Ten Bermudians have been awarded Dr Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarships.

Congratulating all of them, Minister of Health and Seniors Jeanne Atherden said: “After due consideration, the ten scholarship winners stood out as having the combination of academic achievement and choice of healthcare profession that would be most beneficial to Bermuda.

“I wish all our scholarship applicants success as they prepare for their future careers in healthcare.”

The World Health Organisation has estimated that, due to growing populations, changing disease patterns and economic trends, there will be about 40 million new health sector jobs by 2030, mostly in middle- and high-income countries.

“I encourage today’s high school students to seriously consider a healthcare career,” added Ms Atherden. “The prospects are very good and the healthcare skills you learn will support our Bermuda Health Strategy and Action Plan.”

Since the scholarship was founded the Ministry of Health has financially assisted 38 Bermudians who are beginning careers or pursuing professional development in public health,” explained a Ministry spokesperson.

“Scholarships may be offered for study in the following areas — nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dental hygiene, dentistry, psychiatry, drug counselling, social work, occupational safety and health, environmental health and medical studies.

“This year the Ministry received over 60 applications, many of an exceedingly high standard. Eligible applications were assessed based on academic achievement, financial need and public health need for the profession studied.”

This year’s recipients were:

Gerteikquia Hatherley, Nursing, University of Alabama in Huntsville;

Deidra Ferguson, Nursing, Southern Adventist University;

Dwaynisha Pearman, Nursing, New England Institute of Technology;

Chioma Nwasike, Medicine, Dalhousie University;

Rachel Card, Family Nurse Practitioner, Chamberlain College of Nursing;

Meliseanna Gibbons, Medicine, St. George’s University;

Morrissa Tucker, Social Work, Rutgers University;

Teleza Pitcher, Dental Surgery, Howard University;

Stephanie Wright, Nursing, Sheffield Hallam University;

Reglindis Ratteray, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Southern Adventist University

• Dr Barbara Ball was born in Bermuda in 1924. Following her graduation from Liverpool University Medical School in 1949 and a short working stint in the United Kingdom, Dr Ball returned to Bermuda in 1954 and devoted her life to the needs of the downtrodden. She was the first female physician to practice medicine in Bermuda, and a champion for people’s rights.