Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to announce the 2023 Dr. Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship awardees to this House and the public.
Mr. Speaker,
This Scholarship is offered in honour of Dr. Barbara Bertha Ball, the first born-Bermudian woman to practice medicine in Bermuda and a tireless champion for people's rights. After a brief stint in the UK, she returned to Bermuda in 1954 to dedicate herself to the welfare of the underprivileged.
Mr Speaker,
This scholarship covers a range of healthcare fields of study that directly benefit public health and are a priority to public health needs in Bermuda. It is another example of this Government’s commitment to strengthening our healthcare workforce and one of eight strategic principles of the Bermuda Health Strategy 2022 – 2027.
In this year's budget, $100,000 of funding was provided for the Dr. Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship, which is awarded to Bermudian students demonstrating academic excellence while pursuing careers or professional development in public health.
Bermuda has a shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in critical areas that have a significant impact on public health. This initiative reflects the Ministry of Health’s commitment to encouraging and supporting Bermuda's young people to join the healthcare workforce and perfectly aligns with what I believe Dr. Barbara Ball would have envisioned.
Mr Speaker,
This year, ten successful first-time awardees received $10,000 each.
- Ms. Elisha Bailey-Lewis studying Medicine at St. Georges University, Grenada.
- Ms. Jordan Bascome studying Medicine at the American University of Antigua, Antigua.
- Mr. Joshua Corriea studying Medicine at the St. George’s, University, Grenada.
- Ms. Dy-Juan DeRoza studying Public Health at the University of Toronto, Canada.
- Ms. Storm Gibbons studying Medicine at St. Georges University, Grenada.
- Ms. Ronnelle James studying Nursing at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.
- Ms. Roshae James studying Nursing at the University of Salford, UK.
- Ms. Harlee Purvey studying Health Sciences at Western University, Canada.
- Ms. Veronica Swan DeGraff studying Medicine at the St. George’s, University, Grenada, and
- Ms. Tiontae Thomas Clarke studying Nursing at the Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
Mr Speaker,
The Scholarship Selection Committee was privileged to receive 71 applications this year, including many of a high standard.
Candidates were assessed on academic achievement, financial need, public health need, and the quality of their application. 23 shortlisted candidates were interviewed and after a difficult selection process, 10 candidates were awarded $10,000 each.
Mr Speaker,
I wish to congratulate the 2023 Dr. Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship Awardees and I wish them a successful academic year.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.