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By Donna Lamb |
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Jean Leon Honored
for 10 Years of
Inspired Leadership
at Kings County Hospital
 
magnificent tenth anniversary celebration was held recently for Ms. Jean
Leon, the Executive Director of Kings County Hospital Center and Senior
Vice President of the Central Brooklyn Family Health Center. Held at the
opulent El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn, throughout the evening a
great outpouring of love was shown for this Trinidadian American woman
who began her career as a registered nurse but shifted to health
administration so she could have a greater impact on policy and
decision-making in the healthcare of her community.
After graduating from the San Fernando Nursing School, Leon went on
to receive her undergraduate degree in Health Administration from St.
Joseph's College and her Master's in Public Administration from New York
University. Prior to her appointment at Kings County Hospital where she
oversees 4,000 employees and maintains high quality standards in patient
care, Leon spent more than a decade honing her administrative skills in
senior management jobs at Brooklyn Interfaith Medical Center, Woodhull
Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, and Harlem Hospital.
 Following
the reception, a radiant Jean Leon was escorted into dinner by George
Proctor. Then, remarks were delivered by many people, including Laray
Brown from the Health and Hospital Corp. and Congressman Ed Towns.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz identified Jean Leon as one
of the leading female executives – and the only Caribbean American
executive – of any major medical center in the United States. He said to
Leon, "You prove, by way of Trinidad and Tobago, that Brooklyn is where
legends are made and dreams come true. All of Brooklyn celebrates your
achievements."
Former Council Member Una Clarke said that for those who saw her
bursting with pride, it was because as a Jamaican American woman she was
so proud to have a sister from a companion nation running Kings County
Hospital. "We put New York and all America on notice that we can do what
we will to be a part of the fabric of these United States," Clarke
declared.
 Among
the many proclamations, citations and awards given to Jean Leon were a
large handcrafted model of Kings Country Hospital from Barry Chapman and
Facilities Management, presented by Warren Hanson and another company
representative; a beautiful crystal eagle from the Trinidad and Tobago
Lions Club; and, on behalf of the Crown Heights Lions Club, D. George
Allen presented Lyon with their Uplinger Award, which is one of the
highest awards they give non-Lions.
In introducing a proclamation from the New York City Council, Dr.
Kendall Stewart said they all know that Jean Leon doesn’t think it’s
enough to just say she cares about immigrants and is concerned
about their health issues; she believes in doing something for
them. "That's why my colleague, Yvette Clarke, and I will be bringing
home the $5 million for the Cancer Center at Kings County Hospital,"
Stewart announced to enthusiastic applause.
Council Member Clarke added that when you walk down Brooklyn’s
Clarkson Avenue, you can see the fruits of their labor, due in large
part to the leadership of Leon who had the vision of what health care
could be like in Central Brooklyn.
"Our entire community is indebted to this extraordinary woman who
understood that being new to this country didn't mean we had to have an
inferior healthcare facility," Clarke stated. "Leon saw that Kings
County Hospital could become the flagship of the Family Health Network."
The gala also featured the steel pan orchestra Casym, a musical,
spoken word, and dance tribute by Shade Small, Tom Olin, and Michael
Manswell from Something Positive, and a moving rendition of "He’ll Do it
Again" sung by Angela Cooper, joined by Samuel Clarke and Hilton Samuel.
There was also a lovely presentation called "A Moment in the Garden of
Your Life" in which different colored roses were presented to Jean Leon
as symbolizing all the positive attributes that make
her who she is, as well as the giving of a framed poem written for the
occasion and incorporated into an art work created by Angela Cooper,
which was presented to her by Ruth Ogieste and Dr. Steven Kaner for the
Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Center.
In her response, Jean Leon said that she was very humbled and
grateful for all that people had done to show their appreciation for her
and for the hard work of so many others at the Network.
She said, too, that she was moved to see kindergarten friends, high
school buddies, nursing sisters, friends from college, and many others
she had worked with at various hospitals all there to share that
memorable occasion with her. "Each one of you left an indelible mark on
my life," Leon commented. "You have taught me many things and helped me
to grow as a person. Many of you have worked beside me and have been
pillars for me, including providing shoulders I’ve cried on. But we have
come through it all together and made the impossible possible."
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