After 9 1/2 years of dedication and service to our community Dr. Ford is finally and deservedly taking her retirement.

Annabelle Todd and I had an opportunity to sit with Dr. Ford on her verandah yesterday and hear a bit of her professional life's story.

Daughter of Gladstone and Lucille Ford from Great Bay, Dr. Ford spent some time at our own Sandy Bank Primary School before moving to Kingston and attending the Holy Rosary Prep School. From there, back to St. Elizabeth and Hampton where at the time there were only about 95 students attending Hampton. Then off to Birmingham, England to attend the then Aston College of Technology where she had to take courses in chemistry and physics as (at the time) Hampton did not teach these subjects to the young girls. Sheffield University in Yorkshire was where she obtained her medical degree graduating in 1963.

It was back to Jamaica for her internship where she spent time working at The National Chest Hospital, Jubilee, Kingston Public Hosptial, and Children's Hospital. We asked if it was unusual at that time for a woman to be a doctor. Suprisingly, Dr. Ford told us there were many women doctors so it was not unusual at all.

After spending a few years in Savannah La Mar, Dr. Ford moved to Spanishtown where she opened a private practice. For the most part, this is where she stayed until her return to Great Bay in 1996. After 4 years of hosting an unofficial practice from her parent's verandah, in 2000 she decided to open a practice at Crossroads. This is where we could find her until last week.

Dr. Ford told us of receiving three cakes, and Mrs. Wishart organizing a farewell party for her including cake, curried goat and rice, drinks, etc. Several members of the community came by to pay their respects to her.

We will certainly miss Dr. Ford's good advice, medical training, and most of all her sensitive and caring ways in dealing with her patients.

When asked how she will spend her retirement, she laughed and told us she hopes to be able to straighten up her bedroom, read more books, learn more computer skills, and travel.

Wishing you all the best Dr. Ford!

All the best on your retirement Dr.Ford! May God grant unto you, good health and added strength. I'm going to miss you, and I know others will be saying the same thing too. Each time I visited Jamaica I always go to visit her. She's a wonderful lady. Always taking time to sit and talk with her patients with a smile. Thanks for that lovely picture Rebecca.
God bless you Dr. Ford.

All the best Dr. Ford on your retirement. I knew it was a long time coming as we spoke on many occasions in your office - and you will certainly be missed! You were among the best; as I have benefitted from your dedicated services on numerous occasions.
I remember on one occasion when I thought I would have lost my big finger from chopping out a coconut; and you tended to it so expertly; and guess what my finger is now brand new!
You also never hesitated to do home visits especially when my Mom wasn't well and we had to call on you unexpectedly.
For all the numerous times you failed to even charge us for your services will never go unnoticed - they were highly appreciated. You were more interested in helping rather than collecting for your professional services- which is very rare.
May God grant you long life, good health and his everlasting peace and looking forward to seeing you whenever I return (God's willing).

All the best Dr ford on your retirement u will surly be miss may the good lord guard and protectu

wishing you all the best on your retirement dr.ford

I too went to see DR FORD i live in New York and she sit and talk to me like a daughter the doctors here did not resolve my problem and she did so whatever is said about her is absolutely positive God bless you Dr Ford.

Dr. Ford is definitely that person who would sit down and talk to her patiences.....if I was in her waiting room and she takes too long to get to me,I would often say she is in the office talking-away.Good luck Dr.Ford.

DR ford, I'm not sure if I told you you are a great human being. I'll miss our little doctor-patient talks. Here's a poem I found and modified:

RETIREMENT

Goodbye to work, you're on a high - it's the best day of your life!
You gladly hand the reins over - goodbye to toil and strife.
When morning comes, you lie in bed and look up at the ceiling -
There are no patients coming—ailing, moaning--I know just how you're feeling.

The sun shines through the window, you hear the clatter of some feet –
They’re people who are off to work, you can hear them in the street.
Within you comes a warming glow - your new life just is starting.
There are cards from many who were sad at your departing.

But you must arise, get dressed and out - there's no time left to lose.
Make the most of it, the day is yours - just do exactly as you choose.
Buy a boat, a train, a yacht and do whatever you please
Run with your hair let loose and wild; enjoy the summer breeze.

Wishing you all the Best for your retirement , may you have a wonderful time.
We thank you for your dedicated service and advice to our Guests and Staff Members.

All the Best,

Axel & Andrea
Marblue
Old Wharf, Treasure Beach

Hello Doctor Ford,

Glad you've finally made the decision. I kept wondering if you would ever finally 'retire' Enjoy yourself and see you soon again in Great Bay.

Enya and Karen are sending you lots of love from not so sunny England. Hugs from the baby who is thriving despite the cold.

Walk good. Lots of love.
Enya and Karen

Hello Doctor Ford,

Glad you've finally made the decision. I kept wondering if you would ever finally 'retire' Enjoy yourself and see you soon again in Great Bay.

Enya and Karen are sending you lots of love from not so sunny England. Hugs from the baby who is thriving despite the cold.

Walk good. Lots of love.
Enya and Karen

Dr.Ford,I too shall miss your good council,help,and smiling face.Thanks for all the good advice over the years.Have a wonderful,pleasurable retirement,All the best,JUJU

You were the very first Dr.I remember visiting. I can still taste the medicine sample you gave me so many years ago. My parents recently became your patients (again) after spending some time away.

Please allow me to say how much of an icon you have been to me. Throughout the years, whenever I would hear, or read, someone disparaging Great Bay, I would think of you, and others like yourself, who have made the residents of the district realize that something good can come out of Great Bay.

Thank you for being a positive role model for all of us, and for coming back "home" and giving your service to the community. Enjoy your retirement, you have more than earned it.

Congratulations on your retirement Dr.Ford.
You have ran the race and finished with pride.
Now is your time.
Enjoy life to it's fullest.

Summa Virtute et Humanitate!
Former HHS Student from Great Bay.

By Orant and Mary on Wednesday October 14th 2009
Hooray, thank you Rebecca for recognising one of the Ford's family an over due tribute for the good deeds and service they have contributed for decades upon decades, not only to Great Bay, but all of Treasure Beach and every surrounding area's of Bacon, Watchwell, Newell, Bigwoods,Roundhill, Southfield, Flagamon,Cross Roads, and back to Great Bay. To Miss Gloria may your retirement be one of best of health,peace, and happiness. lots of love and best regards, please say hello to Miss Hilma and the rest of your families, will ring you soon, love you Orant& Mary, England.

My dear cousin I fully endorse the compliments paid to you. You are a wonderful human being and I have enjoyed the few but priceless moments that we have spent communicating with each other. I know that the gap in our age may have prevented us from being closer but I trust that we will have more time in the future to rap! You told me recently that the Fords are departing this life rapidly but I trust that you will be around for a long time to come. May God's blessings remain with you and may you have a long,peaceful,restful and enjoyable retirement!

My dearest Auntie,

I am honored and blessed beyond words to say that I am the niece of Dr Gloria Ford. She has inspired me to pursue medicine and serve the poorest of the poor, and is the main reason why I am studying at Oxford and writing this note from South Africa. Her steadfast love, support, and inspiration has shaped my character, my career and ultimately my purpose in life.

I have fond memories of Auntie Gloria's practice. I remember being a young girl and playing with Auntie's doctor equipment, trying on the stethoscope and the oversized gown in front of the mirror or sitting outside her practice in CrossRoads waiting for her to finish and pressing my ears against the door, curious to find out what the diagnosis was. Her practice was simple and very special, bringing people from far and wide to a small room where little miracles happened...patients laughed and cried, they spoke and they listened, they were treated and they were educated. Miss Gloria empowered her patients to take ownership of their health and treated them as equals despite an age or knowledge gap, whether they were rich or poor.

I am so proud to be Miss Gloria's niece. She is well respected in the community and has dedicated her life to serving the people of Jamaica and Treasure Beach. My aunt's practice stood out because she never settled for simply understanding the disease or illness. My aunt recognized her patients as individuals...individuals with many different stories, singular experiences bounded by social identities, by place, by time, by culture, by religion. She was the community healer, the person people trusted with their lives: our phone would ring at 3am with emergency requests or a knock on the door for a house call, and Auntie would not hesitate to help.

Auntie Gloria has shown this: A doctor heals not only through an intimate understanding of science, but by mastering the art of listening and observation without any assumptions— giving preference to individual experience over medical textbooks. The beautiful words and anecdotes of personal experiences listed above are a testament to Gloria's talent, patience, devotion, and genuine care for her community. The world is so grateful to have such gentle souls, those who have the courage and humility to dedicate their lives to serving and helping others. Thank you Auntie.

I love you,

Vanessa

First, belated happy retirement to Dr Ford, who sounds, and rightfully so, like an absolute Treasure Beach gem and legend in her own lifetime

vanessa, just quickly....
Before possibly meeting up in a 2-3 person Treasure Beach reunion back here in Oxford England, if you're still in South Africa, I don't know your exact reason for being there...a conference?....and somehow, miraculously bump into a Dr Makobetsa Khati, HIV-AIDS aptamer reserch group leader, Dr Makobetsa Khati, pls say hello to him. A very good friend of mine I've not seen in years.

>> Dr Makobetsa Khati, S African HIV-AIDS researcher

catch up soon

J A M

Hello Sister-in-law. Congrats on your retirement and a very happy and long retirement life.

In reading all these good wishes about you, clearly means that you have displayed God’s love to your patients. You are truly blessed, by performing excellent doctoring skills and by providing the gift of love, compassion and generosity for which you have bestowed upon your patients.

I think this poem, is befitting for you.

To Be Great…

You don't have to be a great artist,
a great politician, a great philosopher,
historian, athlete, or scientist
in order to be great.

You can be great in your kindness,
and the joy and comfort you offer others.

You can be great through the way
you raise your child, and through your
love and devotion to your significant other.

You can be great by putting in an honest
day's work, or by the way you've
made a house a home for your family.

You can be great in your desire to overcome
any obstacle in order to make something
out of your life.

You can be great by the way you help
your neighbors. You can be great in
your love for God and country.

It's not your job, ability, status, or position in life that makes you great,
but the love, loyalty, and dedication in your heart.
And these are the very qualities that bind all of humanity to each other and to God.

Enjoy your leisure time. Wishing you all that life has to offer.

Julleen

Hi J A M,

I'm still in South Africa doing research at the Centre for AIDS Programme Research (CAPRISA) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. I just checked the TB forum and noticed your post about Dr Makobetsa Khati. Did you do your DPhils concurrently? It would be great to meet him whilst I'm here; his work has changed the way we understand HIV and TB. I'm in SA often enough (at least 4-5 times per year) so we could arrange to connect in the future if it doesn't happen during this trip.

@vanessa, Dr Makobetsa Khati did his D Phil on HIV, using combinatorial synthetic RNA approaches..in the molecular virology group of William James (now Prof0 I am older than Dr MK and was a late starter post doc researcher in the same group at the time (i went and lectured clinical biochem in a Malaysian med school 1987=94 straight after my own DPhil was completed in 1986.
I will definitely try to get Dr MK to meet up with you in SA.

It is very fitting that this introduction on to Dr Khati has happened via this tribute to your inspiratioal auntie Dr Gloria Ford. Best wishes. Jam.

Greeting Dr.Ford your grandmother auntie Bertha is my grandaunt. All the best in your retirement, my father is Frankie. Will give you a call soon, saw your aunt Jessie 2005,is your brother John still in Canada?. God bless you!

You cousin,
Len