From studying mite populations to reorganising one of the busiest Government departments, Kevin Monkman's climb through the civil service has taken him on an interesting journey.

As the new Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Family Services, Mr. Monkman, who replaces Kenneth Joaquin, has been settling into his new role as the top civil servant in one of Government's largest ministries.

Mr. Monkman had been the Director of the Transport Control Department since 2000. He took over his new post on October 1.

It's a long way from the 1980s, when Mr. Monkman joined the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and studied and documented local mite populations as an entomologist.

Although insect study is still one of his personal passions, today he is ready to tackle such complex issues as rising health care costs, diabetes, obesity and health issues.

Mr. Monkman said his main goal at Health and Family Services was to organise 400 employees at the Ministry and help to move it forward as Government develops its social agenda.

At first Mr. Monkman was startled to receive the offer.

"My task is daunting at times and challenging," he said. "This is a social Ministry and there is a lot we're trying to accomplish with Government. I'm trying to move the Ministry forward, which is very similar to what I did at TCD, although my role now is a lot larger."

Educated at Warwick Academy and the Bermuda College, Mr. Monkman graduated in 1980 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and stayed on to earn a Masters in Plant Protection and Pest Management in 1982.

He then returned to Bermuda to work at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks where he worked as a Plant Protection Officer for three years.

Before taking on his post, Mr. Monkman said his perception was that the Health Ministry could do a better job collecting information on health problems and delivering that information to the public.

However, he said during the last two weeks he has learned of the wealth of information available through the Health Promotion Office.

Mr. Monkman is also keen to promote awareness of the role of the Bermuda Health Council, saying it should cut out overlaps between health providers and ensure the highest standards of care are being delivered.

In March, 2005, Mr. Monkman will take part in the Bermuda Health Summit ? a series of meetings in which experts will work to identify key health care issues affecting Bermudians.

One of his goals is also to ensure that all of the goals of private sector organisations such as PALS, the Sunshine League and Meals of Wheels, who receive Government funding, are meeting their commitments.

Mr. Monkman said he was also eager to see Bermudians educate themselves about preventing the onset of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in an effort to curb rising health care costs ? a worldwide issue not unique to the Island.

"The Ministry has a role in educating the public and bringing it to their attention as it has a long-term impact on health costs and insurance premiums," he said.

Also on Mr. Monkman's agenda is a long-term goal to establish an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

Mr. Monkman also believes Bermuda should ban all smoking in bars and restaurants.

He has met with Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann who is working on a tobacco policy which recommends legislative changes.

"We're looking into the sale of tobacco in vending machines and in facilities which sell health care products ? there is a dichotomy between the selling of medicine and the selling of tobacco in the same place," he said.

"Overseas we have learned to be tolerant of the strict controls ? in the smoking community this is something there has come to be a wider acceptance of."

During his stint at TCD, Mr. Monkman felt his greatest contribution was personalising the department and implementing new technology such as the new Bermuda driver's licence.

He said he would still like to see a demerit point system adopted to deter bad driving habits and that he hoped the Road Safety Council will take an even more active role in promoting safe driving habits.

Mr. Monkman enjoys golf, the outdoors and spending time with Susan, his wife of 24 years, and their two children Laurel, 23, and Jordan, 20.