The Learning & Development Unit has opened its 2026 calendar with two robust Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions, setting a strong tone for the year ahead and reaffirming its commitment to clinically relevant, outcomes-driven learning.

Facilitated by Dr. Paul Saphier and Dr. Nicole Saphier, the sessions tackled some of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine, from acute stroke care and mechanical thrombectomy across both resource-rich and resource-limited settings, to breast cancer detection and patient outcomes in Antigua and Barbuda.

Participants engaged in evidence-based discussions that bridged global best practices with local realities, emphasizing equity in access to care and practical decision-making at the bedside. The stroke-focused presentation explored time-sensitive interventions, system readiness, and adapting advanced procedures to settings with constrained resources, while the breast cancer session highlighted screening strategies, diagnostic pathways, and outcome trends relevant to the local population.

According to the Learning & Development Unit, the opening sessions reflect a deliberate approach to professional growth—prioritizing substance over spectacle and ensuring that education directly translates into improved patient care.

“This is intentional learning,” the Unit noted, underscoring its goal of bringing international expertise home, sharpening clinical judgment, and keeping patient outcomes front and center.

Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, Medical Director of Sir Lester Bird Medical Center

Healthcare professionals from across disciplines were commended for choosing continuous growth at the start of the year, with organizers expressing appreciation to both facilitators for sharing their expertise.

As 2026 unfolds, the Learning & Development Unit says it remains focused on raising the bar through meaningful education that delivers real-world impact across the health system.