“Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures”

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — September 23, 2026; TCI Hospital joined healthcare organisations around the world in celebrating World Pharmacy Day from September 21-25, 2026, recognising the vital contribution pharmacists and pharmacy technicians make to patient safety, quality care and stronger healthcare systems.

Under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” this year’s observance highlighted the importance of enabling pharmacy professionals to use their knowledge, skills and expertise to their fullest potential in improving health outcomes and supporting patients throughout their healthcare journey.

As part of World Pharmacy Week, September 19–25, TCI Hospital celebrated its Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians while engaging patients, students and the wider community in activities focused on medication safety, pharmacy careers and the expanding role of pharmacy professionals in healthcare.

More Than Preparing Medications

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are integral members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team at TCI Hospital. While pharmacy is often associated with dispensing and preparing medicines, the work of pharmacy professionals extends far beyond the pharmacy counter.

The hospital’s pharmacy team works collaboratively with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to support the safe and appropriate use of medications throughout the patient journey. Their work includes medication preparation and management, medication reconciliation and review, patient education, and processes designed to identify and reduce medication-related risks.

Their specialised knowledge is particularly important in clinical areas such as the Neonatal Unit, Oncology and Dialysis services, where medication management requires precision, careful calculation, specialised preparation and close attention to individual patient needs.

For TCI Hospital, World Pharmacy Day therefore provides an opportunity not only to celebrate pharmacy professionals, but also to increase public understanding of their important contribution to safe, effective and patient-centred care.

Inspiring the Next Generation

An important part of TCI Hospital’s 2026 observance was engaging young people and introducing them to the diverse opportunities available within the pharmacy profession.

Students from Maranatha Academy in Providenciales and HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk, participated in an exposition designed to provide insight into the work of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and their contribution to patient care and medication safety.

Students explored how medications moved through the healthcare system, the safeguards used to help prevent medication errors, and the importance of medication reconciliation in identifying and resolving potential medication-related concerns.

The sessions also featured practical demonstrations of selected tools and processes used by pharmacy professionals, giving students an opportunity to experience aspects of the profession beyond the traditional image of dispensing medicines.

Through this engagement, TCI Hospital hoped to encourage more young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands to consider careers in pharmacy and the wider healthcare sector.

Taking Pharmacy Education into The Community

TCI Hospital extended the conversation beyond the hospital through a special TCI Hospital House Call Talk Show episode featuring pharmacy professionals and a patient.

The programme explored the role of pharmacists from both the healthcare professional and patient perspectives, including how pharmacy professionals contributed to safe medication use and how patients could become active partners in their own medication safety.

The discussion encouraged patients to know the medications they were taking, provide healthcare professionals with accurate and up-to-date information about their medicines, follow medication instructions carefully, and ask questions whenever they were uncertain about their treatment.

The programme also highlighted pharmacy as a rewarding healthcare career and encouraged young people to explore educational and professional opportunities in the field.

Medication Safety is a Shared Responsibility

World Pharmacy Day also provides an important reminder that medication safety is a shared responsibility involving healthcare organisations, healthcare professionals, patients and families.

Patients can contribute to safer care by maintaining an accurate list of their medications, including prescription and non-prescription medicines; informing healthcare professionals about medications they are taking; following instructions for safe medication use; and asking questions when they do not understand why or how a medicine should be taken.

Healthcare organisations and professionals, in turn, have a responsibility to maintain systems that support safe medication practices and enable pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to contribute their expertise across the continuum of care.

TCI Hospital remains committed to strengthening medication safety, supporting its pharmacy workforce, educating patients and promoting effective collaboration across the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Celebrating the People Behind Safe Medication Use

Chief Executive Officer of TCI Hospital, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, said World Pharmacy Day is an important opportunity to recognise the expertise and dedication of the hospital’s pharmacy professionals.

Chief of Allied Services, Eleanor Hall, highlighted the importance of recognising pharmacy as an integral clinical service and supporting the continued professional development of the pharmacy workforce.

Pharmacy Manager Kennita Myers said the theme reflects both the responsibility carried by pharmacy professionals and the opportunities available to further strengthen their contribution to patient care.

Thank You to Our Pharmacy Professionals

Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital extends its sincere appreciation to its pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for their professionalism, expertise and commitment to patient safety.

Whether preparing specialised medications, supporting clinical teams, educating patients, reviewing medication therapy or strengthening medication-safety processes, pharmacy professionals play an important role at every stage of the patient journey.

Their work embodies the message of World Pharmacy Day 2026: “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”

To all of our Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, thank you for helping to keep our patients safe, supporting our healthcare teams and contributing every day to healthier futures for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Nassau, Bahamas, 22 September 2026 – Six Bahamians whose service is making a difference in communities across the country were recently celebrated by CIBC Caribbean as the bank brought together its top 2026 Unsung Heroes finalists for a special recognition event.

The 2026 finalists were Kristin Butler-Beneby, Dinola Williamson, Amanda Knowles, Tamara Clarke, Ruth Fawkes, and Jaquay Adderley.

During the event, CIBC Caribbean also announced Dinola Williamson as the first runner-up in this year’s program. Williamson is an educator and community activist who has spent more than two decades in education and leads the Family Better Together Kabbalistic Kids Club. Her community work has reached children in Englerston, Fox Hill, Acklins, Crooked Island, and Grand Bahama through mentorship and activities designed to support their holistic development.

CIBC Caribbean Head of Country Terrance Gibson said the gathering was intentionally focused on celebrating the collective impact of the finalists.

“Unsung Heroes is about recognizing the people who may not always receive the spotlight, but whose commitment is felt every day in the lives of the people and communities they serve,” he said.

“While Kristin emerged as our 2026 Unsung Hero, and Dinola as our runner-up, each nominee represents the spirit of this program. They saw needs in their communities and made the decision to act, to serve, and to keep showing up. CIBC Caribbean is proud to recognize them and to help bring greater attention to the work they are doing.”

The recognition event also brought together members of the judging panel who reviewed this year’s nominations and selected the program’s honorees. The panel comprised Olympic gold medalist Tonique Williams, Bahamas Red Cross President Edison Sumner, Guardian Lifestyles Editor Shavaughn Moss, and Organization for Responsible Governance Executive Director Matt Aubry.

During the event, each finalist spoke about the community work that led to their nomination. The judges were also recognized for lending their time and expertise to the selection process.

Gibson added, “Recognition is important, but we also hope that sharing these stories encourages others to look around their own communities, see where they can make a difference, and act.

“Our Unsung Heroes remind us that meaningful change often begins with an individual who simply decides to help.”

The Bahamas, September 21, 2026 – The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched in January 2024 to support public hospitals and healthcare clinics, donated eight additional dialysis machines for the PMH Renal Services unit.

Director of Foundations, Corporate and Community Relations for the Public Hospitals Authority and Executive Director of the foundation, Alana Major, said this initiative is a part of the foundation’s “Sun, Sea and Second Chances” campaign.  PHA Foundation aims to secure 30 machines for Princess Margaret Hospital.

“As of today, with this donation, we are now up to 15 machines, so we are very excited about that,” Ms. Major said.

Other members of the foundation were present, including PHA Foundation Chairman Mr. Selvin Basden, who said the foundation is committed to doing its part in fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Bahamas.

“One of the tenets of the Government is to ensure that access to healthcare is a human right. We are committed to ensuring that, at least from our part, we can deliver on that principle,” Mr. Basden said.

The PMH Renal Services Unit dialyzes about 150 to 170 patients annually. The unit provides care for patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and now need renal support. Patients who receive dialysis typically come to the unit three times a week, either on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule.

Head of Department for Renal Services, Dr. Thurston Carroll, said she and the unit are excited to receive the donation, as it will replace machines that are not operating optimally.

“We are particularly excited about today’s donation because, although we have 20 stations within the dialysis unit, we have an aging fleet. These new machines and new water-treatment equipment will allow us to replace some of our aging equipment so that we can continue providing services to our patients.”

Foundation representatives noted that one or two organizations are already considering making bulk donations and if it happens, the foundation may be able to secure another 10 machines or another five machines in the very near future.

PMH Deputy Hospital Administrator Angelica Lockhart-Bastian and Hospital Administrator Mr. Tevard Bastian thanked the PHA Foundation for its donation to Princess Margaret Hospital.

Also in attendance were PHA Foundation Deputy Chairman Dr. Erecia Hepburn; Foundation guest Dr. Maria Oriakhi; Chief Biomedical Engineer Mr. Theodore Nottage; Administrative Officer Ms. Appapisa Neely; and Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator Mr. Valdez Bowe.

By Christina Williams 
Bahamas Information Services

BIS Photos/Mark Ford

PHOTO CAPTION:

Group Photo, from left:
– Dr. Rhea Thurston Carroll, Director, Renal Services, PMH
– Nurse Kim Harris, Dialysis Nurse, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– ⁠Sister Darnell Roker, Nurse Manager, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Mrs. Angelica Lockhart-Bastian, Deputy Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mr. Tevard Bastian, Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mrs. Alana Major, Director, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
– ⁠Mr. Selvin Basden, Chairman, PHA Foundation
– ⁠Dr. Erecia Hepburn, PHA Foundation Board
– ⁠Ms. Donette Danvers, Executive Assistant, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA