Head of DEHDeparts
Teresa A.Kuczynski
Chief Environmental Health Officer for theCayman Islands, Teresa A. Kuczynski, will not be renewing hersecond contract and will be leaving her post, effective 23 April,to become the district manager for the Addison County Solid WasteManagement District in Vermont, US.
Mrs. Kuczynski joined the Department ofEnvironmental Health (DEH) team in 1997, and many innovationshave been initiated since then. "The changes I have witnessedin the DEH have been fundamental, affecting all aspects of howwe function," comments Mrs. Kuczynski.
"First and foremost, a system to monitorstaff performance and improve customer service was created,"she says, adding that the department created databases, internalprocesses and filing systems to support a wide variety of activitiesin the solid waste management section and in environmental healthprogrammes. As a result, major improvements occurred in theseareas.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry ofPlanning, Communications, Works and Information Technology, KearneyGomez says, "Many 'firsts' have been accomplished for theCayman Islands during Mrs. Kuczynski's stay." He recallsthe food laboratory, several training and monitoring programmes,the customer service hotline and the solid waste curriculum inschools.
"Major studies and reports in the areasof solid-waste management and cemetery management were also tabled,"comments Mr. Gomez. He adds that a landfill site in Cayman Bracwas purchased; several machinery upgrades were done; landfilland cemetery capacities were extended; and a draft environmentalhealth law, including food hygiene and safety regulations, wascompleted. "Mrs. Kuczynski's drive and determination certainlyplayed a large roll in each of these accomplishments," heconcludes.
In addition to her many responsibilities,Mrs. Kuczynski also served on various committees, including thePetroleum Storage and Handling Committee, the Technical SteeringCommittee on Pesticide Control and the Cancer Study Steering Committee.
Mrs. Kuczynski says that everyone contributedto the accomplishments the department made. "What a productivetime it was for DEH! We all worked very hard and I was fortunateto have a great staff, a great ministry and lots of support,"she explains.
Although she will miss Cayman, Mrs. Kuczynskisays that she has gained a great deal from her experience. "Livingon an island magnifies the challenges that already exist in ourindustry, such as access to recycling markets and the disposalof waste oil. I have learned that with commitment and perseverance,one can accomplish a great deal despite location and limited resources,"she concludes.
The minister responsible for DEH, Hon. LinfordPierson says, "Mrs. Kuczynski served Cayman exceptionallywell. She is a very intelligent, hard-working individual who putsherself and her staff to the test and continues to succeed. Theministry staff is sad to see her go and we wish her the best forthe future," he adds.