Connect with us

TCI News

TCI: Florinda Gardiner-Talbot Appointed as IHC Deputy Contract Performance Manager

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, May 01, 2018 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Florinda Gardiner-Talbot as the new Interhealth Canada Deputy Contract Performance Manager within the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot holds an MBA (Distinction) in Hospital and Health Services Management and a Bachelors (Hons) Health and Social Care from the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, UK.

A North Caicos native and former Educator, with 11 years of experience in Primary Education, Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot was among the first employees of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB); serving in the capacity of Senior Enrollment and Billing Officer.

Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot later having relocated to the UK, served in the Clinical Wards and Out Patients Department of the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, United Kingdom.  She worked as a Registered Manager of the Care Quality Commission, United Kingdom where the role involved managing multiple Care Homes designed for the Elderly and People with Learning Disabilities.  In managing numerous aspects of the care homes which included finance and human resources, her responsibility was to guarantee that the homes operated according to the regulated activities and complied with legal requirements, facilitating regulatory inspections and audits.

Before returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2017,  Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot was the Clinical Governance and Regulatory Control Administrative Manager with Spire Regency Hospital, United Kingdom which involved developing and coordinating audit activities to comply with governance strategy and the requirements of the National Health Services Contracts, facilitating regulatory inspections and audits in the hospital, overseeing consultant’s clinical professional fitness to practice, assisting in the management of the hospital’s adverse event reporting processes, ensuring robust investigation and feedback across the hospital.

Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot can be considered a high achiever having been the recipient of several awards including:  the Bedfordshire Edge Employability Award, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK 2013 and the Community Voluntary Work Award, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK 2013.  She also received special recognition for conducting two major studies under the themes: The Impact of Incarceration on the Mental Health of Young Offenders and Identifying the Challenges and Developing Solutions for the transition of a Government Managed Healthcare service to a Public Private Managed Healthcare Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commenting on her appointment Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot said; “I am elated to be afforded the opportunity to serve in such an important capacity, given the dynamic and complex nature of the health care sector.  This area has always been one of my passions and I intend to utilize all the skills and experience gained over the years both locally and internationally to make a positive and notable impact within the Ministry of Health.”

Deputy Governor Anya Williams in congratulations stated; “We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and to congratulate her on her new role.  As the Deputy Contract Performance Manager within the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Gardiner-Talbot will be directly responsible for the oversight, monitoring and evaluation of the IHC Hospital Contract, which is a key responsibility.

We are certain that her previous background and skills in Hospital and Health Services Management will be an asset to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and am pleased that she decided to return to the Turks and Caicos, where we are certain, she will be of tremendous help in transforming our healthcare sector and our hospital delivery programs.  Welcome home Florinda and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands civil service!

 

Continue Reading

TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis  

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news.

Continue Reading

TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards  

Published

on

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

Continue Reading

TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

  • 75 males (including two minors)
  • 28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING