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Bermuda Public Services Union partners with BHB for Mental Health Expo

Thursday 10 October 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has partnered with the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) for its upcoming Mental Health Expo, scheduled for Saturday 12 October 2024 from 1pm to 4:30pm at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

The two organisations joined forces after BHB’s planned Mental Health Awareness Fair, set for World Mental Health Day on Thursday, was cancelled due to forecasted heavy winds. The joint event on Saturday will now feature a broader range of participation from mental health professionals, expanding the scope and impact of the Expo.

“We’re delighted that the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute team will have a greater presence than initially planned,” said Karen Grant-Simmons, BHB clinical director of mental health and BPSU chairperson of the Mental Health Campaign Committee. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration to benefit our Bermuda community.”

Psychiatric nurse Rebecca Fisayo, chair of BHB’s Mental Health Awareness Committee and clinical manager of community mental health, expressed similar sentiments: “Our disappointment with the cancellation of Thursday’s fair was quickly reversed at the BPSU’s  willingness for us to partner with them for Saturday’s event.”

Bro. Armell Thomas, President of the BPSU, emphasised the importance of unity in these efforts: “As a union, we believe in the strength of collaboration. When BHB, one of our largest bargaining units, approached us, we did not hesitate to join forces. Together, we are stronger, and we believe this partnership will greatly benefit Bermuda.”

BHB CEO & President Scott Pearman agreed.

“Efforts like this strengthen our community partnerships and ultimately benefit Bermuda as a whole,” he said. “We are proud to work alongside the BPSU for the Mental Health Expo.”

The Expo will offer various interactive booths, providing resources and support to address workplace and community mental health challenges. The collaboration between BPSU and BHB ensures an even more comprehensive and impactful event for the community.

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10 October 2024 Home Page, News

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

Generous donation after life-saving cardiac care

Thursday 29 February 2024: Medical equipment and staff training worth half a million dollars has been donated to Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) by two patients.

Mr Bengt Nygren and his wife Brigitta were so impressed with the care they received from BHB cardiologists that they donated $500,000 to the hospital.

The couple, in their eighties, moved to Bermuda just before the COVID-19 pandemic. On separate occasions they became patients of BHB’s cardiologists: Mr Nygren with BHB Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Outpatient Specialty Clinics Dr Joseph Yammine; and Mrs Nygren with BHB Director of Cardiology Dr Sam Mir.

Each received a diagnosis which led to them having cardiac procedures overseas.

“We were so pleased and grateful for the care and attention both Dr Yammine and Dr Mir afforded us,” said Mr Nygren. “Our diagnoses were actually missed by our previous physicians overseas. And it’s all thanks to the BHB team that we were able to have our operations and can look forward to many more years together with our family.

“My wife and I wanted to express our gratitude and felt that a donation to strengthen the work of the department was appropriate,” he added.

The Nygrens made their half-million dollar donation to BHB’s Cardiac Diagnostic Unit through the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation.

“Mr and Mrs Nygren’s decision to show their gratitude for services we rendered, with this generous donation is inspiring,” said BHB CEO and President, Scott Pearman. “We are a community hospital and our staff strive to provide the best service to every patient. We thank the Nygren’s for their gift. It has enabled us to begin expanding our cardiac services which will benefit all Bermuda residents,” he added.

“Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation is pleased to have facilitated the donation on behalf of Mr and Mrs Nygren,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director, Kim Pratt. “We are very grateful to the Nygrens for recognising the need and supporting BHB in enhancing cardiac services to the community.”

“The funds were used to purchase 14 new mobile ECG carts which are used throughout the hospital, and a treadmill used to screen for coronary artery disease,” said Dr Mir. “Some of the funds were also used to train staff in a new service BHB is developing. The vascular programme will assist in assessing and treating peripheral artery disease.”

Dr Yammine said: “The Nygrens are a very thoughtful and caring couple. Their gift has already helped so many and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

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Photo

Pictured from left: Kim Pratt, Executive Director, Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation; David Lang, President, Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation; Dr Joseph Yammine, BHB Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Outpatient Specialty Clinics; Marlah Edwards, BHB Clinical Supervisor, Cardiology; Bengt Nygren; Scott Pearman, BHB CEO and President; Dr Sam Mir, BHB Director of Cardiology; and Preston Swan, BHB Acting Chief Operating Officer.

29 February 2024 Home Page, News

38 college and university students join BHB for summer internships

Thursday 4 August 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has employed 38 students in its Summer Student Programme this year. The 12-week programme provides college and university students an opportunity to gain experience, develop skills, and make important business contacts in their field of interest.

Students this year are from a wide range of disciplines and degree programmes, both clinical and non-clinical.

“Our 2022 cohort of interns comes from 29 different institutions based in Bermuda, Canada, Curacao, Cyprus, the UK and the US,” said Asia Ming-Raynor, manager of the BHB programme. “They are working across various departments within our organisation. We have seven medical students, who are at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), two psychology students who are based at our Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), and four nursing students who work across both campuses.”

Students are also working in the following BHB departments: Facilities Management, Finance, hospital medical records, Environmental Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Lab Services, Long Term Care, Neurology, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Project Management and Imaging Services.

“We are pleased to offer this experience to our young Bermudians,” said BHB Deputy CEO Scott Pearman, “particularly as we had to cut back during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“BHB has offered summer internships since the 1960s, but in 2000 we revamped the programme, expanding it to include non-clinical interns in the many supporting areas of the organisation.

“While our 2022 intake is lower than pre-pandemic years, we are greatly encouraged by the high calibre of those that have joined us this year. We also thank the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation (BHCF) and their corporate donors, who have funded the programme.”

“We recognise the importance of supporting and encouraging excellence in our future BHB workforce,” said BHCF Executive Director Lisa Sheppard. “We donated $150,000 for this year’s Summer Student Programme. An important aspect of the student work experience is that on completion of their studies, they are motivated to return to Bermuda and to BHB.”

Over the past five years, BHB has employed 236 Bermudian interns in its summer programme. Of those, 39 were medical students, 191 were general studies students, and six were culinary arts students.

BHB’s 2022 summer students are: Ma Jasmin Bacabac, Asrael Basden, Llewllyn Burgess, Annefa Burke, Gianluca Cacace, Tahj Cox, Maya De Silva, Jay-Quan Dill, Delia Ebbin, Justin Ebbin, Yanni Gibbons, Dedra Hayward, Jahkera Hill-Ingham, Chantae Hollis, Christopher Jackson, Haleigh Martin, Ryley Mason, Gabriella Medeiros, Erika Morris, Fatima Muhammad, Sierra Pacheco, Kyon Parfitt, Abigail Powell, Jaeshri Romeo, Shondreka Scraders, Tiara Shine, Kyasia Simmons, Ari Smith, Keishun Swan, Charlotte Theisen, Nathan Titterton, Keiron Tucker, Ceola Wade, Izeya Wainwright, Shania Wedderburn, Destiny White, Katherine White  and  Diego Wilson.

Applications for BHB’s 2023 Summer Student Programme will be released on the website BHB Jobs NOW – Bermuda Hospitals Board, in December.

BHB Summer Student Statistics 2017-2022

4 August 2022 Home Page, News

BHB Food Services team completes nutrition course

Wednesday 24 February 2021: Seventeen members of the Food Services team at Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) completed a 16-week nutrition course this month. The sessions were led by registered dietitian Arlene MacGuinness, owner of ANEW – Applied Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness.

ANEW is registered as an advanced facility with the Bermuda Health Council’s Provider Advantage Programme.

“The Food Services leadership team and all the cooks took the course,” said BHB Food Services Manager Norman Gardener. “The presenter was engaging and it was good to have our team’s nutrition knowledge refreshed.”

Although already trained in nutrition, BHB Executive Chef Thomas Frost said: “The course was beneficial in that it brought the whole team together where we could pause and focus on how we can improve our service, both to patients and to staff.”

“Focusing on nutrition fuels the excitement I already have about cooking and creating meals,” said Sivakumar Senthamaraikannan, cook for 7 Point Café, the staff cafeteria at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH). “I thank management for recognising the need for this type of culinary and nutritional training, and I am looking forward to forging a greater relationship with the dietitians.”

“Knowing I play a part in the health of staff and patients who eat what I prepare motivates me to do my best,” said cook Romey McDonald. “To know what’s nutritious and how to retain the nutrition in those items so that they can benefit those who consume it is important.”

Assistant Food Services Manager Nathalie Barnett-Dill said: “This focus on training is a part of Food Services’ mandate to ensure our team stays current with opportunities that are available in the ever-evolving food industry.”

Deputy CEO R Scott Pearman said: “On behalf of the management team, I congratulate the Food Services team for investing in measures to ensure our patient and staff meals have the appropriate nutritional balance, taste and quality presentation. With the vast array of dietary restrictions our inpatients have to adhere to, the job of our Food Services staff can be challenging, but they are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for all our patients.”

The culinary training course included the following:

Session 1: The Power of Food

Session 2: Nutrition Standards and Tools

Session 3: Carbohydrates

Session 4: Fats and Oils

Session 5: Proteins

Session 6: Vitamins, Minerals and Phytochemicals

Session 7: Planning Healthful Menus

Session 8: The Flavour Factor

Session 9: Healthful Cooking Techniques

Session 10: Communicating Nutrition Messages

Topic 11: Food for Healthful Living

Topic 12: Serving Guests with Special Health Needs

24 February 2021 Home Page, News

Bermuda Hospitals Board promotes healthy drinks options for its staff

19 October 2017: The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is taking the lead in helping its staff attain better health by cutting all drinks with high sugar content from its staff cafeterias.

BHB’s Hotel Services Department has been phasing out its beverage offerings that contain more than 15grams of sugar per serving.

“This policy change will result in the elimination of all sodas (except diet), all fruit and all energy drinks that contain high-fructose in excess of the 15 grams per serving limit we have instituted,” said BHB Chief Operating Officer Scott Pearman. “Waters and drinks that contain less than 15g sugar will remain in stock,” he added.

Mr Pearman noted that contrary to the national trend of lower health insurance premium increases, the health insurance premiums for BHB’s employee plan rose 18 percent this year. This increase was not due to inflationary policies by Government or insurance companies.

“The increase was a direct result of actual hospital and major medical claims by our staff exceeding the claims of peer populations by 30 percent,” he said. Chronic diseases were the primary driver of these claims.

BHB’s Dietary Department revealed that the top five beverages sold in staff cafeterias at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) from 1 April 2016 until 30 September 2017 contained a total of 3,070,778 grams of sugar.

“At BHB we have consumed 3.16 tons of sugar or an average of 3.5 pounds of sugar per staff member over the past 18 months,” said Mr Pearman. “Although our cafeterias serve members of the public as well, the sugar consumption calculation includes only our top five brands so total consumption is actually understated,” he added.

Most of the offending drinks are no longer available in the hospitals’ cafeterias. “By November first we will not have any overly sugary beverages available in our KEMH staff cafeteria or vending machines,” said BHB Director of Hotel Service Jerome Swainson. “By Christmas the same will be true at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute,” he added.

“Research shows that chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension can be significantly reduced by lifestyle choices,” said BHB Endocrinologist Dr Annabel Fountain. “Through this policy, BHB is creating an environment that supports and promotes healthier choices which will reduce the risk of developing these conditions,” she added.

“Staff are rightfully disgruntled when health insurance premiums increase substantially like they did last year, but the rise was driven by expenditures for chronic disease related to our care,” said Mr Pearman. “Removing beverages with greater than 15 grams of sugar will increase staff awareness of the dangers related to high sugar diets. It will also make it easier for us to make better choices. It’s our hope this will result in a healthier workforce and keep health insurance rates at reasonable levels,” he added.

Mr Pearman continued: “Our cafeterias are convenient and popular dining destinations for many of our 1750 staff. Most importantly we believe that eliminating unhealthy options will help us on the road to better health and wellness.”

Debbie Jones, Chairman Bermuda Diabetes Association has endorsed the move taken at BHB. She said: “The hospital is taking the first step in helping to make BHB employees healthy. By ensuring that sugary drinks contain no more than 15grams is supporting the message that people should be choosing water first. Water contains no grams of sugar. Hopefully every employer in Bermuda will follow the hospital’s lead.”

Minister of Health the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP also threw her support behind BHB’s efforts. She said: “I have long been concerned about the high sugar content in what we consume.  The Throne Speech committed to Government leading the way in wellness by encouraging its employees to make healthy choices. BHB employees see far more clearly than the rest of us the negative health outcomes from obesity and diabetes so I’m delighted that our largest healthcare provider is leading by example. We, in Government, have promoted water only practices and policies in schools through the Healthy Schools Programme, and we are looking to re-introduce the Vending Machine Policy for Government premises, in order to improve healthy options. I urge others to choose water as the first option. A concerted effort by the whole community to reduce our population’s intake of sugar will not only make us healthier, it will also reduce the cost of healthcare premiums.”

19 October 2017 Home Page, News