Dr Michael Ashton takes on new role at BHB

Wednesday 10 September 2025: Bermuda Hospitals Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Michael Ashton as chief of infectious diseases and patient centred medical home.

Dr Ashton previously served as BHB’s chief of medicine from 2016 to 2023 before leaving the role for private practice, although he continued with BHB as a consultant infectious diseases specialist.

Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Ashton back to BHB full time. As our director of infectious diseases and chief of medicine through the pandemic, he was instrumental in leading the hospitals and the community through a very challenging time.”

As chief of infectious diseases, Dr Ashton is responsible for all matters related to infectious diseases and epidemiology at BHB, including leading the organisation in preparing for future pandemics and other major epidemiological threats. He is responsible for ensuring effective infection prevention and control measures throughout the hospitals, and leading efforts to mitigate clinical risks related to infectious diseases and healthcare-associated infections.

“Dr Ashton is also taking on a new challenge in leading our Patient Centred Medical Home,” said Dr Neilson-Williams. “The PCMH is a critical service that assists people with complex chronic diseases who frequently need emergency or inpatient care. Most individuals who access the PCMH have more than one chronic condition and many are under- or uninsured. Helping them better manage their conditions results in a better quality of life for our patients and reduced demand on our Emergency Department and acute care beds.”

As chief of PCMH, Dr Ashton is responsible for overseeing the multidisciplinary service and expanding it to include remote management of patients. He will also collaborate with the chief of psychiatry on community mental health initiatives and will oversee population health management programmes.

CEO Scott Pearman said: “The threat of another pandemic is the new reality for healthcare organisations around the world. Dr Ashton has the expertise and proven experience we need to ensure our hospitals are well prepared. We are grateful to have him back at BHB full time, heading up this critical area. We also welcome Dr Ashton’s leadership in the Patient Centred Medical Home, assisting some of our most challenged patients to live a fuller, healthier life.

“As a Bermudian physician and medical leader, Dr Ashton has provided guidance and mentorship for local students through our Summer Student Programme for many years. We hope this new role serves as inspiration for the next generation of Bermudian healthcare clinicians and leaders.”

Dr Ashton first joined BHB in November 2011 as an infectious diseases specialist and hospital epidemiologist. He is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Dr Ashton earned a Bachelor of Science in pre med and psychology at McGill University in Quebec, Canada, and attended medical school at the University of Vermont. After completing his training in internal medicine and primary care as an intern and resident at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, USA, Dr Ashton completed a fellowship in infectious diseases and hospital epidemiology at Yale.

Dr Ashton will continue to see inpatients and outpatients as BHB’s consultant in infectious disease and epidemiology.

Archives