Bermuda must develop its own healthcare professionals says Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHS) Chairman Jonathan Brewin speaking at the 2005 BHS Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute where scholarships were awarded to 14 recipients pursuing academic studies in diverse areas of healthcare field such as nursing, occupational therapy and social work.

Other areas include psychology, physical therapy, pharmacy and diagnostic imaging and the total value of the scholarships is approximately $230,000.

Apart from the scholarship recipients and their families in attendance, BHB CEO Joan Dillas-Wright and BHB Director of Human Resources Scott Pearman presided over the ceremony.

?Winning the awards is a very important achievement. It is extremely important to support Bermudian students in their endeavours in healthcare studies, particularly in light of the world wide shortage of healthcare professionals,? Mr. Brewin said, adding: ?Unfortunately this will continue to develop and therefore Bermuda must be thinking about developing healthcare professionals from our own families.?

Healthcare professionals play an important role in the community Mr. Brewin said. He hopes the scholarship recipients will speak to their contemporaries about the benefits of working in a such an important and caring profession.

?Being an ambassador for healthcare is going to be vital but also being an ambassador for the BHB is equally important. Our doors are always open to Bermudians who wish to study any of the healthcare professions,? Mr. Brewin said.

?As a counselor with an interest in mental health counseling for women, I want to address misinformation about mental illnesses,? Monique Raynor said, one of the recipients.

She added: ?I?m looking forward to working within the community that I?m part of.?

Recipient LeAnnette Tucker said: ?Nursing is about looking after people?s needs and I wish more people were interested in this field.?