Diagnostic imaging equipment upgrade improves quality and reliability of service

Wednesday 26 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board announced today that it is undertaking a programme of replacing or upgrading aging diagnostic imaging equipment at KEMH, following increasing issues with repairs and maintenance impacting imaging services.

Modalities being replaced include x-ray, CT, MRI, nuclear imaging and ultrasound. This equipment is at or beyond its expected lifecycle.

BHB Chief of Radiology Dr Daniel Stovell comments: “People will be aware that increasing repair and maintenance issues have impacted services over the last couple of years, so I’m extremely happy to see our replacement and upgrade programme begin. We are the only 24/7 emergency diagnostic service in Bermuda and people who come through our doors on the worst day of their life need the best possible diagnostic equipment available to properly diagnose what is wrong.”

“At BHB, we see some of the most complex illnesses and diseases on island, and our CT service supports the radiation therapy at Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre,” adds Dr Stovell. “Our imaging services are truly a community resource and now the equipment is not only reliable, but is faster, uses less contrast and radiation and produces the best possible quality images.”

BHB Manager of Imaging Services Terricca Smith notes: “Our diagnostic imaging equipment is absolutely critical across many services, from emergency and inpatient to outpatient diagnostics. It helps our clinical teams and community physicians diagnose and treat everything from strokes and cancer to broken bones and heart disease. We have extended the life of much of our equipment with the support of our vendor and our amazing internal biomedical engineering team. This reflects the challenging economic times we are in, but the equipment now needs replacing and upgrading. We are really excited about being able to give our local community access to a high-quality diagnostic service that is available around the clock. This is a service of which the whole island can be extremely proud.”

To date, the MRI and a CT and x-ray machine have been replaced or upgraded. An upgraded x-ray and new CT machine are in the process of being installed and the new ultrasound machines are now operational. Later this year the x-ray at the Urgent Care Centre and the nuclear imaging equipment will be replaced.

BHB CFO Arthur Ebbin advises: “The payment structure and cost discounts given by the vendor are incredibly helpful. It is a critical purchase for the hospital on behalf of the Bermuda community, who all benefit from having the highest quality diagnostics available to them.”

To make the replacement programme more affordable, BHB has structured payments to the vendor over time. The $12 million, five-year investment includes a comprehensive package of replacements, upgrades, installation and ongoing service. Philanthropic support, through the efforts of the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation, will be essential to making this programme a reality.

BHB introduces two new oncologists

Wednesday 12 March 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is very pleased to introduce to the community its two new oncologists, who recently joined BHB.

Dr Dagmara Poprawski and Dr Bhanu Bandlamudi joined BHB in February and are now seeing patients.

Acting Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams comments: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Dr Poprawski and Dr Bandlamudi to Bermuda and BHB. They are highly qualified oncologists who will be a great addition to the oncology team. Their experience and expertise are going to be of great benefit to our patients. They join Dr Alisha Tucker in the Oncology team. This means we now have three fulltime oncologists available and can offer our usual in- and outpatient oncology services.

“I would also like to thank our community partners for their continued collaboration and support working to maximise oncology care provision in Bermuda, especially the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and PALS.”

Dr Poprawski joins BHB from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Saudi Arabia, where she worked as a medical oncology consultant from October 2020, mainly within the King Abdullah Center for Oncology & Liver Disease. Among her previous positions, she served as a senior medical oncologist and chief investigator for the Northern Adelaide and Mt Gambier Hospital in Australia.

Having gained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1992 from the University of Adelaide, Dr Poprawski also has a graduate diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene and a master’s degree in clinical tropical medicine from Mahidol University in Thailand. Dr Proprawski achieved her certificate in geriatric oncology from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.

Dr Proprawski is a member and fellow of many societies and colleges, including the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, European Society of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Group of Australia and Private Cancer Clinicians of Australia. She is a member of the editorial group of QPW Cancer Journal, a member of the Emirates Oncology Society, and vice chair of the Exercise in Oncology Subgroup of Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.

Dr Bandlamudi joins BHB from Subha Comprehensive Cancer Care in India, where he worked as a consultant in medical oncology and radiation oncology from February 2020. He previously worked in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttar Pradesh, India.

In 2011, Dr Bandlamudi gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada. He achieved a postgraduate medical degree (MD) in radiation oncology in 2016 from Kasturba Medical College, Manipa, and a specialised Doctor of Medicine in medical oncology from Jawaharial Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in 2019.
Dr Bandlamudi is a Member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology, American Society Radiation Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology, and Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology.

Deadline for BHB summer student programme one week away

Wednesday 19 February 2025: Individuals who would like to work at Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) over the summer are reminded that the deadline is Friday 28 February.

Preference is given to university/college applicants who are studying nursing (as long as students have started their clinical rotation), accounting, allied health, culinary arts, diagnostic imaging, finance, laboratory technology, mental health, pharmacy, rehabilitation services and substance abuse counselling.

Manager – HR Programmes Asia Ming-Raynor comments: “We want to encourage students to apply ahead of the deadline. There is usually a lot of interest in working at BHB and we design a programme that ensures students will have a fulfilling experience with us. We are looking for students who want to work in healthcare, but we also want to encourage students in areas such as finance, accounting and culinary arts. It is a unique experience working in these support services for a hospital and these professions are still critical for the running of the organisation.”

Students can apply by going to the Work At BHB page on bermudahospitals.bm. Students will need to include a cover letter, resumé and latest school transcript as part of their application.

‘Understanding Prostate Health’ booklet and PSA guidelines launched

Tuesday 11 February 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board today launched an ‘Integrated Health Care: Understanding Prostate Health’ booklet and PSA testing guidelines as part of the outcome of work undertaken to develop an integrated prostate cancer care pathway in Bermuda.

The booklet aims to provide information to help men better understand prostate issues, prevention, risk and treatment for many prostate conditions including cancer, in Bermuda. Click here to read the booklet.

The PSA testing guidelines establish a standardised approach in Bermuda.  Click here to read the guidelines.

The Minster of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP, comments: “Prostate cancer is the number one cancer affecting men. In fact, it makes up 33% of cancer diagnoses in men in Bermuda with over 50 new cases identified in Bermuda each year. It needs our attention now because mortality rates in Bermuda for prostate cancer are twice that compared to the OECD average. It is critical we understand and improve our care pathways for prostate cancer so we can deliver the most effective screening and the best, most efficient treatment for men who are diagnosed.”

CEO & President of BHB Scott Pearman said: “This integrated prostate cancer pathway follows on from similar work completed for breast cancer that has seen improvements in the pathway for women. We are also working with Johns Hopkins on pathways for trauma and burns care, which we hope will also improve the efficiency and effective of our trauma and burns response. The central purpose of the cancer pathways is about making a difference in the lives of people in Bermuda. We want to make screening more effective and available, to catch cancers as early as possible when there is the best chance of a full recovery.  We also want to raise awareness about risks and prevention, and to improve the care pathway for men diagnosed with prostate cancer so that we can improve outcomes and save lives.”

BHB Consultant Urologist and founder of the DailyMale charity, Dr Jonathan Makanjuola, noted: “I would specifically like to thank the following individual got validating the pathway and guidelines. Dr Fosker from the Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre for helping validate the pathway. Dr. Michael E. Czerwinski, Consultant Urologist, Island Urology Services. Dr. Michael E. Brooks, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Dynamic Urology Services. Dr. Jeff MacLeod and Dr. Adil Ladak, Island Health Services FPG. Dr. Kyjuan H. Brown, President, Bermuda Medical Doctors Association and Dr. Ayoola Oyinloye, Director of Population Health Innovation and Strategy, Bermuda Health Council.”

He added: “The message I’d like to leave you with today is that when detected early, most prostate issues, including cancer, are highly treatable, and men have a range of options to regain their health and peace of mind. So please read this guide if you are a man or to share with the men in your life.My hope is that this information will empower you to take charge of your prostate health and encourage you to make screenings a regular part of your wellness routine. Together, by staying informed and proactive, we can make a big difference in men’s health in Bermuda.”