3 days ago
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Twenty-five Belizeans were recognised for their contributions to national development during the Tribute to Belizean Patriots ceremony held last night at the foot of the historic Swing Bridge in Belize City. Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam and Prime Minister John Briceño joined Cabinet ministers, diplomats, relatives and other guests for the event, which formed part of activities marking Belize’s forty-fifth anniversary of Independence. The ceremony included the conferral of the title of National Hero for the first time since 2008. The late Gwendolyn “Madam Liz” Lizarraga received the honour posthumously for her work in national development, political leadership and women’s empowerment. Her grandson, Victor Lizarraga, accepted the award following a video tribute for Miss Liz.
Six people connected to the Independence Secretariat were awarded the Order of Belize for their role in the work leading up to Belize’s Independence in 1981. They were the late Vernon Harrison Courtenay, the late Sir Alexander Hunter, Ambassador Robert “Bobby” Leslie, former Deputy Prime Minister Florencio Marin Senior, Sherlie Harvey McSweeny and former Prime Minister Said Musa. Captain Howell Grange received the Medal of Valour for his actions during the April 2025 aircraft hijacking. Despite suffering ten stab wounds, Grange continued protecting the people aboard and managed to land the aircraft safely at the Philip Goldson International Airport. The Order of Distinction was presented to Dr. Adrian Coye for his contribution to healthcare and medicine. Dr. Coye’s daughter spoke about the example he has set both at home and throughout his medical career.
Dr. Coye’s Daughter: “He’s just an incredible person. He is so hardworking. There were even times in my childhood where I didn’t even get to see him ‘cause I knew he was at the hospital serving the people. Anytime there was a hurricane, I knew that my dad was one of the people that was working at the hospital. Whenever there was any kind of big accident happening, I knew that my dad would most likely be there assisting people. My father is just someone who would put his country before a lot of things, and the health of his country before a lot of things. And I’m very proud of him. I’m very, very proud of him. I’m trying not to get too emotional about it but yeah, my dad is one of the most selfless, driven, hardworking people I think I’ll ever meet in my entire life. And I’m so grateful he’s my father and he has given me such a great example to follow and to look up to.”
Dr. Coye is Belize’s first cardiothoracic surgeon. He established the country’s first Cardiothoracic Surgery Service at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and led the development of open-heart surgery in Belize. Through that work, 110 open-heart operations and about one thousand other surgical procedures have been performed locally. He also helped build a team of specialists and improve the equipment and facilities needed to handle complex heart cases. His decision to build that service in Belize came with personal sacrifice. In 2010, Dr. Coye was offered a fellowship in paediatric cardiac surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. He declined because it would have delayed his return home and the development of the local cardiothoracic programme. Dr. Coye has served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Medical Services at the KHMHA. He now serves as Deputy Director of Medical Services and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Since 2024, he has also served as Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences at the University of Belize School of Medicine. His work has included cardiovascular outreach in every district and helping to strengthen Belize’s medical workforce. Dr. Coye received the Order of the British Empire in 2014 and the UWI Alumni Belize Professional Excellence Award in 2022. Meritorious awards were also presented to people recognised for their service in education, healthcare, agriculture, conservation, Indigenous rights, culture, sports and community development. Several awards were presented posthumously and accepted by relatives. The ceremony featured performances by the Belize Defence Force Band and the University of Belize Chorale. It ended with an official photograph of the awardees alongside the Governor General and the Prime Minister./
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