Dr. Simone S.

Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
Personal Details

Full Name Simone Stephanie Spence

Date of Birth March 30, 1977

Place of Birth Savanna la mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica

Marital Single
Status

Current 3 Washington Drive, Kingston 10, Jamaica

Address

Mailing 3 Washington Drive, Kingston 10, Jamaica

Address

Phone Mobile: 876 448 6868 Work: 876 317 8668

E-mail ssspence2016@gmail.com
spences@moh.gov.jm

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
Objective To assist in the development of the field of public health in Jamaica and the
Caribbean

Education University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica

DrPH, September 2016 – present (in progress)

University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica

MPH, December 2008 Health Education/Promotion track

University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica

M.B.B.S., June 2004

University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica

B.Sc., June 1999

Skills Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point; SPSS, Stata

Work January 2017 – present

Experience Acting Director, Health Services Planning & Integration - Ministry of
Health
To develop, monitor and evaluate national health programmes for the
establishment and improvement of the health care services; and to develop
norms and standards to guide health care service delivery. Additionally, to
provide technical guidance to RHAs, Government Agencies/NGOs and
International Organizations. Key outputs include:
 The development of Operational Policies and Procedures
 Preparation of Monitoring Quality Assurance Reports
 Policy Advice and Development
 Provision of Professional guidance
 Facilitate International Health and Intersectoral Collaboration

Achievements:
 Provided leadership and management oversight to programmes relating
to Family Health, Health Services Support & Monitoring and Mental
Health

Chief Medical Officer – On occasion, provided coverage for the desk of the
Chief Medical Officer when on leave or duty travel.

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
December 2014 – present
Associate Lecturer at UWI, Department of Community Health &
Psychiatry
Work  Masters of Public Health programme – Family Health Module
Experience  Family Medicine programme - Family Health Module
Cont’d
September 2014 - present
Coordinator PROMAC (Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and
Child mortality) – Ministry of Health
Responsible for the successful implementation of the Project with due
application of relevant EU Contract Procedures for External Actions.
 Coordinated implementation of the all PROMAC activities in
conjunction with all relevant team members
 Reviewed the detailed Implementation Plan, inclusive of a detailed
Procurement Schedule and updated Project Implementation Timetable,
as needed.
 Reviewed and submitted for approval Programme Estimates
implementing the Project
 Oversee the preparation and implementation of annual visibility plans
for PROMAC in keeping with the EU’s Communication and Visibility
Manual
 Prepared and submit monthly progress reports on project
implementation
 Coordinated the activities of the Secretariat for the project Steering
Committee. This will include, inter alia, attendance to Steering
Committee meetings; formal presentation of the Project’s Progress
Reports and respond to queries and comments; review of minutes,
including follow up actions; and follow up on decisions taken by the
Steering Committee
 Reviewed and approved tender dossiers prepared by the TAT, and
contract dossiers as relevant for project implementation
 Coordinated the management of all tender processes for project
implementation, including management of guarantees, collection of
proof documents, tender correspondences etc.
 Coordinated the management of the technical implementation of
contracts as relevant for project implementation, ensuring that all
contractual terms and obligations are respected
 Coordinated and facilitated the development of contract documentation
including Service Contracts, Terms of Reference and Negotiation
Reports for the engagement of external consultants in full compliance
with the policies and procedures of the European Union
 Monitored the performance of contracted consultants against defined
project schedules and milestones

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
Achievements:
 Component 1: Successful contract award and signing for the Civil
Works to establish HDUs in Mandeville Regional, Victoria Jubilee and
Cornwall Regional Hospitals Bustamante Hospital for Children, St.
Ann's Bay and Spanish Town Hospitals

July 2014 – December 2016

Director, Family Health Services – Ministry of Health
To direct, monitor and evaluate the Family Health Services in developing and
executing policies and programmes designed to maintain and improve the
health of families in Jamaica as well as to promote and maintain an integrated
and well balanced health care delivery system which reflects the Ministry of
Health’s policies and priorities. Key outputs include:
 Preparation of monthly and quarterly reports
 Preparation of Annual Budget for the Unit
 Policy Advice and Formulation
 Professional and technical guidance provided to supervisees and field
officers
 Conduct In-service training
 Development of IEC material
 Intra/Inter-sectoral Collaboration
 Development of the Operational Plan for the Unit

Achievements:
 Collaborated with key team members in the planning and
implementation of National Maternal Mortality Review, MMR2
administration at 18 months (January 2015), Vaccine Cold Chain
Management, Implementation of web-based Vaccine Stock and Supplies
Management System (wVSSM), etc.

January 2013 to July 2014

Regional Technical Director, Actg. – Western Regional Health Authority, to

function as the Chief Technical Advisor to the Regional Director and the Board.
Also directs, monitors and coordinates all technical aspects of the development
and delivery of health services in the Region. Key outputs include:
 Technical inputs to strategic, corporate and operational plans
 Regional Surveillance System
 Clinical Effectiveness Programme
 Budget
 Technical Advice
 Norms, Standards, Protocols and Procedures to govern service delivery
 Policy recommendation

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
 Competent staff
 Technical and Performance reports

Achievements:
 Directed, coordinated and evaluated the development and utilization of
norms, standards, protocols and procedures to govern health services
delivery in the Regions, in tandem with national norms standards, in the
context of continuous quality improvement in the service, e.g.,
development of Quality Assurance SOP (standard operating
procedure)s manual (incomplete), led the establishment of QA
committees in the parishes, etc.

Regional Director – On occasion, provided coverage for the desk of the

Regional Director when on leave.

July 2011 to December 2012

Medical Officer (Health), Actg. – Hanover Health Services, charged to direct,

monitor and coordinate all technical aspects of the development and delivery of
health services in the parish, in accordance with government policies and
regulations, with the following key inputs:
 Management of Health programmes
 Technical Advice
 Performance and other reports
 Surveillance System
 Parish Emergency and Disaster Management programmes

Achievements:
 Mentored senior staff members in improving the analysis of the data
presented and quality of the reports submitted.

October 2010 to February 2012

Regional STI/HIV Programme Coordinator - Western Regional Health

Authority, charged to manage the comprehensive and holistic approach to the
HIV Prevention and the Treatment, Care and Support of Persons Living with
HIV/AIDS, with the following core functions:
 Planning, supervising and guiding the implementation of the STI/HIV
Prevention and Control Programme
 Providing technical support to the Western Regional Health Authority,
Parish Health Departments and Governmental and Non-Governmental

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
Organizations as well as Community Based organizations in the
execution of the National HIV/STI Programme project activities.
Achievements:
 Finalized design and implementation of PMTCT registers for use in
antenatal and paediatric clinics within the Region. This was facilitated
through CHAI and adopted nationally for implementation islandwide.

January 2009 to September 2010

Trainee Medical Officer (Health) - Western Regional Health Authority,

Westmoreland Health Department, with direct responsibility for curative
services, HIV/STI and CNCD programmes in the parish.

Achievements:
 Designed and implemented the use of a DM/HTN investigation
checklist to improve monitoring of CNCD patients at routine visits to
health centres.
 Developed in collaboration with the Health Education team, an
Accidental Poisoning brochure for use in the parish due the increased
number of cases being notified through public health surveillance.

September 2008 to December 2008

MPH HE/HP internship – St. Catherine Health Department

 Conducted needs assessment to facilitate the establishment of a
workplace wellness programme
 Participated in on-site HIV preceptorship programme at St. Jago Park
health centre
 Participated in several workshops on HIV treatment and care as well as
HIV stigma and discrimination

July 2005 to August 2007

District Medical Officer I – Western Regional Health Authority,

Westmoreland Health Department, performing routine clinical duties at the
various health centres in the parish. I was also involved in administrative duties
including programme planning for CNCD.

Achievements:
 Collaborated and participated with the Health Education/Health
Promotion team on the Health Information programme for a local radio
station.

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
July 2005 – August 2007

Worked part time at the Savanna-la-mar Public General Hospital in both the
Accident & Emergency Department and Paediatrics.

July 2004 – June 2005

Internship period – successfully completed at Cornwall Regional Hospital,

Western Regional Health Authority.

Conference S. Spence D. Holder-Nevins, “Primary Prevention: Adolescents and CNCDs”

Abstract Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI, 17th Annual Research Conference, Jamaica.
and Poster November 2008.

S. Spence D. Holder-Nevins, “Primary Prevention: Adolescents and CNCDs”

Caribbean Health Research Council Conference, St. Lucia. April 2009.

Activities 2017
and February: Contributor to article titled ‘Inspire | Case study from
Achievemen Jamaica. How legal and policy frameworks support Maternal
ts Death Surveillance & Response (MDSR)

September: Co-author of the following paper submitted to British

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology “The Evolving
Contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases to Maternal
Mortality in Jamaica, 1998-2015: A Population Based Study.”

2015 - 2017

Governing Council Member for the International Association of

Immunization Managers

2012

February: Supervisory Management Course facilitated by MIND

June: Epidemiology in Action Course facilitated by Emory &
CDC

2010 – 2012

Served as the secretary of the Medical Officers’(Health)

secretariat
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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP

2011

Participated in the Advanced Monitoring and Evaluation workshop

sponsored and facilitated by CHRC and the University of Mexico

2010

Regional HIV/STI Prevention &Control Programme for

outstanding performance

2009

Masters of Public Health with distinction, UWI

2008

Ivy McGhie Award for exemplary work in HE/HP

2007

Doctor of the year award

Westmoreland Public Health Services

2005 – 2007

Active role in the health department’s health education

programme particularly in the weekly broadcast on a local radio
station.

Future To serve at the highest level of public health leadership in the Ministry of
ambition Health, Jamaica (short term); serve at the PAHO, WHO or the UN (long term).

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Dr. Simone S. Spence
BSc, MBBS, MPH HE/HP
References Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell, MO(H), St. James Public Health Services,
Creek St., P.O. Box 472, Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica

Dr. Desmalee Nevins, Lecturer, Department of Community Health &

Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica

Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, PAHO Sub-Regional Advisor for Immunization,

Jamaica

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
Personal
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Motivation
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a
habit.” Aristotle

These two motivational quotes, I think, embodies my spirit and enthusiasm for
what I’m doing now and hope to achieve in the future. A very wise teacher
once said, “Never settle for mediocrity in whatever you do but strive for
excellence at all times.” The impression that statement left me with is that in
my own way, I can make a difference. So I push forward, even though the road
is definitely not easy but is treacherous and steep. Above all else what keeps
me grounded is, “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

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