Health Minister Zane DeSilva honoured eight Bermudians with scholarships to help them move ahead in the medical field.Samáe Williams, Jennifer Wilson, Ciara Talbot, Lara Loescher, LeRhonda Mills, Angelita Trott, Erica Ingemann and Veronica Baptista were each awarded with the Dr Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship at a presentation at Camden House.In total, the Ministry of Health will be giving more than $70,000 in scholarship funding to students starting careers or seeking professional development this year.Speaking at the presentation, Mr DeSilva said that each of the recipients stood out as people who had the potential to succeed, and bring their talents back to the Island.“As most of us know, there is an international shortage of healthcare workers. In fact, the World Health Organisation estimates that there is a shortfall of more than 4.3 million health workers worldwide,” Mr DeSilva said.“It is for this reason, coupled with the desire to Bermudianise our Island’s healthcare system and to strengthen public health in Bermuda that the Dr Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship was created.”“I am so pleased to be here today to meet such worthy recipients of this award, and best of all, we can do so under the name of an extraordinary woman, Dr Barbra Ball, a true heroine of the medical profession here in Bermuda.”Dr Ball was a pioneer, not only as the first female doctor to be given privileges at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, but for her work at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Bermuda.The scholarship in her name was begun in 2008, and are offered annually for study in the medical field, such as nursing, occupational therapy, dentistry, psychiatry and medical studies.Along with scholarships, a Ministry of Health spokeswoman said that the Ministry assists successful applicants by offering summer employment during the duration of the scholarship.Useful website: www.gov.bm