THE BEGINNING
When and where did the company begin?
We started in 1968 at 8A Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5. The same location we are now.
Who founded the laboratory?
The laboratory was founded by Dr Donald Christian, a cardiologist and the first chairman; Dr Ernest Wells, a general practitioner; Felicity Lightbourne, a medical technologist, and Lester Woolery, a pharmacist.
Why was Caledonia Medical Laboratory founded?
As physicians, they had difficulty accessing 24hour diagnostic laboratory services and they decided to fill that void. Later, Dr Valentine Young and Leon Chin-Shue joined as directors.
What was the original staff complement like?
It was very small – Mrs Lightbourne, one other medical technologist, one bearer, one secretary, and one lab attendant. I joined in 1970 as a medical technologist.
What was the original vision and mission of the laboratory? Has it changed?
The vision was to provide the highest-quality laboratory service that is accessible 24 hours daily. This has remained the same over the years. Physicians consider Biomedical to be a reliable and accessible service provider in the industry. Accreditation and high standards was a goal from the early stages. Dr Valentine Young, a consultant pathologist in clinical chemistry at UWI, would monitor quality control.
When was the first ‘branch’ opened? How rapidly did growth move after that?
The first collection centre opened at 34 Old Hope Road in 1975. The second opened in Linstead in 1978. Since 1999, there has been a steady progression with an average two collection centres opening per year.