The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has a new Board at the helm, with new appointments complementing existing Board members, says Minister of Health, Sports, Youth and Culture, the Hon Osbourne Bodden.

The Board will be chaired by Mr Albert Anderson, with Mr Jonathan Tibbetts his Deputy Chair. Existing Board member Ms Wanda Ebanks will continue in her role as legal advisor, while Mr Ryan Walrond also retains his position as IT representative. Ms Karie Bergstrom has been appointed as the Board’s human resources representative and Baron Jacob will be the Board’s accountant. Dr Ruthlyn Pomares is the Board’s medical expert.

Minister Bodden confirms that he is delighted with the composition of the Authority’s Board, calling the Board “a very competent group of individuals”.

“I’m very excited at the prospect of us working together to improve our health services in this country and finding the best way forward for the HSA at this time,” he confirms.  “This is an extremely active time for Cayman’s medical industry and medical tourism is on the rise; hence these are interesting times to re-shape and guide our future plans.”

Minister Bodden says the Government will continue in its quest to bring affordable and accessible healthcare to residents of the Cayman Islands, ably assisted by the new HSA Board: “Overseas health care is very expensive and we have to seek to improve our local offerings to reduce this.”

Having every confidence in the newly created HSA Board, Minister Bodden states that he and his Ministry look forward to working alongside the Board to ensure these goals are attained. He also has words of gratitude for the outgoing Board.

“My sincere thanks go to the previous HSA Board. Their hard work and enthusiasm has helped us chart a sustainable path forward for Cayman’s healthcare and we look forward to building on their efforts going forward.”

HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood also expressed her pleasure at the newly created Board: “Healthcare globally is at a crucial juncture, with governments the world over trying to balance the medical needs of their populations with skyrocketing healthcare costs. We are therefore delighted to welcome our new Board and have every faith that they will help the Cayman Islands deal with this difficult balancing act.”