Caymanian scholarship students shine at 2025 Healthcare Conference

For the first time at the Annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference, eight Caymanian scholarship students presented their health research before national and regional experts, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.

The presentations were made possible through a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MET), an initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based healthcare and supporting young Caymanians pursuing studies in health-related fields.

Held on 24 October 2025 at the Ritz Carlton, the student presentations formed part of the conference’s wider theme, “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: A call to action for sustainable healthcare.”

The eight scholarship recipients presented original research on topics ranging from ageing, longevity and metabolic health to potential benefits of Irish Sea Moss as a natural remedy for autoimmune conditions, hypertension, and gut health.

A panel of judges from the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability reviewed abstracts submitted earlier this year, selecting projects that demonstrated strong scientific merit, relevance to local health priorities, and innovative thinking.

Praising the students for their contribution to Cayman’s growing research culture, Minister for HES Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said: “We are so proud of these young scholars. Their research demonstrates academic excellence and a genuine commitment to improving the health of our people. This collaboration between my Ministry and the Ministry of Education and Training, shows what is possible when we invest in data, innovation and Caymanian talent.”

Chief Officer for MHES Ms. Tamara Ebanks, said: “Our Ministry’s goal is to use data and research to shape the policies and programmes that support our national health priorities. These students remind us that the next generation of Caymanian professionals will play a key role in that transformation.”

Acting Deputy Chief Officer (Education Policy and Planning) for the MET, Mr. Elroy Bryan Watler, underscored the initiative’s role in empowering Caymanian scholars through practical experience and professional growth.

“This partnership not only strengthens collaboration between our Ministries but also provides our scholars with a platform to showcase their research in a meaningful way. By engaging with professionals in their field, they are building the confidence, skills and networks that will support their future success. This initiative truly reflects the goal of our scholarship programme to provide quality educational opportunities that lead to employable skills and meaningful careers.”

Building on the success of this initiative, MHES announced plans to host a Student Health Research Forum in 2026, creating a dedicated platform for scholarship recipients and other Caymanian students to showcase their health research.

On behalf of the scholarship students, Mrs. Noviann McLean-Gregory said: “This was truly a valuable experience; hearing about the Ministry’s goals and engaging with experts in the healthcare field through evidence-based research. It provided the perfect opportunity to network, learn, and build toward our careers in healthcare and research. I am sincerely grateful that my fellow Ministry of Education and Training Scholars and I were able to showcase our research in such a meaningful setting.”

Students currently enrolled in health-related programmes are encouraged to participate by reaching out to the Ministry at mhescomms@gov.ky