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Musgrave Medal

Musgrave Medal Awards

Did you know the Musgrave Medal Awards have recognised outstanding contributions by Jamaicans to science since 1907?

The Musgrave Medal Award is awarded by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) in recognition of achievement in art, science and literature. One of the oldest such awards in the Western Hemisphere, it was conceived in 1889 and named in memory of Sir Anthony Musgrave, the founder of the Institute (1879) and the former Governor of Jamaica (1877 – 1883) who had died the previous year. The medal was designed by British sculptor, Alfred Toft and features the image of Sir Anthony Musgrave.

Originally, the medals were awarded as prizes in IOJ cultural competitions with the first medal being awarded for science in 1907. The medals are awarded in categories of gold, silver and bronze (and "special" for non-Jamaicans) but the first gold medal was not awarded until 1941 and the first Gold medal for a Jamaican scientist was awarded to Dr. Alfred Sangster in 1988. Although the awards are usually made annually, there are many years in which no awards are made and it is considered a significant honour to be conferred with a Musgrave Medal Award.

See the List of Musgrave Medal Awardees for eminence in Science  
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Professor Errol Morrison

Professor the Honourable, Errol Morrison is a retired medical doctor and endrocrinologist who specialised in the treatment and prevention of diabetes. He was born in 1945 and grew up in Vineyard Town later attending Exelsior High School where he excelled in both academics and athletics. His first degree in chemistry at the then University College of the West Indies led to an interest in biochemistry and he eventually won a scholarship to study medicine at the Royal University of Malta. On his return to Jamaica he focused on medical research in biochemistry and endocrinology which is the study of hormone-related conditions and their treatment, eventually obtaining his doctorate and professorships from The UWI in both fields. He is perhaps best known for his work on treating diabetes (a chronic disease related to the body's production and use of insulin - a hormone that regulates blood sugar). Diabetes is one of the world's most prevalent non-communicable diseases resulting in damage to the cardio-vascular system which can lead to blindness, strokes and heart-attacks. He co-founded the Diabetes Association of Jamaica (DAJ) in 1976 – it is a private, voluntary, non-profit, non-governmental organization which provides education on diabetes prevention and care as well as treatment of people with diabetes including kidney dialysis, foot care and pharmaceutical services, all under one roof. He spearheaded the formation of the Diabetes Association of the Caribbean in 1982 and it now has 26 member countries. He has sourced significant funding for diabetes treatment through these associations and the University of the West Indies Diabetes Outreach Programme which he launched in 1991. Professor Morrison also worked with the Pan-American Health Organisation in responding to the emerging pandemic of type 2 diabetes in 1996. In academia he has served as the Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean, School for Graduate Studies & Research at the University of the West Indies and as President of the University of Technology. In the private sector, he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross of Jamaica, Ltd. He has also served as the Executive Director of the National Council on Science and Technology. He was awarded a Gold Musgrave Medal in 1998 and conferred with the Order of Jamaica in 2001. He published his autobiography, "Growing Tall, Pursuing Excellence" in 2019.

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