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Dr. Raven A. Saunders Attains Master’s Degree in Public Health

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Public Service Times Spotlight

 

Turks and Caicos – Dr. Raven A. Saunders is a Grand Turk native and dedicated medical professional. She graduated from H.J. Robinson High School and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College before earning a double major in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Saunders completed her Medical Degree at the University of the West Indies in 2018. She began her career as an intern at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and later worked as a Senior Health Officer in Jamaica. After returning home in 2020, she served as Clinic Manager and Family Doctor at Omnicare and ACCU Diagnostics.

In February 2021, Dr. Saunders joined the COVID-19 response team and became Deputy Chief Medical Officer in July 2023. In her free time, she enjoys reading and watching films.

Dr. Saunders shared her academic journey and future plans with the Public Service Times.

Could you share a bit about your background, including where you’re from, your academic journey, current job title, and some of you hobbies?

I am a native of Grand Turk, a graduate of H.J. Robinson High School and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. I continued my studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where I graduated with a double major of Bachelor of Science in Biology & Biochemistry with Magna Cum Laude. In 2018, I successfully completed medical school at the University of West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. I was able to garner a wealth of medical experience as a medical intern at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, where I was trained in multiple disciplinaries. Then, I got to further enhance my skills by working as a Senior Health Officer in multiple clinics throughout the North East Regional Health Authority in Jamaica.

In 2020, I returned home and was initially working in the private sectors. I worked as the Clinic Manager and Family Doctor on Ambergris Cay for Omnicare and as the Family Doctor in Providenciales with ACCU Diagnostics. Both opportunities were extremely rewarding. However, in February 2021, I was delighted when I was offered a post with the COVID-19 response team at the Primary Health Care Grand Turk Clinic then appointed Medical Officer of the clinic. In July 2023, I became the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Well, on most days, I’m a mild-mannered book reader and film buff. But in reality, I’m an undercover mystery solver. I constantly investigate obscure documentaries, analyze plot twists, and become way too invested in solving fictional crimes. My love of puzzles and mystery kept me pursuing medicine.

What inspired you to pursue a master’s degree, and how do you think it enhances your contributions with the Ministry of Health and Human Services?

My inspiration to pursue a master’s in public health came from a desire to address the systemic issues that affect health at a population level, particularly the health disparities that persist across different socioeconomic and demographic groups. Seeing the impacts of these inequities firsthand inspired me to gain the tools to create meaningful change and drive initiatives that reach people beyond traditional healthcare settings.

This degree enhances my contributions to the Ministry by providing a well-rounded understanding of public health policy, epidemiology, and health systems, allowing me to approach challenges with evidence-based strategies. Additionally, my studies have deepened my skills in program evaluation and data analysis, so I can assess current health initiatives’ effectiveness and identify improvement areas. This knowledge helps me propose solutions that are not only impactful but also sustainable, ensuring future health programs have long-term benefits for the populations they serve.

What is one key insight from your studies that you believe could significantly benefit the initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Human Services?

One important concept I learnt during my studies is the Stevens and Raftery’s model of healthcare needs assessment. This model attempts to achieve the greatest good for the most significant number by focusing resources where they achieve the most benefit for the patients. It intrinsically weaves the importance of need, supply and demand. The need is defined as the individual or population’s ability to benefit from healthcare. For instance, communities with high rates of chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease have a greater need for preventive care, screening programs, and lifestyle interventions. Accurately assessing need is crucial for effective resource allocation, as it ensures that public health initiatives are targeted at the areas and populations where they are most beneficial.

The demand is the measure of what people want, and the supply is the health services currently provided to the country. Balancing need, supply, and demand is essential for creating an effective public health system. Misalignments, such as a high need for mental health services but limited supply or demand, can lead to gaps in care and worsen health disparities. Addressing these factors with coordinated strategies, data-driven resource allocation, and community engagement helps to build a resilient, responsive public health system that meets the Turks and Caicos Islands’ needs.

 How do you plan to apply what you’ve learned to improve efficiencies or strategies within the Ministry?

Building on my earlier answer regarding health care needs assessment, the Ministry can benefit from an updated assessment. Our country is evolving and embracing different cultures, demographics and with this more diseases, especially non-communicable diseases. We need to leverage data analytics to optimize resource allocation and identify areas for improvement. By conducting needs assessments and using predictive analytics, we can pinpoint regions with higher disease burdens or resource shortages and proactively address these gaps. Additionally, implementing regular program evaluations will allow the Ministry to monitor effectiveness, adjust real-time strategies, and reallocate resources to maximize impact.

Applying health equity principles will guide the Ministry in designing programs that are accessible and culturally sensitive to underserved communities. Through partnerships with local organizations and community leaders, we can co-create interventions that address specific needs and resonate with those we serve. This approach builds trust and improves the uptake of public health services, ultimately improving program efficiency.

In what ways did your education challenge your prior assumptions, and how will you leverage this new perspective in your work?

My studies in public health opened my eyes to a proper understanding of how crucial epidemiological studies are to managing diseases, especially on a population-based level. As a doctor, you are programmed to treat the individual. Now, as someone in a leadership role, I want to implement policies that can help the country collectively. This cannot really be achieved without updated data on the overall public health profile.

Health surveys, chronic disease studies and updated disease statistics are key passions of mine that have formed after my studies. As a society, we cannot continue to implement programs or policies if we do not know what the society needs; are there even a demand for these programs; and can we properly supply and maintained these programs.

What advice would you offer to colleagues contemplating a similar path for their professional advancement?

My main takeaway for persons wishing to pursue healthcare or any professional advancement is “to embrace lifelong learning”. This path requires a mindset of continuous education. Be open to learning from various sources—colleagues, communities, and research. Also, not all knowledge is earned in institutions, the co-worker with multiple years of experience has multitudes of wisdom to share. Public health, for instance, spans across social sciences, epidemiology, policy, and more, so staying curious and adaptive is crucial.

How do you envision the evolution of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and what role do you see yourself playing in that transformation?

Strengthening the Primary Healthcare services is what I envision for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Developing more robust healthcare facilities equipped with modern technology to ensure quality care throughout the islands. Improving our clinics can shift the focus from reactive to preventative healthcare through public awareness campaigns, regular health screenings, especially for cancers predominantly in our population, and vaccination programs. This approach would aim to decrease the burden of chronic diseases, particularly at the hospitals and the need for treatment abroad. Secondly, building communication with our public and private healthcare sectors to better enhance community engagement and health outcomes.

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Government

STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, DILEENI DANIELSELVARATNAM: APPOINTMENTS TO THE CABINET OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

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Turks and Caicos, February 12, 2025

 

TCI Cabinet named:

Acting on the advice of the Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick OBE JP, pursuant to section 31(1)(C) of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011, I will appoint the following elected representatives as members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet at a ceremony to be held tomorrow 13 February 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. Monica’s Church Providenciales.

Pursuant to section 31 (1)(C)(7) of the Constitution Amendment Order 2024 and in consultation with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Edwin Astwood, I will appoint an additional Minister to the Cabinet.

In line with section 36 (2) of the Constitution Order 2011, on the advice of the Premier, I will assign their respective portfolios as listed below:

  1. Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick OBE JP will lead the Office of the Premier and Public Policy and is to be appointed as Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade.
  2. Deputy Premier, Hon. Jamell Rayan Robinson is to be appointed as Minister of Immigration and Border Services.
  3. Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders is to be appointed as Minister of Innovation, Technology and Information.
  4. Hon. Otis Chuck Morris is to be appointed as Minister of Public Safety and Utilities.
  5. Hon. Arlington Alexander Musgrove is to be appointed as Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
  6. Hon. Rachel Marshall Taylor is to be appointed as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
  7. Hon. Shaun David Malcolm is to be appointed as Minister of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation.
  8. Hon. Kyle Robert Knowles is to be appointed as Minister of Health and Human Services.
  9. Hon. Zhavargo Jermaine Jolly is to be appointed as Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment.

Following the ceremony, a meeting of Cabinet will be held at the Office of the Premier. I look forward to working with the Hon. Premier and the Cabinet in service of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Appointments will take effect immediately following their swearing-in.
Instruments of appointment will be published in the Official Gazette.

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Government

Why the Premier doesn’t need to be the Most Popular

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Deandrea Hamilton
Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, February 9, 2025 – It took some diligence and re-learning of the electoral process back in 2012 to understand the unique practice of voting for candidates in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

No longer were voters only choosing one constituency representative, but also five all island representatives. That has since ballooned to nine due to a constitutional change which eliminated appointed seats. Now, all seats in the TCI’s parliament are held by an individual who has been duly elected by the people.

Curiosity emerged in this 2025 national poll when E Jay Saunders, a PNP backbencher won the most votes in the all island category. He finished with 4,614 and topped Washington Misick, his party’s leader and the re-elected premier, who got 4,208 votes.

They were first and second, though the difference between them was 406 votes.

It’s not the first time the most popular finisher in the all island vote hasn’t also been premier. In fact, the first time this happened the person who got the most votes – Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson – had to be contented with serving as Opposition Leader because her party was not the one with the most elected candidates. That was in 2012.

In these islands, the premiership is won when two simple requirements are met.

One, when a political party elects its leader it is constitutionally entrenched within that document that the leader, if he or she wins their seat, will ascend to premier.

Leader of party equals leader of country if that party wins the most seats to form government and if that person is a holder of one of those seats.

Two, in order to satisfy the country’s constitutional requirement, you have to be elected to parliament and deemed the leader of the party with the most seats.

In TCIs case, we have 9 seats for the all island candidates.

Any individual who ended the day as among the nine people with the most votes, they would have satisfied that requirement because they would be among the nine elected in that category.

First or fifth, you’re in the nine and you’re the party leader, then you’re the premier.

If you’re a party leader and ended up the candidate with even the ninth highest amount of votes, you would still be qualified to be country leader.

Place in this category of the race does not matter. It’s why the fight for leadership is often so fierce within political parties, why a party has to be governed by a constitution so that clear rules are established and accepted and why the organisation has to be government approved or registered.

The governor then complies with the party’s written constitution about who he or she must swear in as premier if the said party racks up the most seats.

The PNP won the most seats; 16 of 19.

The PNP chose Washington Misick as its leader, therefore Washington Misick becomes the premier.

Popularity in the all island category in TCI gives one bragging rights (if they feel like it) and insight into how the public sees or accepts them. But, that’s all.

The voters in this 2025 runoff have demonstrated that of all the 20+ candidates that ran all island or at large, EJ Saunders was or is the most popular because he got the most votes in this category. He’s got to feel good about that fact and he should. That’s some seriously bankable political capital which he can spend in a bid to become the next leader of the PNP first, then the Turks and Caicos Islands if his party is able to repeat a victory in 2030, which is when elections are constitutionally due.

Popularity is super but in the Turks and Caicos’ system it does not automatically mean, premier.

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Government

Turnpike, Traffic Lights and Digital Gov’t feature in PNP Five Year Plan

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Danae Dennie

Staff Writer 

 

 

Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – The Progressive National Party has won the 2025 election and now the clock starts ticking. As they take office, with their manifestos as their guide, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) now await an improved society.

The Progressive National Party (PNP) has shared a plethora of  plans in its Citizen’s Contract 2.0, their manifesto which will be used as a blueprint for their five-year tenure for the TCI.

The question now looms, will they follow through on their promises or will they fall short?

The PNP has a track record of establishing beneficial initiatives within the country; they have instituted free education at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College for all citizens, introduced a national minimum wage and increased  public service pay.

So, what’s next? According to the PNPs’s Manifesto their vision is to build a society where social and economic progress is guaranteed for all citizens with equity, transparency and integrity as their guiding principles.

In the next five years the PNP shares that they will strive for sustainable economic growth  and development. They plan to create more employment and income opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders and boost the TCI’s potential.

Examples of these plans include supporting youth entrepreneurs through venture capital and equity investments,  and they plan to develop Agro Parks to boost the agricultural industry.

The PNP has also pledged to expand infrastructure.

As the TCI Tourism Industry booms, the infrastructure has to grow as well. The PNP hopes to expand the Howard Hamilton International Airport, South Dock and other ports.

Other developments include redeveloping the Millennium Highway to a four lane dual-carriage in each direction, developing a series of parallel roads to Leeward Highway to ease traffic congestion and facilitate traffic flow in emergencies.

As well as developing  the “Caicos Turnpike” from Providenciales to South Caicos.

They also plan to install a traffic light system in Providenciales to help regulate the flow of traffic, ease congestion and improve safety.

Energy reform is also on the list to be championed.

The PNP shares that it is committed to transforming the energy landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure sustainability, affordability, and reliability. With plans to upgrade the power grid to accommodate an expanding renewable energy infrastructure.

A Digital Government is also being pushed for the TCI. They plan to ensure that every citizen and resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands has access to faster, more convenient, and more transparent government services through new technological advancements like AI and smart technology. They also plan to offer high-quality online courses and training to equip the young people of the TCI with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future.

One of the major topics of discussion in this election was the state of healthcare.

In the PNP Manifesto, they shared that they  plan to build a better healthcare system that is resilient, prioritizes prevention, and embraces innovation. They will do this by establishing a National Health Services Authority (NHSA) and a National Health Information System (NHIS), this would provide Electronic Health Records, and a National Disease Surveillance System for tracking communicable diseases.

The PNP administration  also vows to rid the TCI of unregulated jitneys and provide  reliable, safe and cost-effective public transportation. Other plans include improvement on waste management. For social provision they plan to  establish new benchmarks and make provisions in the TCI budget to ensure that both equity and need are given full weight to improve the quality of life for TC Islanders. This will be done through initiatives like expanding the Children Nutritional Programme and providing high quality education at all levels as well as improving the sporting industry.

The PNP believes that every citizen should have access to adequate, affordable housing in safe fully serviced communities. In their next term, the PNP Administration will set up an independent New Towns Taskforce, as part of a long-term vision to create economically viable communities of at least 1,000 new homes each. Their goal is to complete three communities with 3,000 homes over the next five years.

Today’s youth are the future of tomorrow. The PNP acknowledges this and has vowed to increase access to tertiary education, skills and vocational training; expand the National Youth Service to offer apprenticeship, mentorship and subsidized training with the private sector as well as  establish accessible mental health facilities and services tailored to young people in every community, including counselling and crisis support hotlines.

The major aim of the PNP government is to meet the goals put in place in their Vision 2040 plan. The PNP shares that they are committed to the rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, political stability, better regulatory quality, and accountability in order to reach these goals.

To build on this foundation, the PNP highlights its track record of keeping promises and its commitment to delivering on new plans that will drive the country forward. The PNP emphasized that the promises made over the past four years were fulfilled. With a vision for a better future for the TCI, delivering on their new plans is essential for the country’s progress. The nation has chosen to keep the boat steady, hoping for smooth waters and steady sailing in the years ahead.

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