📬 Postcard from WONCA 2025 – Snapshots of Lisbon
A Story in Images, Memories, and Magic
Lisbon greeted us like an old friend—warm, colorful, full of music, and unexpectedly emotional. WONCA 2025 was more than a conference; it was a reunion of hearts, a celebration of excellence, and a shared reminder of why Family Medicine remains humanity’s most compassionate specialty.
As we stepped into the rhythm of the city, these snapshots became our living postcard.
✨ Reunion at the Lisbon Conference Centre
Marvin, Tania, Marie-Jo and Paula hugging
The very first moments set the tone. At the entrance, hugs flew freely—Marvin, Tania, Marie-Jo, and Paula—all wrapped in the joy of reconnection. After a year of virtual planning, emails, and late-night discussions, finally meeting in person felt like a homecoming.
Dr. Kathleen Sangster-Singh and Dr. Aldyth Buckland
“I am a hugger,” she reminded everyone, and Lisbon was more than ready for warm embraces.
Caribbean group meet-up for supper after opening ceremony WONCA 2025
🌍 WWPWFM Pre-Conference: Passing the Torch
WWPWFM Pre-Conference (Elizabeth, Karen, Lucy, Hina)
From left to right stood the women who shaped the movement:
Elizabeth Reji, outgoing Chair—Karen Flegg, outgoing WONCA President—Lucy Candib, honorary member—and Hina Jawaid, the newly appointed Chair of the Working Party.
Their smiles carried legacy, accomplishment, and momentum for the future.
The North American Region received a special award—Outstanding Achievements as a Working Party.
We were celebrated for membership growth, collaboration, and commitment, and even presented to the other six WONCA regions on how we achieved it. The applause was heartfelt; the pride was ours.
North America Region Award Presentation
🌱 Planetary Health Pre-Conference Workshop
Planetary Health Workshop (Ozden, Sankha, you; Tamica and Seni joining virtually)
This workshop felt like standing at the intersection of medicine and the future.
Outgoing president Ozden stood on the left; the incoming president, Sankha, on the right—and in between, our regional voices.
Tamica and Seni joined virtually, proving that distance cannot weaken dedication.
🎨 Lisbon’s Airport Murals – Art in Motion
Lisbon welcomed us with splashes of color even before we touched the city.
The airport walls were alive—murals of culture, history, and imagination. Each stroke of paint whispered, “Welcome to a city that breathes art.”
More murals stood proudly as we walked further—each one a quiet invitation to explore.
🏙 Evening in Lisbon – A View from the Apartment
7:45 pm traffic view from apartment window
From the window at 7:45 pm, the city slowed to an exhale.
The traffic thinned, lights shimmered like scattered jewels, and Lisbon’s evening settled into a peaceful hum.
It was the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and whisper gratitude for the privilege of being here.
🎶 WONCA 2025 – Opening Ceremony
The ceremony began with music, movement, and emotion. Lisbon delivered an atmosphere that felt both celebratory and sacred.
You could feel the heartbeat of the global family medicine community pulsing through the hall.
🇯🇲 Caribbean Delegation in Lisbon
President Marvin and Secretary Tania proudly stood among the Caribbean attendees—a small but powerful representation of resilience, excellence, and unity.
Our presence echoed through the conference centre:
The Caribbean is here.
The Caribbean is contributing.
The Caribbean is rising.
🎵 Musical Moments & Warm Words
Aldyth, Tania, and musicians
Dr. Viviana, Aldyth, and musicians
The music filled the hall with warmth, and Dr. Viviana delivered a beautiful thank-you speech in Portuguese, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the musicians.
Her gestures, her tone—every part of her showed pure joy.
✨ A Surprise from Home (Jamaica) – Usain Bolt in Lisbon
While waiting for the tram, Aldyth spotted an ad featuring Jamaica’s own Usain Bolt at the bus stop outside the Lisbon Conference Centre.
A piece of home, shining proudly across the world.
It felt like Jamaica was cheering her on.
🏆 WONCA Awards & Inauguration Ceremony, 2025
The hall glowed under the grandeur of the WONCA Awards and Inauguration Ceremony. Anticipation filled the air as the global community honored excellence from every region.
🌟 WONCA 5-Star Doctor – A Caribbean Triumph
Dr. Aldyth on stage, 5-Star Doctor 2024 announcement
The stage is being set
Group of 2024 Regional Awardees
WONCA 5 Star Doctor (Regional Awards) for 2024 From left to right: *North America Region Dr. Aldyth Buckland (Jamaica) *Europe Region Dr. Nato Shengelia (Georgia) *Africa Region Dr. Dan Abubakar (Nigeria) *Iberoamericana Region- CIMF Representative for Dr. Maria Inez Padula Anderson ( Brazil) *Eastern Mediterranean Region Representative for Dr. Maisa Al Kiyumi (Oman) *South Asia Region (Absent) Dr. Sanath Hettige ( Sri Lanka) *Asia Pacific Region (Absent) Dr. Karin Estepa - Garcia (Philippines)
Aldyth & Tania at Lisbon Conference Centre
WONCA 5 Star Doctors (Region) 2024 Dr. Nato Shengelia for Europe and Dr. Aldyth
Buckland for North America Region
Aldyth & Kathleen Sangster-Singh
And then—our moment.
The announcement rang out:
“WONCA 5-Star Doctor, North America Region…
Dr. Aldyth Buckland.”
The hall erupted. Caribbean pride soared.
Beside her stood Dr. Tania Whitby-Best, WONCA North America Region President—beaming.
Two shining stars from CCFP:
✨ Dr. Aldyth Buckland – 5 Star Doctor (North America Region)
✨ Dr. Kathleen Sangster-Singh – Montegut Scholar (North America Region)
It was history.
It was legacy.
It was a moment we will carry forever.
💌 Closing the Postcard
Lisbon gave us more than a conference.
It gave us laughter, art, music, sisterhood…
…and a powerful reminder that the Caribbean continues to shine brightly on the world stage of Family Medicine.
Until the next WONCA, may this postcard remind us that we are part of something bigger—
a global community… united in care, compassion, and commitment.
With pride from Lisbon,
2025.
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