Dr. the Hon D.O. Smith receives OBE medal from His Excellency
Governor Frank Savage; at left is honouree's sponsor Mr. Audley Maduro
[GIS photo]

Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith and his wife, Mrs. Lorna Smith
with His Excellency Governor Frank Savage after the investiture ceremony
[GIS photo]

Dr. the Hon. Orlando Smith Receives OBE

In recognition of his long and devoted service to the community in the area of healthcare, Dr. Daniel Orlando Smith, MBE, stepped up the ranks and received another prestigious award from Her Majesty The Queen. He was one of two BV Islanders, the other being Mrs. Eugenie Todman-Smith, named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for 2000. He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). An investiture ceremony was held at Government House at Allamanda Estate, Beef Island, on Tuesday afternoon. His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Frank Savage, CMG, LVO, OBE, presided. The brief investiture ceremony for Dr. Smith was attended by his wife, Mrs. Lorna Smith, his mother and other family members, Deputy Chief Minister the Honourable Eileene Parsons, members of the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) in the Legislative Council and other well wishers. Deputy Governor Elton Georges read the Royal Warrant conferring the OBE on Dr. Smith. It was signed December 31st, 1999. Dr. Smith received his early education at the BVI Secondary School and then proceeded to the University of the West Indies to pursue studies in medicine. After completion of his undergraduate medical degree, Dr. Smith went to the United Kingdom to continue his studies in Surgery. He spent three years in the UK performing a wide range of surgical operations and he completed a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. After gaining valuable experience in the United Kingdom and in Barbados, he returned to the BVI in 1976, where he served as Surgeon (1976-1998) and Chief Medical Officer (1979-1995). Dr. Smith has also served on numerous charities and voluntary organizations including valuable terms as Chairman of the National Drug Advisory Council and Chairman of the BVI Medical and Dental Association. Dr. Smith continues to serve the public as a Surgeon in private practice. He is currently a Member of the Legislative Council and the Leader of the Opposition. The latest recipient of the OBE joins the fifty other members of the Virgin Islands community who have been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen.