Alicia Walcott crowned first ever Miss GPHC Queen

Following an intense competition on the stage of the National Cultural Centre last evening between five nurses attached at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, 24-year-old Alicia Walcott was adjudged the cream of the crop and was crowned the first ever Miss GPHC queen.  

This pageant was piloted as part of the calendar of activities planned to commemorate International Nurses Week 2023, and to provide a platform for nurses to advocate against issues that exist within the system and to showcase their bountiful talents. 

With four segments, inclusive of their platform introduction, talent, evening gown and the question and answering, the nurses were judged on stage appearance, personality, originality, creativity, elegance, confidence, crowd appeal, knowledge and relevance. 

After utilising a compound scoring judging system, that is, the sum of all the scores in each segment, Walcott secured the highest score, followed by Allison Denica Thomas, who was adjudged the runner-up. 

Walcott was also declared winner of the talent segment, where she performed a moving dance to the song “one day things will go my way” by Fearless Soul, a piece that was dedicated to all nurses, demonstrating things that they go through everyday, and encouraging them to never give up. 

Meanwhile, Thomas copped the best evening gown prize for her stunning red gown designed by Naomi Murray, and Miss Congeniality. 

The other contestants were Amanda Clarke, Curlesha Halley and Shontel George.

In addition to the segments of the pageant, the audience was also entertained by other nurses and staff of GPHC who showcased their talents in song, dance and poetry, as fillers between the segments. 

CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran said he is proud of what was demonstrated on stage by the participating nurses, and he believes that the purpose of the pageant was fulfilled.

“I think this is fantastic. And what this does for them too, it creates this environment that they can advocate for themselves, empower themselves to gain this confidence that we need young people to have in taking up careers in healthcare, taking our country forward to a next level. I’m super proud of what I saw here tonight,” Rambarran said. 

Disclosing that Miss GPHC can now be expected to happen every year. 

In a quick comment from the queen, she committed to continue advocating for her platform which she said derived from research and her personal passion. 

“Studies have shown that in the past three years, there has been a 56% increase in health care professionals who would have reported being emotionally overwhelmed. My goal is to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and its effects on nurses. Never be afraid or ashamed to reach out and seek the help you may need. It’s okay not to be okay,”she said in her platform introduction. 

She said too that as the world advances in medical technology, she believes that it will contribute to enhancing the work of medical practitioners.  

With that, “I see us moving forward in a positive way and I really cannot wait to be part of that change. Expect us to continue working to make the medical field a better place,” the queen said.