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.