Bermuda Hospitals Board awards $152,000 in scholarships

Thursday 9 July 2026: Bermuda Hospitals Board is pleased to announce it has awarded a total of $152,000 in scholarships to 12 local students. In a ceremony held this morning, the students were presented certificates of their awards in front of their families and BHB leaders. Twelve students each received a BHB general scholarship in their speciality area, valued up to $15,000 for one year. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution approved by a relevant licensing council and maintain at least a 3.0 or equivalent grade point average.

Four of the general scholarship recipients are medical students. Anna Francoeur was awarded $15,000 for one year while Jerssiah Hassell-Belboda, Sarah Vijaykumar and Chiyaro Wedderburn were each awarded $10,000 for a year.

Zekiah Lewis received the Dr Keith Cunningham Medical Technologist scholarship in the amount of $15,000 for one year.

Five students pursuing careers in nursing received awards. The Dashunte Furbert scholarship recipient was Christopher Bean for his nursing studies at Bermuda College. He received $5,000 for one year. Mishale Corday, Naziah Robinson, Alaysia Swan and Zhi Williams each received one-year awards of $15,000.

BHB Allied Health scholarships for one year were awarded as follows: $15,000 to Keimani Trott who is studying speech and hearing science and $12,000 to medical lab science student, Kimora-Lee Bean.

“The calibre of submissions from this year’s awardees was impressive,” said BHB Chief People Officer, Paul Jones. “I encourage our student recipients to seize the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience and ultimately return to BHB to share their expertise.”

BHB Acting CEO and Chief of Nursing Judy Richardson said: “Healthcare offers exceptional opportunities for both immediate employment and long-term career growth. We are proud to support these 12 scholarship recipients as they pursue their goal of becoming healthcare professionals and contribute to the future of care in Bermuda.

“As Chief of Nursing I am especially excited to see the high calibre of students pursuing studies in this area. We can offer immediate employment and guarantee career opportunities over the next five years, for newly qualified registered nurses who demonstrate the required competencies.

“As Bermuda faces high rates of chronic disease and a growing senior population, the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to increase. This creates strong career prospects for compassionate, capable graduates who are committed to serving the community at home in Bermuda.

“We are pleased to invest in educating our scholarship recipients. We know that doing so helps ensure Bermuda has the healthcare workforce needed to care for generations to come.”

Student biographies

MEDICAL STUDENTS

Anna Francoeur

College/University: University of Warwick, UK

Anna is pursuing a doctorate in medicine at the University of Warwick. She says she hopes “to become a holistic and adaptable physician capable of navigating the evolving needs of patient-centered care.”

She notes that she has not chosen a speciality as yet but adds: “I am deeply committed to medical leadership and helping future students decide to pursue medicine through community outreach and mentorship.

“Receiving this scholarship empowers me to focus entirely on my medical education, ensuring I build a strong foundation to serve both my future patients and the next generation of medical professionals.”

Jerssiah Hassell-Belboda

College/University: St George’s University, Grenada

Jerssiah is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine at St George’s University. She wants to become “a compassionate and skilled physician dedicated to improving the lives of others.”

“I am committed to providing patient-centered care while continuing to grow through lifelong learning and service, “ she says. “One of my greatest goals is to give back to the community that has supported and believed in me throughout my educational journey.”

Sarah Vijaykumar

College/University: University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Sarah is a third-year student at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus where she is pursuing her doctorate in medicine.

Sarah says: “My aspiration in life is to become a compassionate and dedicated physician, committed to making a meaningful difference to patients and the community I work for. I am interested in cardiology and am looking forward to gaining more clinical experience …. I am eager to learn more about other specialties that may interest me in my medical training journey.

“Ultimately my goal is to use the skills and knowledge that I have gained to give back to Bermuda – the community that has supported me in my journey towards becoming a doctor.”

Chiyaro Wedderburn

College/University:  Howard University, Washington DC

Chiyaro says: “I am currently a medical student at Howard University College of Medicine with a strong interest in providing high-quality, patient-centered care. My long-term goal is to return to Bermuda and contribute to the health and well-being of the community through clinical practice, medical research, mentorship and service.

“I am particularly interested in addressing chronic diseases and improving access to healthcare through evidence-based medicine and community engagement.”

ALLIED HEATH SCIENCES STUDENTS

Kimora-Lee Bean

College/University:  Andrews University, USA

Kimora is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Science at Andrews University in Michigan.

She says: “My career aspirations are rooted in my passion for the science behind disease diagnosis and patient care, with the goal of becoming a medical doctor specializing in pathology.

“Through my current undergraduate studies in Medical Laboratory Science, I have developed a strong interest in histology and anatomic pathology, where understanding disease at the cellular level is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

“I am deeply inspired by my experiences that have given me firsthand insight into the healthcare needs in Bermuda and have strengthened my commitment to contributing to its continued improvement.”

Zekia Lewis

College/University: University of Tennessee, USA

Zekia says: “My goal is to return to Bermuda after graduation and work in the anatomical pathology laboratory. I hope to use my dual certification in cytology and histotechnology to support patient care and help address the staffing needs within the healthcare system.

“As I gain experience, I would like to advance into a leadership role within the laboratory. Long-term, I am interested in pursuing further training in pathology, with the possibility of becoming a pathologist in the future.”

Keimani Trott

College/University:  Arizona State University, USA

Keimani aspires to be a speech and language pathologist. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University, he plans to also pursue graduate studies in the field.

Keimani says: “I am passionate about helping individuals overcome communication challenges and improving their quality of life through effective communication.

Ultimately, I hope to return to Bermuda and contribute to addressing the need for speech-language pathology services within our community.”

NURSING STUDENTS

Christopher Bean

College/University:  Bermuda College

Christopher is in the associate’s degree Nursing programme at Bermuda College.

He says: “My current career aspiration is to continue developing as a healthcare professional with a strong focus on mental health, emergency care and community wellness. I hope to use my education and experience to help improve access to compassionate, high-quality care for people in Bermuda, especially those who may struggle to find the right support.

“Long term, I aspire to become a leader in healthcare who helps strengthen systems, reduce stigma, and create better pathways for individuals and families to receive care. This scholarship supports my goal of growing both clinically and professionally so I can make a meaningful contribution to Bermuda’s healthcare sector.”

 Mishale Corday

College/University: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, USA

Mishale says: “I chose to pursue a nursing degree because I have always been passionate about helping others, and I was inspired by the profound impact nurses can have through both their skills and compassion.

“In nursing, even the smallest detail can make a life-changing difference, and I aspire to become the kind of nurse who notices what others might miss, particularly in trauma care.

After completing my studies, I hope to become a registered nurse and eventually use my experience to provide quality healthcare to underserved communities both locally and internationally. I am passionate about healthcare accessibility, cultural learning, and exploring the world, with the goal of making a meaningful difference wherever my career takes me.”

Naziah Robinson

College/University: Birmingham City University, UK

Naziah says: “As a future nurse, I aspire to provide compassionate and dignified care while continuing to grow in my clinical knowledge and professional skills. I am passionate about supporting patients through challenging moments and contributing positively to their health and wellbeing.

“My goal is to make a meaningful difference within Bermuda’s healthcare field through patient advocacy, safe care and support for a healthier community”

 Alaysia Swan

College/University: Delaware State University, USA

Alaysia says: “My current career aspirations include completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and gaining valuable experience in either mental health or community health nursing. As a future nurse, I aim to serve as a mentor, guiding individuals who are passionate about pursuing a career in the healthcare profession.

“Additionally, I aspire to advocate for those lacking the resources to access adequate healthcare services.

“Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact across Bermuda, contributing positively to the health and well-being of the community.”

 Zhi Williams

College/University: University of Worcester, UK

Zhi says: “I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree – a lifelong dream of mine. My primary interests are paediatrics or maternity nursing, as I am drawn to supporting children, mothers and families during some of the most important stages of life.

“Through my educational and clinical experiences, I hope to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of my community. I look forward to building a career that combines clinical excellence, advocacy and lifelong learning.”

-ends-

Archives