Press Release

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — February 10, 2025 — A high-level delegation from The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, led by Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Mona, and Professor Marvin Reid, Lead, UWI Global Health Initiative, visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to advance key initiatives in regional medical education and healthcare development.

During the visit, the delegation signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hamilton Education Foundation and Hamilton University School of Medicine (HUSM). This agreement solidifies a strategic partnership aimed at developing HUSM into a world-class institution and strengthening healthcare delivery and education in the Caribbean.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

1. Signing of MOU with HUSM
   The MOU formalizes a partnership between UWI, Mona and HUSM to advance medical education, research, and healthcare initiatives in the region. This collaboration is part of UWI Mona’s Global Health Initiative (GHI), which supports health professional training and addresses health inequities across the Caribbean and the wider world.
2. Visit to the Hamilton University School of Medicine Development Site
   The delegation toured the site of the future Hamilton University School of Medicine and its University Medical Center, which is currently undergoing preparatory work for the construction of its state-of-the-art Medical Education building. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, marking a significant step toward HUSM’s goal of opening its doors to students in 2027.
3. Tour of Cheshire Hall Medical Center
   The UWI delegation also visited the Cheshire Hall Medical Center, a diamond-level accredited facility operated by InterHealth Canada. Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO, and Dr. Dawn Perry-Ewing, Chief of Medical Services, led a comprehensive tour of the facility, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and capabilities.

As a UWI internship-approved center, Cheshire Hall Medical Center will play a pivotal role in HUSM’s clinical training programs. The delegation lauded the center’s contributions to healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands and its significance as a key partner in HUSM’s medical education delivery.

Statements from Leaders

Professor Densil A. Williams emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, stating, “This visit signifies UWI’s commitment to fostering partnerships that advance the Caribbean’s healthcare systems and medical education. The MOU with HUSM is a testament to our commitment to work with indigenous regional institutions to advance teaching and learning, and, research and innovation in healthcare so that we can build a more productive citizenry within our region.

Dr. Rufus W. Ewing, Executive Chair of the Hamilton Education Foundation, noted, “The partnership with UWI and the engagement with world-class institutions like Cheshire Hall Medical Center reflect our shared goal of providing high-quality medical education and healthcare services to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean.”

Looking Ahead

This visit marks a significant milestone in the development of HUSM and its collaboration with UWI. The strategic partnerships established will not only enhance medical education but also strengthen healthcare delivery throughout the region. As construction on HUSM’s Medical Education building begins and clinical programs are integrated with institutions like Cheshire Hall Medical Center, the Caribbean is set to benefit from

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

• Hamilton Education Foundation
  Email: Admin@husm.education
• The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
  Email: communications@uwimona.edu.jm
  Phone: +1 (876) 977 5941

***MEDIA RELEASE***

Turks and Caicos, February 5, 2025 – World Read Aloud Day celebrates the joy and importance of reading aloud, encouraging children and adults to pick up a book, find an audience, and share a story.

Today, in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) joined in the celebration by visiting schools to engage with students through reading.

Commissioner Fitz Bailey visited the Special Needs Association Providenciales (SNAP) Center, where he read to students aged 5-11 and later spoke with students in the 12-20 age group. He reminded them that they are not just special but unique in God’s image and likeness, emphasizing that they are all children of God.

The Commissioner also engaged the students in song, earning applause. He expressed gratitude to Principal Ms. Regena Little and her dedicated staff for their patience, commitment, and genuine care for the students. Commissioner Bailey assured everyone that this would not be his last visit to the center.

Meanwhile, Inspector Delton Robinson and Constable Janefer Stubbs engaged students with lively readings at Ianthe Pratt Primary School, while Constables Rhoan McKoy and Roan Waugh from the Tactical Unit captivated students with animated storytelling sessions at Oseta Jolly Primary School.

The RTCIPF remains committed to collaborating with our communities and fostering education, engagement, and positive connections.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 13^th January 2025 – The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, recently welcomed a team of 10 dedicated volunteers from Illinois State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders through the Therapy Abroad program. Throughout their visit, the team made a significant impact, conducting 45 speech assessments and providing invaluable support to private and public schools and students.

The visiting team worked with the SNAP Center, Preparing Little Minds, Tumble Tots, Thelma Lightbourne Primary, and Ianthe Pratt Primary schools this past week. Their efforts included one-on-one speech assessments, group speech therapy sessions with students, and collaborative meetings with teachers to provide insights and strategies to assist children with speech delays and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Director of the SENS Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort: “We are immensely grateful to the Therapy Abroad team and the volunteers from Illinois State University for their unwavering commitment to supporting our students. Their assessments and therapy sessions have brought us closer to understanding and addressing our children’s unique speech and communication needs. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, whose tireless efforts ensured the success of this initiative.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. James Astwood, also praised the initiative: “This ongoing partnership between Therapy Abroad and the SENS Department highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing the diverse needs of our students. The expertise shared and the assessments conducted will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our schools and the children they serve. We look forward to continuing such partnerships to further enhance the services we provide.”

The SENS Department remains committed to fostering innovative partnerships and delivering specialized support to ensure that every child receives the resources they need to thrive.