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PHILIPSBURG--The first-St. Maarten-born cardiologist Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake took the oath of office before Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt on Friday.
Bird-Lake is part of a specialist rotational programme established by St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) with the Netherlands. She will be at the hospital for one month.
Groeneveldt stated on Sunday that it was "a very proud moment" for the St. Maarten community. "I have administered the oath on several occasions before, but it was the first to a local-born cardiologist. It gave me a lot of pride.
"Mrs. Bird-Lake should be looked at as a role model for our young people to follow and aim to achieve by reaching for the stars. Put your mind to become something and make it meaningful," he said.
Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs attended the oath-taking ceremony.
Also present for the ceremony were Dr. Bird-Lake's husband and her mother Veronica Lake.
"I am very proud of Emiko Bird-Lake, being the first born-St. Maartener cardiologist. She is a role model for our young people. Hard work and determination will allow you to achieve what you set out to do in life," said Gumbs in his capacity of Acting Minister of Public Health.