HSA nurses receive Ruth E. McLaughlin Alumni Excellence Award three years in a row

Christina Blair has been named the 2025 recipient of the Health City Ruth E. McLaughlin Alumni Excellence Award, marking the third year in a row a Health Services Authority (HSA) nurse has been recognised and reaffirming the high nursing standard upheld by the organisation.

This award recognises the outstanding alumni of the Ruth E. McLaughlin School of Nursing at University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), celebrating nurses who consistently demonstrate excellence in patient care or nursing administration. Additionally, it acknowledges those who embody the six Cs of nursing: care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, and competence.

Three nurses from HSA have been consecutively honoured since its inception. They are Gracian Beale in 2023, Martika Williams in 2024, and most recently, Christina Blair for 2025.

Nurse Blair noted that her journey at HSA began in 2019 when she entered the Transition to Practice (TTP) Programme, a 12-month HSA initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academic studies and real-world clinical practice.

“Receiving this award is a deeply meaningful honour that reflects the grace of God and the unwavering support of my leaders, managers, and colleagues. Professionally, it strengthens my commitment to excellence and reaffirms my dedication to serving my community with respect, integrity, and compassion,” said Nurse Blair.

“HSA has played an instrumental role in my development, providing exceptional mentorship, guidance, and opportunities that shaped me from a new graduate into a confident and capable nurse,” she continued.

Director of Nursing Dr Karen Stewart noted that Nurse Blair’s achievement and the three-year streak exemplify HSA’s high standards of nursing excellence, which reflects a culture grounded in clinical competence and continuous improvement. “Sustaining this level of performance over time demonstrates strong leadership, adherence to best practices and commitment to quality outcomes.”

Receiving the award in 2024 was a defining moment for Martika Williams, who was eight months pregnant with her second child at the time. “It reminded me of my strength, resilience, and purpose as a nurse – qualities that have guided me throughout my seven-year career,” she said.

For the HSA’s first award recipient, Gracian Beale, now approaching 15 years in nursing, the recognition was an unexpected but deeply meaningful milestone. Both nurses credit the dedicated HSA preceptors who shaped their clinical foundation and entrusted them with leadership opportunities. For Nurse Williams, this included her transition into the Shift Coordinator role, which helped her grow into a more confident, compassionate caregiver. Nurse Beale stepped into the role of Charge Nurse, something she said she “would never imagine doing”, but accepting the challenge has strengthened her love and appreciation for the profession.

The HSA plays a central role in developing Cayman’s next generation of nurses through a strong training pipeline that begins at UCCI, continues through the TTP Programme, and extends into full nursing roles across the Authority. This is further supported by the HSA’s partnership with CIFEC, where students complete six- to eight-week Healthcare Aide clinical rotations under the guidance of experienced preceptors.

In 2024, the HSA deepened its investment in local talent through a Memorandum of Understanding with UCCI’s Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing, expanding opportunities for students to refine their nursing and procedural knowledge and interpersonal skills.

HSA’s Nursing Department has grown in recent years. According to Dr Stewart, this is driven by rising demand for quality care, strengthened leadership structures for greater oversight and clinical operations, improved nurse-to-patient ratios, enhanced regulatory requirements and a robust Clinical Education Department focused on continuous professional development.

These efforts were recognised at the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, where the HSA won both the Training Champion and Youth Education categories.

“Our investment in leadership, education, and workforce development ensures a strong, future-ready nursing team equipped to deliver the highest standard of care to our community,” said HSA’s CEO Lizzette Yearwood, who herself is a registered nurse.