Approximately 900 delegates attended the 17th annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference, bringing together local and international healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and industry representatives to explore ways of building healthier communities.
Organised by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, the conference ran from 22 - 24 October, opening with a private dinner for speakers and sponsors on 22 October, followed by two days of sessions at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, on 23 and 24 October. The theme was “Building Healthier Communities: Advancing Personalised, Preventive, Predictive and Participatory Care”. A new digital system also provided improved tracking of delegate attendance and participation in Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions.
This year’s conference offered a packed agenda, with more than double the number of speakers and presentations of previous years, giving delegates excellent value from the content on offer. A myriad of topics was covered, including prevention and vaccination, personalised and precision medicine, patient safety, adolescent health, mental health, artificial intelligence, stroke care and sustainable healthcare. Local and overseas companies also participated, helping connect delegates with developments in healthcare services and technology.
Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said the conference was an opportunity to consider how knowledge, expertise and collaboration can translate into practical improvements in health.
“Building a healthier Cayman Islands requires all of us to work together. From healthcare professionals and public health specialists to policymakers, community organisations, families and individuals, every contribution matters. This conference gave us the opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and consider how we turn new ideas into real benefits for the people we serve,” the Minister said.
“The real test of this conference will not be the quality of our discussions alone, but what changes as a result of them,” she added.
One early example highlighted was a reported tenfold increase in HPV vaccination uptake through Health Services Authority nurses administering vaccinations on the conference’s second day, following a presentation on vaccination.
Collaboration across the healthcare system
The importance of working together was also the focus of the Minister’s closing remarks, in which she returned to the orchestra analogy from her opening address.
“An orchestra succeeds when different instruments, skills and contributions come together to create something greater than any one player could achieve alone,” she said.
She noted that patients often rely on the combined efforts of many professionals and organisations, even when they see only one healthcare provider at a time. Effective care therefore depends on clear communication, shared information and coordination between everyone involved.
Encouraging early feedback
Early survey responses have been positive. Of the 314 delegates who had responded, representing approximately 35% of attendees, 95.9% said they would consider attending a future conference, 94.3% were satisfied or very satisfied with the presentation content, and 90.6% agreed the conference was well organised. The results are preliminary and may change as more responses are received.
Delegates who have not yet completed the survey are encouraged to do so through the conference app. Their feedback will help shape the 2027 event.
Digital improvements and continued learning
A refreshed conference website and direct online registration improved digital access to conference information, while on-site badge printing supported the registration process. The dedicated conference app brought programme information and session details together in one place, and QR-code scanning was introduced to track attendance at eligible CME sessions.
The changes were designed to make participation more convenient while supporting the conference’s educational programme and professional engagement.
An on-demand learning option is also planned, allowing people who did not attend the conference to earn eligible CME credits. Further details will be communicated once the arrangements are finalised.
Attendees are encouraged to keep the conference app installed. It will continue to provide updates and will be used for future Cayman Islands Healthcare Conferences.
Exie Tomlinson-Panton, Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry and Chair of the Organising Committee, said the enhancements built on the work of previous organisers.
“This year’s conference marks an important step for an event shaped by the commitment of many people over the years. Our aim was to build on that foundation; introduce practical improvements to the delegate experience and ensure the conference continues to meet the needs of the healthcare community.
“The digital enhancements are one part of that work. Equally important are the quality of the discussions, the connections made and the ideas delegates take back to their organisations. We are proud of what the team delivered this year and will continue to build on that progress,” she said.
“Delivering the Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference takes the commitment, coordination and expertise of people across the Ministry and the wider healthcare sector,” said Tamara Ebanks, Chief Officer in the Ministry.
“I would like to thank the organising team, our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, partners and everyone who contributed to this year’s conference. Their work brought professionals together from across the sector, and we will carry the lessons of this year forward.”
The Ministry will build on this year’s developments as the conference continues to serve as a forum for professional learning, knowledge-sharing and collaboration in building healthier communities.
The Ministry extends its sincere appreciation to all sponsors whose support helped make this year’s conference possible. Their generosity played an important role in bringing healthcare professionals together and supporting the exchange of knowledge, collaboration and professional development across the sector.
For more information, visit healthcareconference.ky.