Seven Government Nurses Among UWI Five Islands’ First Public Health Master’s Graduates

Seven nurses who received Prime Minister’s Scholarships through the Ministry of Health are among the first eight graduates of the Master of Public Health programme at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

The nurses, all employed within Antigua and Barbuda’s government healthcare system, completed the advanced qualification alongside Dr. Jonathan Macomie, who also works within the healthcare system.

Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, congratulated the graduates, describing their achievement as a milestone in the Government’s investment in its healthcare workforce.

“This is what investment in our people looks like. We are not simply supporting individuals to obtain additional qualifications; we are strengthening the knowledge, skills and capacity within our own healthcare system,” Joseph said.

The seven nurses are Roselia Carriere-Joseph, Miasha John-Carr, Nollareen Andrew-Richards, Tanasha Roberts, Joyann Richardson-Fiedtkou, Chelly Humphrey and Elaine Davis.

Joseph said supporting professionals already employed in government healthcare services allows the benefits of advanced training to reach the institutions and communities they serve.

“The fact that these healthcare professionals are already working within the Government’s healthcare services means that the benefits of this investment can extend directly to the institutions, communities and people they serve,” he said.

The minister highlighted the role of public health training in disease prevention, health promotion, surveillance and evidence-based policymaking. He said this expertise also supports the development of interventions that respond to the population’s health needs.

Joseph separately acknowledged Dr. Macomie’s accomplishment, noting that his completion of the programme adds to the expertise available within the healthcare system.

He commended all eight graduates for their perseverance and dedication in completing the demanding programme while maintaining their professional responsibilities.

To mark their achievement, Joseph presented each graduate with a gift basket and a bottle of wine as a token of appreciation and congratulations.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to developing healthcare personnel, saying a well-trained workforce remains central to improving the quality of care and health outcomes across Antigua and Barbuda.