milestone celebration, leading those assembled in singing happy birthday to Mrs. Dean. Remarking on Mrs. Dean’s faith, His Excellency noted, “Recognizing that God, when he made us, He determined the length of our days on the earth. He also intends that we do something for others while we are here. Truly God must have intended something very special for Mrs. Dean given the tremendous lifespan God has given her.” He also took time to acknowledge the staff at Sandilands, “Caregiving is a very difficult job, so I congratulate all caregivers not only here, but also in the wider community for accepting that very difficult responsibility.”

The relatives of Mrs. Dean, who hails from Orange Creek, Cat Island, expressed their gratitude to the Governor General and Minister for their visit. Mrs. Dean enjoyed a career as a domestic worker and laundress. She was married to the late Cleophas McFallen Dean, and their two sons, Calvin Culmer and McFallen Dean have predeceased her.

Minister Darville congratulated Mrs. Dean on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Wellness and recognized the staff of the Geriatric Hospital. He stressed that the Ministry will remain focused on improving the delivery of services and care to the elderly. “A society is judged by its level of care for the aged,” Darville said as he pledged to ensure support and resources for Sandilands and its staff.

Also in attendance was PHA Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Lyrone C. Burrows who expressed the best wishes of the entire PHA family to Mrs. Dean on her 106th birthday. SRC Administrator Jessica Cartwright expressed the gratitude of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Staff and the family of Mrs. Francis Dean to the Governor General for his visit and for his insistence on celebrating with Mrs. Dean and Sandilands.

This month also marks the 65th Anniversary of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, further events to mark this milestone are scheduled.