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BHB awards $190,000 in scholarships

Monday 29 July 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board is pleased to announce it has awarded a total of $190,000 in scholarships to 12 local students.

In a ceremony on Tuesday 16 July, the students were presented certificates of their awards in front of their families and BHB leaders.

Ryan Topple, a medical student, received the top award – the GlaxoSmithKline Scholarship of $20,000 for two years.

The other 11 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.

Six of the general scholarship recipients are medical students and received BHB Medicine Scholarships. Nia Dailey, Storm Gibbons, Keesha Roberts and Veronica-Swan-DeGraff were each awarded $15,000, while Jahmir Celestine and J’hordon Emery received $10,000 each.

Studying physiotherapy, Tre Outerbridge received the 2024 BHB Allied Health Scholarship of $15,000. Kyra Butterfield was awarded a $15,000 BHB Psychology Scholarship.

BHB Nursing Scholarships of $15,000 were awarded to Alaiyah Hayward and Izeya Wainwright, while nursing student Sarae Botelho received $10,000.

“We had outstanding submissions from each of our 12 recipients in their applications for these scholarships,” said BHB Vice President of People Angela Fraser-Pitcher. “As the head of human resources, I urge our students to learn all they can and return to BHB to share their expertise. We wish them well.”

BHB CEO & President Scott Pearman said: “BHB is proud to assist these 12 deserving students. The health sector represents tremendous opportunity for immediate and future job growth, and we are pleased to support the current cohort of scholarship recipients in realising their dream of becoming healthcare professionals.

“BHB can offer immediate employment and guarantee employment over the next five years to newly qualified registered nurses with demonstrated competencies. Few employers and professions can provide such guarantees.

“Fuelled by an aging population and high rates of chronic disease, the demand for a broad cross section of healthcare professionals ensures that compassionate and highly capable students can secure a career in health.

“Health sector employment is open to traditional students matriculating from high school to college and mature students seeking a second career. Anchored by programmes offered locally at the Bermuda College, there are great educational options for those that cannot relocate overseas.

“For students who pursue their education overseas, we look forward to them eventually returning home to fulfil their commitment to our community.

“I thank the scholarship recipients for investing in themselves to serve the future needs of our community by taking care of Bermuda.”

 

Student biographies

Ryan Topple

College/University: University of Warwick, UK

“Having graduated with my honours degree in medical sciences from Dalhousie University, I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Warwick in the UK in September,” says Ryan.

He works as an advanced EMT at BHB during his university breaks and says he is thankful for the support of his mentors and colleagues in the Emergency Department.

“Over the next few years, I plan on exploring different medical and surgical specialties,” he adds. “I look forward to eventually returning to Bermuda as a doctor at KEMH.”

 

Nia Daley

College/University: Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK

“I am interested in pursuing a career in dermatology or general surgery,” says Nia. “I hope to make meaningful contributions towards equitable health by utilising public health in my career.

“My passion for community involvement and representation drives my goals of working with underserved populations both locally and globally.”

 

Storm Gibbons

College/University: St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

“As a future physician with a profound interest in psychiatry, it is my goal to provide well-rounded care to patients, with a focus on addressing their mental health needs comprehensively,” says Storm.

“I look forward to staying informed on the latest advancements in medicine, continually honing my skills to offer the highest standard of treatment.

“I aspire to be a doctor who not only excels in clinical practice but advocates for accessible and intersectional treatment within our community.”

 

 

Keesha Roberts

College/University: St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

Keesha says: “I want to become a world-renowned physician who is going to shift the paradigm of how health is managed and afforded, firstly in my society and then the world around it.

“I have seen how the rising costs of healthcare have had a massively negative impact on our community and I cannot wait to be a part of a system that wants to change this. If education is a right, why is equal access to healthcare a privilege? A question I want to work towards abolishing.”

 

 

Veronica Swan-DeGraff

College/University: St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

Veronica says: “I have a passion for public health and advocating for young people through my work in the community as a student clinical coordinator for the Daily Male Health Clinic and through my organisation Bermuda Youth Connect.

“As a first-year medical student, I am very keen on specialising in emergency medicine, however, I am open to exploring what other specialties have to offer.”

 

 

Jahmir Celestine

ge/University: St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

Jahmir says: “My career aspirations are deeply rooted in earning the ‘Doctor’ title and making a meaningful impact on my community. Becoming a doctor is very meaningful to me because it allows me to come back to Bermuda to help my community with the shortage of medical professionals.

“I am committed to providing quality healthcare to all Bermudians, including those that cannot afford healthcare. I am grateful that BHB has awarded me this scholarship as it will help bring me closer to achieving these goals.”

 

J’hordan Emery

College/University: St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

J’hordan says: “My career aspiration to become a surgeon is driven by my profound love for anatomy. This passion was further strengthened during a transformative trip to Kenya, where I had the opportunity to assist surgeons in the operating theatre. The hands-on experience and exposure to different surgical procedures deepened my commitment to this field.

“I am excited to combine my enthusiasm for anatomy with the dynamic and impactful field of surgery.”

 

Alaiyah Hayward

College/University: University of Manchester, UK

“After graduating from the University of Manchester with my Bachelor of Nursing (honours) in 2025, I am looking to pursue further education and obtain my Bachelor of Medicine (MB ChB) within a discipline in women’s health,” says Alaiyah.

She says her motivation to work in this area came after reading a paper on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health in the UK.

“My passion was reinforced while volunteering abroad as part of my nursing programme in Busua, Ghana, where I spent time in the NICU, maternity and labour ward,” she says.

“I look forward to utilising my knowledge and skills to provide the best patient care possible to the residents of Bermuda.”

 

Izeyah Wainwright

College/University: Kingston University, UK

Izeyah says: “My career aspirations are centred around constant growth and skill enhancement. Since childhood, I have always dreamed of becoming a nurse. Not only is it my career aspiration, but it is my passion to help provide holistic care to my patients and be a bright component to their dark times.”

 

 

 

 

 

Sarae Botelho

College/University: University of Central Florida, USA

Sarae says: “I have always wanted to pursue a career where I can make an impact by helping others, which is why I have an interest in healthcare. My career aspirations are to complete my Bachelor of Science in nursing and then pursue a master’s degree focusing on neonatal health/women’s health.

“Bermuda’s future is in our hands, and I want to be one of the skilled individuals who makes a difference on the island. Knowing that Bermuda has a shortage of local nurses, and as a young woman who is proud of her heritage, I want to be a part of ensuring that skilful, qualified healthcare talent is something that can be continued and at the same time, give back to my community.”

 

 

Tre Outerbridge

College/University: University of East London, UK

Tre says: “As I continue my educational journey at the University of East London, I aim to gain further experience and understanding of the various facets of clinical and sports-related physiotherapy. By gaining experience globally I strive to take the knowledge gained and apply it to benefit the local community of Bermuda.

“My goal is to provide Bermuda with a robust and modern approach to care and rehabilitation, and to help improve Bermuda’s overall health literacy.”

 

 

Kyra Butterfield

College/University: Stevenson University, USA

Kyra says: “My career aspirations are centred around becoming a clinical psychologist specialising in children, adolescents and their families. I am passionate about contributing to Bermuda’s mental health landscape by conducting research that advances our understanding of mental health, improves treatment options, and addresses current gaps in mental healthcare.

“My goal is to offer psychological service, focusing on supporting, nurturing the wellbeing and resilience of young people within Bermuda’s community.”

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29 July 2024 Home Page, News

2022 Emancipation Exhibition on show at KEMH

Tuesday 23 July 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board is celebrating Emancipation Day this year by exhibiting the panels from the Department of Culture’s 2022 exhibition, ‘Pioneers Who Persevered: Black Nurses in Segregated Bermuda.’

“We’re so pleased the Department of Culture has collaborated with us to show this exhibition again,” said BHB CEO & President Scott Pearman. “The exhibition highlights the significant role Black nurses played in healthcare on the Island. It is of particular interest to our staff, and we are delighted to have all eleven panels on exhibit in the lobby of our Acute Care Wing. BHB is a diverse organisation within a multicultural community, and we are proud to share an important foundational note in BHB and Bermuda’s history.”

“We applaud the efforts of all who created the original exhibition,” said BHB Chief of Nursing Judy Richardson, “and in particular veteran journalist and principal researcher of the work, Meredith Ebbin, who is also a nurse. All our nurses, irrespective of their ethnicity, appreciate the historical importance of the exhibit.”

“Culture does evolve but recognising our roots and paying tribute to the contributions of those who sacrificed and made it easier for us to access, pursue and achieve our interests in the healthcare field today, is timeless and always worth celebrating,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Owen Darrell. “It is wonderful that Bermuda Hospitals Board is providing another opportunity for their staff and the general public to visit this exhibit again.”

Visitors to the hospital and members of the public can visit the exhibition, use the QR code on the panels for the stories, and sign the guest book with their thoughts about the exhibit. The show is open now and runs until Friday 9 August 2024.

Those who want to know more about the era of segregated nursing in Bermuda can view the exhibition’s companion film, ‘Healthcare Heroines: Black Bermudian Nurses and the Struggle for Equality,’ at https://youtu.be/B06grQA29B8 and visit www.emancipationbermuda.com.

23 July 2024 Home Page, News

No through traffic at KEMH from 24-26 July

Monday 22 July 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no pedestrian or vehicular through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road for three days starting on Wednesday 24 July.  This is to facilitate resurfacing of the through road.

The road will reopen on Saturday 27 July.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main Acute Care Wing (ACW) entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Botanical Gardens’ gate to KEMH.

To ensure safety, please adhere to all signage, barricades and directions of personnel at the site.

22 July 2024 Home Page, News

No through traffic at KEMH on 20 July

Thursday 18 July 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road from 7:30am until 12pm on Saturday 20 July 2024.

The closure is necessary to facilitate a crane lift of air handling units.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main Acute Care Wing entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

The General Wing and adjacent visitor parking lot will be accessible from Berry Hill Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Botanical Gardens gate to KEMH.

18 July 2024 News

Bermuda blood donors celebrated with help from Hamilton Princess

Monday 8 July 2024: For the fourth year in a row, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has sponsored prizes to celebrate and recognise Bermuda’s blood and apheresis donors.

Regular and new blood and apheresis donors were eligible for one of two prizes. Regular donor, Pamela Outerbridge, won a night’s stay at the illustrious hotel and Malcom Swan, a new donor this year, won a champagne brunch at the hotel.

Acting Pathology Manager Giselle Ming comments : “It makes us very happy to be able to appreciate our donors. We have an entirely voluntary blood donation service, which is the gold standard for safety and quality around the world. The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club are helping us thank these heroes who ensure lives can be saved with safe, voluntary blood and apheresis donations. Hamilton Princess is also a regular participant in our Corporate Blood Drive Competition, which means they not only help us recognise our donors, but support and encourage their colleagues to donate too.”

General Manager of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club Tim Morrison adds: “It is our pleasure to support the Bermuda Blood Donor team as they seek to recognise their donors. Blood donation is vital in for our community, saving lives and supporting critical care for patients who need therapeutic treatments. We are proud to help celebrate the donors who are making such a valuable contribution to healthcare in Bermuda.”

8 July 2024 Home Page, News

No through traffic at KEMH on 21 June

Thursday 20 June 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road from 7am-noon on Friday 21 June 2024.

The closure is necessary to facilitate a crane lift of construction materials.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main ACW entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Botanical Gardens gate to KEMH.

 

20 June 2024 News

Preston Swan appointed as chief operating officer

Wednesday 19 June 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announces that that Preston Swan has been confirmed as the chief operating officer (COO) having been acting in this role since February 2021.

The COO is responsible for the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), as well as the Facilities Management, Pathology, Imaging Services, Pharmacy, Property Management, Security and Hotel Services (Environmental Services, Food Services and Laundry) departments. With his formal appointment as COO, Mr Swan will no longer hold the additional role of vice president of clinical operations (MWI). This role will go through a competitive recruitment process and the successful candidate will report to him.

CEO & President Scott Pearman comments: “Mr Swan has successfully acted as COO for the last three years, while also continuing with his responsibilities as vice president, clinical operations (MWI). He has earned this appointment through all the challenges of COVID and beyond and will now be able to focus on the key responsibilities of the COO. It is gratifying to see someone of Mr Swan’s calibre come through the succession planning process at BHB. He brings to this position a wealth of experience at BHB in patient care and with many successful achievements. I’m extremely pleased to formally welcome him to the role.”

Mr Swan adds: “With the benefit of three years acting in the role, I’m looking forward to focusing full-time on the COO responsibilities. There are exciting plans around energy sustainability that we are working on, the continued implementation of the MWI Directorate Plan, as well as many improvements underway in Hotel Services, and other facility improvements. I’m grateful for the continued collaboration and support from the departments I work with as we continue in our pursuit of excellence.”

Mr Swan started at BHB as a mental health nurse in 1989. He worked on various mental health wards and was promoted to the position of unit coordinator in 1993. In 1996, he was promoted to the position of clinical coordinator of the Community Homes Programme and in 2004 to the role of clinical director of Turning Point. Mr Swan held this position until late 2008 when he became vice president of Quality & Risk Management. In 2017, he was appointed vice president of clinical operations at MWI and in 2021 took on the additional role of Acting COO.

Mr Swan trained as a registered mental nurse at the Sussex Downs School of Nursing in England. In 1992, he undertook further training at the Sheffield School of Nursing in England, gaining three ENBs in developments in intellectual disability nursing, teaching and assessment in clinical practice, and care in the community. In 2008, he achieved a Masters of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. He also has a certification in value-based healthcare through John’s Hopkins School of Medicine and has completed the Patient Safety Executive Professional course. Mr Swan also serves as a director of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation.

19 June 2024 Home Page, News

Freisenbruch wins Corporate Blood Drive for the third time

Friday 14 June 2024: It’s World Blood Donor Day today and the Bermuda Blood Donor Centre is excited to announce that Freisenbruch Insurance Services Ltd has been crowned as Corporate Blood Drive champions of 2024. Freisenbruch were also winners in 2020 and 2021.

The friendly annual competition is run by Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Ministry of Health. The winner is announced on World Blood Donor Day each year in June. This is the eleventh competition. Bermuda businesses and organisations participate by having their employees, and their employees’ friends and families donate blood on their behalf. The Corporate Blood Drive helps sustain adequate supplies of unpaid, voluntary blood for people who need transfusions in Bermuda. There are nearly 2,000 donations made each year, and every donation can help up to three people.

Participants alongside Freisenbruch in this year’s competition were: Ariel Re, Ascot, Aspen, Athene, Bacardi, Bermuda Bicycle Association, Bermuda  Monetary Authority, Butterfield & Vallis, Conduit Re, Fidelity International, Fortitude Re, Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club, Hiscox and MS Reinsurance.

Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP comments: “Congratulations, Freisenbruch Insurance Services Ltd, and thank you to all the participating organisations. It’s wonderful to see this competition bring businesses together to help meet the need for blood in Bermuda. It’s a way for every business to make a huge difference to our community and I encourage more businesses to sign up this year. I was very excited to be able to start donating last year with the lifting of the restrictions for people who’d spent time in the UK. Please donate and encourage your employer to sign up and save lives.”

Chief of Pathology and Consultant Haematologist Dr Eyitayo Fakunle notes: “Well done, Freisenbruch, for their third win. We enjoy celebrating the winner because they often have gone above and beyond to encourage their employees, and their employees’ friends and family to donate. But every donation made as part of the competition is saving lives. Wide participation of the Bermuda community ensures everyone can access blood and plasma proteins when they need it. So thank you all our blood donors. Your selfless donations have had a profound impact on the lives and well-being of thousands of people in Bermuda.”

CEO of Freisenbruch Patrick Neal comments: “We are proud to win the Corporate Blood Drive Competition for the third time. We know how important our support of blood donation is to our employees and we are happy to be back at the top! More seriously, it is a wonderful way for us to support our community and to do our part to ensure everyone in Bermuda has access to donations given with great generosity by their fellow residents. Thank you to our employees for their donations. We look forward to defending our title in 2025!”

Companies interested in joining the 2025 competition can email blood.donor@bhb.bm or call 236-5067.

14 June 2024 Home Page, News

No through traffic at KEMH on 12 June

Monday 10 June 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road from 7am to 12pm on Wednesday 12 June.

The closure is necessary to facilitate a crane lift of an air conditioning unit.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main ACW entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Botanical Gardens gate to KEMH.

10 June 2024 News

Acute Care Wing power restored – BHB moves down to Alert Level 1

Monday 10 June 2024 – 3:15am: All power has been restored in the ACW and all systems are running normally. Departments that provide outpatient services will be contacting  patients and clients who had appointments booked today to advise them when to come in. If you have an appointment for today, please contact the department directly before attending the hospital.

The hospital is now at Alert Level 1 and has reopened fully to the public.

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Acute Care Wing electrical equipment failure – BHB at Alert Level 3

Monday 10 June 2024 – 12:30am: Partial power has been restored to the ACW. The systems are slowly being brought back up.

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Acute Care Wing electrical equipment failure – BHB at Alert Level 3

Sunday 9 June 2024 – 10:42pm: There has been an internal electrical equipment failure in the Acute Care Wing of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH). The emergency generators are not currently running. Paget Health Services building managers are on site working on the problem which has also impacted operations in the General Wing.

All patient appointments for all KEMH departments are cancelled until further notice.

Due to the situation KEMH is at Alert Level 3. At this level we ask that the public not attend the hospital except in emergencies.

At the moment steam, running water and a/c have been impacted. The Emergency Department is working. No surgeries were underway.

BHB is working with our community partners to assist in the provision of services. People with hospital appointments will be contacted and advised of any changes.

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9 June 2024 News