Dr. Adina Bowe

Dr. Adina Bowe

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at WVU/CAMC

Dr. Adina Bowe is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at WVU/CAMC. She completed medical school at the University of the West Indies, completed her residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University and her fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Yale University.

She is currently the Director of the WVU Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment Program Charleston Division. She is also Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine and Psychiatry Residency Program at WVU/CAMC Charleston Division.

Dr. Bowe has numerous professional affiliations. She is currently Medical Director of West Virginia Health Right, which provides more than 45,000 medically-underserved, uninsured, and underinsured adults with free comprehensive care.

She is on the Board of Directors for REACH through Yale University, a SAMHSA initiative – Recognizing and Eliminating racial disparity in Addiction through Culturally informed Health Care.

She is actively involved in the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Addiction Psychiatry, and is on the Board of Directors as Chair of the Health Access Committee for AAAP.

Dr. Bowe has special interest in treating patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric illness in rural settings.

Dr. Bowe originates from Nassau, Bahamas, and enjoys being outdoors in her spare time. Her personal motto is:
“Although we all look different, inside we feel the same.”

Title:

Medical Marijuana

Objectives:

• For clinicians to become skilled at diagnosing THC use disorder
• For clinicians to become more familiar with the FDA-approved analogs of marijuana
• For clinicians to gain more understanding of the possible medical side effects of THC use

Dr. Bowe

Dr. Barto Burguera

Barto Burguera, MD, PhD

Barto Burguera is the Chair of the Endocrinology Department at Cleveland Clinic. He is Professor of Medicine in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and has a joint appointment in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine.

Dr. Burguera has also been recently appointed as Chief of the new Medical Specialty Institute. In this capacity he also coordinates the Departments of Allergy, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology and Genetics across all CCF international locations.

His clinical and academic interests are focused on the field of obesity, particularly the role of bariatric medicine and non-surgical weight-loss interventions to treat obesity and diabetes. Within Endocrinology, he developed an evidence-based integrated obesity/diabetes treatment program with shared medical appointments, which is being offered face-to-face as well as virtually.

He has served as a principal investigator, co-investigator on multiple federal and pharmaceutical funded projects, focusing on obesity therapy, both in the US and in Spain. He has published more than 140 articles and book chapters in the field of obesity and diabetes. He has organized several national and international symposiums around Obesity, and he is the Director of the Obesity Summit at Cleveland Clinic. He is involved in several Obesity and Endocrinology Review courses in Spanish and serves as Co-Chair of the new American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Obesity Guidelines Update Task Force.

Dr. Burguera is active in the Hispanic community affairs and is participating in several lifestyle intervention and obesity/diabetes prevention initiatives both in adults and children (ACTiVHOS) in the Cleveland area. He also works closely with the Galician Medical Society (ASOMEGA) and the Spanish Obesity Society (SEEDO) on the professional development of young Spanish physicians and medical professionals.

Speaker’s Name:

Barto Burguera, MD, PhD

Proposed Presentation Date:

May 1st, 2025

Presentation Title:

Obesity, as a chronic condition, why should you care about it?

Learning Objectives:

• Obesity: Severity of the problem
• The role of Appetite set point and basal metabolic rate in weight maintenance
• Cleveland Clinic experience with an Interdisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Program: Nutrition, Physical Activity & Weight Loss Meds

Dr. Carmen Cartwright

Dr. Cartwright

Dr. Cartwright is a Board Certified Endocrinologist who returned home to practice in early 2022. She received her medical degree with highest honours from Ross University School of Medicine. Thereafter, completing her Internal Medicine training at Aventura Hospital & Medical Center where she also served as a chief resident during her final year of training.

She pursued her passion by undertaking fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Einstein HealthCare Network in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She is a member of several professional societies including the Endocrine Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family.

Topic:

Osteoporosis: The Breaking Point

Objectives:

• Review the clinical definition of osteoporosis, osteopenia
• Review whom should be screened and the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition
• Understand the diagnosis and evaluation for secondary etiologies of osteoporosis
• Advances in the management of osteoporosis

Dr. Charlisa Gibson

Dr. Gibson

Dr. Gibson is a board certified pulmonary and critical care attending physician working in the intensive care unit at University of Maryland (UM) Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. She also holds an academic appointment of Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the NYU Langone Health in New York City.

She primarily manages critically ill medical, cardiac and surgical patients across the two major hospital systems. She also sees medical and pulmonary outpatients in Maryland and has worked part time in the ICU at Doctors Hospital since 2017.

Dr. Gibson’s interests include interstitial lung disease/sarcoidosis, critical care ultrasound, and medical education.

Dr. Chico Collie

Dr. Chico J. Collie

Dr. Chico Collie is an early career, Bahamian, anatomical pathologist, situated in Nassau, who practices surgical pathology in both the public and private domains.

He received his medical degree with honours in 2017 and post-graduate training in 2024 at the University of the West Indies, SCMR (Nassau, Bahamas) and Mona (Jamaica) campuses respectively.

Dr. Collie is interested in research, especially clinicopathological retrospective studies. He has published in the American Journal of Dermatopathology and has contributed several articles for PathologyOutlines.com.

Dr. Collie is a teacher and content creator. As of January 2025, he serves as an associate lecturer with the UWI SCMR. He also teaches pathology, physiology and pathophysiology on his YouTube channel, Pathognosis. Additionally, he is the founder and lead teacher at May Grace Precede, a non-profit organization and platform dedicated to discussing his other interests of philosophy and theology.

He is the husband of Tareia Collie and father of Chitara-Li Collie.

Ndubisi, Chioma

Presentation Title:

Reproductive Justice and How It Relates to Professional Codes of Ethics

Objectives:

• Define and explain reproductive justice
• Identify how reproductive justice aligns with professional codes of ethics
• Examine structural barriers impacting reproductive healthcare
• Apply a reproductive justice lens to clinical practice
• Empower physicians to advocate for reproductive justice

Dr. Davina Knowles-Robinson

Dr. Davina A. Knowles-Robinson

Dr. Davina A. Knowles-Robinson was born in Nassau, The Bahamas. She graduated from St. Augustine’s College, high school with honors. Dr. Knowles-Robinson then completed a Bachelors of Science (BSc) degree in Biology at Dalhousie University, Canada. She went on to obtain a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad.

During her tenure at UWI her love for philanthropic means fueled her desire to start a non-profit organization, Doctors Empowering And Rebuilding Society, affectionately called DEARS, which inspired other medical students and physicians to give back to the community in a variety of ways. After-which, Dr. Knowles-Robinson completed her residency program and obtained her Doctor of Medicine in Psychiatry from the University of the West Indies.

Currently Dr. Knowles-Robinson works at Public Health Authority as a Senior Registrar Psychiatrist and rotates between Princess Margaret Hospital, Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, Bahamas Department of Corrections, and Community Clinics. Moreover, she started the Psychiatric Services at Oak Tree Medical Center where she practices privately.

Dr. Knowles-Robinson is married to Cyril Robinson and they share three children, Hailey, Benicio and Cairo Robinson. They attend the Bahamas Harvest Church. Her mission is to spread awareness about mental health in the community and decrease the stigma associated with mental illness.

Presentation Title:

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in The Bahamas

Objectives:

• Exploring prevalence and risk factors in The Bahamas
• Screening and diagnosis of PMADs
• Interventions and Treatment of PMADs

Regards,
Dr. Davina Knowles-Robinson

Dr. John Diaz

John P. Diaz, M.D.

Dr. John P. Diaz is a renowned gynecologic oncologist and a leader in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. He serves as the medical director of Robotic Surgery and chair of the Robotics and Innovations in Surgery Subcommittee at Baptist Health. In addition, he is the chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, where he specializes in advanced surgical techniques and groundbreaking research in gynecologic cancers, including endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.

Born and raised in Miami, Dr. Diaz earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Miami. He completed his obstetrics/gynecology residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and pursued a prestigious gynecologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he received the Department of Surgery Chairman’s Award. He later returned to Miami to serve as an attending physician at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A pioneer in fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer and sentinel lymph node mapping for gynecologic malignancies, Dr. Diaz has helped establish these approaches as standards of care. His research focuses on novel surgical techniques for ovarian cancer, immunotherapy, and innovative cancer treatments, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In 2019, he was awarded a $1.8 million grant to study immunotherapy and PARP inhibitors for cervical cancer treatment.

Most recently, Dr. Diaz collaborated with Memorial Sloan Kettering to successfully perform a uterine transposition, a groundbreaking procedure aimed at preserving fertility in cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiation.

Dr. Diaz has published extensively in leading medical journals and is a reviewer for prominent oncology publications. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University. A sought-after speaker, he has presented his research at national and international conferences, contributing to the advancement of gynecologic oncology worldwide.

MiamiCancerInstitute.com
For international inquiries: 786-596-2373 • International@BaptistHealth.net • BaptistHealth.net/International

Dr. Krista Nottage

Dr. Krista Nottage

Dr. Krista Nottage is a general surgeon, and a graduate of the University of the West Indies DM Surgery programme. She was born in Nassau, at the Princess Margaret Hospital, where she now operates in the Department of General Surgery. She derives joy from engaging with the patients she serves, their stories, and journeys. Her current interests include Breast and Endocrine surgery on the broader background of surgical oncology. She is excited to be at the beginning of a career, signposting a journey, and writing a new chapter of herstory.

Presentation Title:

Cancer in the Young

Objectives:

• Defining cancer in the young
• Understanding risk factors and environmental influences where they exist
• Global and local trends in incidence/prevalence of different cancers in the young
• Identifying ways forward in early detection and treatment

Now this is a new emerging topic but I will do my best to summarize what is known and what there is yet to know and understand about this topic.

With thanks,
Krista Nottage

Dr. Kristine Parker-Curling

Dr. Kristine Parker-Curling

Dr. Kristine Parker-Curling is a Bahamian Physician & Specialist who is board certified in the specialties and subspecialties of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism and Obesity Medicine.

Dr. Parker-Curling is a speaker, writer, and is the #1 Bestselling author of ‘Beyond The Knowledge: Power Steps for Doctoring With A Human Touch’, an instructional exploration of the need for self-care while caring for others.

She pursued her undergraduate studies at McMaster University in Canada, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, before matriculating to the University of The West Indies where ultimately, she obtained her Medical Degree with honours, and is a proud graduate of the UWI School of Clinical Medicine & Research (UWI-SCMR), Nassau Bahamas.

Her postgraduate medical residency and fellowship training took her to the United States of America, where she trained at The State University of New York, in Brooklyn, and at The Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. She ultimately returned to The Bahamas where she currently maintains her clinical practice and serves as an Associate Lecturer at the UWI-SCMR.

She lives with her family: Dr. DuVaughn Curling and their two children.

She is one of the five children of Cedric and Josephine Parker. She is thankful to God for her many blessings and enjoys engaging in voluntary activities. She also enjoys athletics and music, but most of all, spending time with her friends and family.

Conference Theme:

The Silent Pandemic: Understanding and Combatting Non-communicable Diseases

Presentation Title:

The Silent Pandemic: Non-Communicable Conditions in Healthcare Professionals and how they can distance you from truly caring!!

Objectives:

• Recognize and address ‘burnout’ among healthcare providers.
• Define and address chronic metabolic conditions among healthcare professionals.
• Discuss how these silent pandemics can disconnect us from ourselves, from each other, and from our patients!!

Dr. Marvin Smith

Dr. Marvin R. Smith

Dr. Marvin Smith is a graduate of the College of the Bahamas, Clark Atlanta University and the Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia where he completed a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree in 2000. In 2005 he also completed full certification in Supply-chain Management from the MIND Institute of Jamaica.

He has worked for the Public Hospitals Authority since 2000, having served as Chief Pharmacist for all three public hospitals, Acting Director of the Bahamas National Drug Agency, Deputy Director of the Supply-chain Management Agency, and the Director of Pharmacy Services. He is currently assigned to Special Projects in the PHA.

Dr. Smith is currently serving his 2nd tenure as President of the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association and is the Immediate Past President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, after having served 2 terms as President. He is the only Bahamian to have held this office with the Caribbean. As a part of his Association duties, he led the Legislative Team that drafted the Pharmacy Act of 2009, the first major update to pharmacy legislation in the Bahamas since 1967.

He is a renown speaker and author, having presented over 70 lectures throughout the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa. His topics have ranged from scientific studies to practice-related issues, and have also included organizational development topics. His hobbies include music, sports, fraternal involvements and traditional gaming, such as dominoes and backgammon.

Presentation Title:

Quality Medications in the Caribbean – A Discussion of Issues Affecting the Availability & Costs of Medications

Objectives:

• Discuss the various methods of approval for medications via standard pharmacopeias in major global markets
• Detail the methods for how manufacturers are approved in major global markets
• Explain the concept of “pedigree” as it relates to supply-chain management of pharmaceuticals, specific to generic products
• Discuss practical methods for product evaluation in non-producing territories
• Evaluate current and future processes for pharmacovigilance for approved generic products in the Caribbean region

I am available for any time period except Friday evening and Saturday, as I am a practicing SDA.

Dr. Marvin R. Smith

Dr. Nicole Jones

Nicole E. Jones, MD, FAAP

Nicole Jones is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine. She specializes in the care of acutely ill and injured children. She is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. She currently serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support course at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

Lecture Title:

Chronic Disease in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Lecture Objectives:

• Identify common chronic childhood diseases that present to the emergency department
• Identify acute complications of common chronic childhood disease
• Initiate appropriate therapy for emergent complications of common childhood chronic diseases

Dr. Noelle Rolle

Dr. Noelle A. Rolle, MBBS, FACR, FACP

Dr. Noelle A. Rolle is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia where she is a clinical educator. She’s also the Associate Program Director of the Rheumatology Fellowship there and the Medical Co-director of the Lupus Clinic.

Born and raised in Nassau, she’s a proud graduate of Temple Christian Schools and The College of the Bahamas, currently known as The University of the Bahamas. She then went off to complete a Chemistry Degree at the University of Western Ontario before moving to Kingston, Jamaica where she completed medical school at the University of the West Indies in 2009.

She was an intern and SHO in the Department of Medicine at The Princess Margaret Hospital before moving to the United States to complete her Internal Medicine Residency at Harlem Hospital in affiliation with Columbia University, her chief year at the University of Central Florida, and Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of New Mexico.

She currently serves as the Chair of the American College of Rheumatology’s Collaborative Initiatives Standing Committee, which is a committee charged with improving health equity for patients with rheumatic disease.

Her research includes the CDC Georgia Lupus Registry in collaboration with the Rheumatology Division at Emory University and a multi-institutional teaching tool to assess rheumatology education for internal medicine residents. She's also contributed two book chapters to the medical rheumatology literature.

Presentation Title:

A 2025 Update on Gout Management

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the impact of gout as a chronic noncommunicable disease
• Describe and examine the current guidelines for the management of gout
• Discuss the clinical application of the guidelines in a Bahamian context
• Explore the future of gout management

Thanks for the opportunity.
NAR

Dr. Norad Morgan

Dr. Norad Morgan

Dr. Norad Morgan obtained a BSc. Degree in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin. Dr. Morgan studied Medicine at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Jamaica and studied Immunology at Trinity College, University of Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

Dr. Morgan is presently Clinical Medical Officer in the Department of Immunology/Infectious Diseases in the Ministry of Health and also practices Medicine privately at E-man-u-well Medical Center. He is married to Dr. Michelle McLean-Morgan and the couple has two daughters.

Presentation Title:

Music as Medicine

Objectives:

• The history, role, and evidence-based data of Music Therapy in Modern Medicine
• The role of music in a complementary setting as therapy for medical conditions (Music Therapy)
• The role of Music Therapy specifically in Autism, Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Medical Conditions, and Mental Health Conditions (Anxiety, Depression)

Enjoy the week.

Dr. Pamela Carroll

Dr. Pamela T. Carroll

About:

Dr. Pamela T. Carroll is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. She was born on the beautiful Caribbean island of New Providence in the city of Nassau, Bahamas some 44 years ago. She is a dedicated and compassionate physician, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Bahamas. With a strong commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Carroll has spent the past fifteen years dedicated to delivering comprehensive OB/GYN care to her patients.

Education:

Dr. Carroll received her early education in the Bahamas, graduating from St. Augustine’s College. She excelled in the sciences and knew at a young age she wanted to become a doctor. With strong support from her parents and a grandfather who always said, “You can do anything you put your mind to!”, she left the Bahamas to follow her dreams.

She was accepted to the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, Minnesota, where she pursued a degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. She graduated Magna cum laude from her undergraduate school. To further pursue her dreams, she continued her studies at St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies, where she received her medical degree, again graduating Magna cum laude.

During her medical school rotations, she was most intrigued by the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. To her, the OB/GYN physician played a crucial role in helping patients navigate their reproductive and menopausal years, and it was a rewarding one — assisting couples bring life into the world. As a result, Dr. Carroll applied and was accepted into a U.S. residency program, which she completed at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, Pennsylvania. There, she was exposed to evidence-based medicine and cutting-edge training which allowed her to provide assiduous and comprehensive care for her patients.

Dr. Carroll returned to the Bahamas in 2010 where she established and operates a highly skilled private practice, Bahamas Ob/Gyn Associates. Her practice focuses on high-risk pregnancies, complex gynecological surgeries, and infertility. She enjoys working through and solving complex medical issues with favorable patient outcomes. Dr. Carroll currently collaborates with numerous fertility clinics around the world, including in the United States, Panama, and Barbados, and has helped many couples achieve their dreams of having a family.

Dr. Carroll is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Diplomat in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She received the Rebecca Hogue Award for being the best team player during residency, and in 2020, she received the Physician Service Support Award for Maternal and Child Health from Doctors Hospital.

Presentation Title:

Non-Communicable Diseases: How They Affect the Obstetrics and Gynecology Patient

Objectives:

• Define Non-Communicable Diseases – statistics and known risk factors of NCDs
• Gynecology: Obesity, PCOS, infertility, use of Ozempic and GLP-1 for weight loss, and their impact on pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Obstetrics: Consequences of NCDs on pregnancy, management and prevention of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity

Dr. Paul Ward

Dr. Paul H. Ward

Dr. Paul H. Ward is a graduate of Queen's College High School in Nassau. After completing his advanced levels, he entered the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine in Jamaica, in September 1979.

He graduated from The University of the West Indies (UWI) with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, with Honors in Obstetrics and Gynecology in February 1984.

During the period 1984–1986, he completed his internship at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau. Following his internship, he worked as a Senior House Officer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In 1987, Dr. Ward returned to the University of the West Indies to begin postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed his residency training at UWI and was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

He returned home in 1992 and worked as a Senior Registrar at Princess Margaret Hospital. In June 1995, he was promoted to Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and transferred to the Rand Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Ward is a Fellow of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

His private practice began at Lucayan Medical Centre West, Freeport, Grand Bahama, from June 1995 to July 1999. Since August 1999, he has practiced privately at St. Jude’s Medical Centre, where he is now the Medical Director.

• He served as Chief of Service (Obstetrics & Gynecology) at the Rand Memorial Hospital for six years.
• He also served as Medical Chief of Staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital for six years.
• He is a former Medical Advisor of the Public Hospitals Authority.
• He is currently retired after 41 years of service with the Ministry of Health/Public Hospitals Authority and now serves on the Board of Directors of the Public Hospitals Authority.
• He is a Justice of the Peace and resident of Freeport, Grand Bahama.

He is married to Mavis Ingraham-Ward and is the proud father of two children: Dr. Paulisa Ward (Internist) and Dr. Paul Jonathan Ward (ObGyn Resident).

Presentation Title:

The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease

Objectives:

• An overview of nutrition over the years
• How a poor diet contributes to chronic disease
• Strategies to improve population metabolic health through good nutrition

Dr. Ramon James

Dr. Ramon James

Biography:

Dr. Ramon James is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, medical school class of 2011.

During this time he recognized his love for surgery and set out his goal to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He accomplished this in 2022, becoming the first Bahamian to complete the Doctor of Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery Programme at the University of the West Indies.

His quest to do Cardiothoracic Surgery took him to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland for three years, where he focused on minimally invasive thoracic surgery and developed a passion for this field.

Upon graduating, he returned to The Bahamas to provide services to his country at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctor’s Hospital. He has since returned to Jamaica as of January 2025 to continue serving the Caribbean region.

Presentation Title:

Non-Communicable Diseases – Matters of the Heart

Focus:

This presentation will focus on cardiac disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with coronary heart disease accounting for more than 50% of cardiovascular deaths.

Key Points:

• Prevention is key – identify risk factors, early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases
• Importance of screening programmes such as coronary artery calcium scoring
• Education and awareness, including long-term effects post-COVID pandemic

Intervention Strategies:

• Early treatment
• Access to medication, infrastructure, and expertise
• Revascularization options

Dr. Rhanda Darville

Dr. Darville

Dr. Darville grew up in Nassau, and graduated from St. Anne’s High School. At a young age, she decided to become a pediatrician and began her medical career journey as an undergraduate at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from medical school with honours in the Dominican Republic, she joined the Pediatrics Department at the Princess Margaret Hospital, where she developed a further interest in Pediatric Gastroenterology.

She completed her General Pediatrics training and chief residency at Rutgers School of Medicine, New Jersey, USA, and her Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI) fellowship at the University of Iowa. As a Peds GI doc, she is extensively trained and specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders of the digestive system, liver, and pancreas, as well as nutrition problems. During fellowship, her research focused on the roles of diet, sex and the microbiome in obesity. She has recently returned to the Bahamas, in part, to establish the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology, and is grateful for the opportunity to work with our nation’s greatest treasures, our children.

Presentation Title:

Weighty Matters – Removing Dieting from Diet Therapies (Updates in Pediatric Obesity)

Objectives:

• Definition of Overweight and Obesity
• Co-morbid complications of obesity in children
• Evaluation of the obese pediatric patient
• Pharmacological and surgical obesity treatment options

Dr. Susheel Wadhwa

Dr. Susheel Wadhwa

Consultant Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon
Doctors Hospital Health System
Nassau, The Bahamas

Dr. Wadhwa is a competent Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon with over 14 years’ experience in the management of a wide range of brain and spinal disorders. Having performed and been involved in more than 3,000 brain and spine surgeries, Dr. Wadhwa joined Doctors Hospital in the Bahamas in November 2019.

Prior to moving to the Bahamas, Dr. Wadhwa was instrumental in setting up the Department of Neurosurgery & Spine Surgery at Health City Cayman Islands. Over the last 9 years, his skill sets and excellent outcomes in the Caribbean have also attracted patients from Canada, the USA, and various other Caribbean Islands.

Dr. Wadhwa brings with him expertise in brain tumor surgery, revision spine surgery, navigation-guided brain and spine surgery, cervical disc replacement surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and micro neurosurgery. Competent neurosurgical skills, compassionate health care, and patient education form his core practice values.

Having received his basic medical training and neurosurgical postgraduate training in India, Dr. Wadhwa is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, USA, and the North American Spine Society.

With a keen interest in planning and development of innovative healthcare delivery systems, he aims to make quality neurosurgical care accessible to all. Dr. Wadhwa has also been a part of educational programs in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, mentoring and encouraging young local students to pursue careers in medicine and neurosciences. He has delivered educational talks at various forums and in media, as part of his commitment to public awareness on brain and spine disorders.

Presentation Title:

Looking Back – Principles and Management of Low Back Pain

Objectives:

• Understand the basic anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbar spine
• Outline the clinical evaluation and management strategies of low back pain

Regards,
Dr. Susheel Wadhwa

Dr. Terlika Chisholm-Smith

Dr. Terlika Chisholm-Smith

Biography:

Dr. Chisholm-Smith was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, where she received her early education at Xavier's Lower School and St. Augustine's College. She subsequently obtained a bachelor's degree in Biology from Macalester College in Minnesota and went on to earn her Medical Doctorate degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

She completed her specialty training in Pediatrics at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, and achieved board certification with the American Board of Pediatrics in 2007. Dr. Chisholm-Smith currently serves as a Consultant Pediatrician at The Princess Margaret Hospital and as an Associate Lecturer at The University of the West Indies Medical School, Bahamas campus.

Presently, she manages the pediatric diabetes clinic at The Princess Margaret Hospital and is actively involved with the Kids With Diabetes (KWD) support group, providing expert opinion and support for children with diabetes and their families. Practicing Pediatrics in the Bahamas since 2007, Dr. Chisholm-Smith has acquired extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient care. Her current private practice is located at The Pediatric Suite within The Walk-In Clinic, Collins Ave. and Marathon Mall.

Presentation Title:

Pediatric Diabetes: Past, Present and Future

Learning Objectives:

After participating in this session, the learner should be able to:

• Describe the most common and also the rare types of diabetes seen in children
• Describe the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes
• Diagnose and treat Type 1 Diabetes in children
• Be familiar with the current research and the future treatment of Type 1 diabetes

Nurse Angelique Griffin

Angelique C. Griffin, RN, MSN, BSN

Biography:

Angelique C. Griffin is a distinguished Registered Nurse and esteemed member of The Nurses Association of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She holds a Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Education with Merit from the University of the West Indies, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honors from The College of The Bahamas, and a Senior Living Management Certification from Cornell University.

With a diverse and accomplished career, Angelique has demonstrated expertise across multiple domains, including medical-surgical nursing, clinical auditing, preceptorship, emergency flight nursing, and pharmaceutical sales. However, her most noteworthy contribution lies in nursing entrepreneurship.

As the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Care Designer of Happy Healing Homecare, Angelique has pioneered a patient-centered model of in-home healthcare that prioritizes compassion, convenience, and clinical excellence. Her organization provides a full spectrum of services, from companionship to end-of-life care, ensuring that patients receive personalized, high-quality support in the comfort of their own homes.

Her innovative approach to healthcare delivery integrates cost-effective, evidence-based strategies to optimize patient outcomes. By offering skilled nursing services and basic caregiving in a home setting, she alleviates many of the challenges associated with institutionalization, enhancing both patient autonomy and overall quality of life.

Beyond her professional achievements, Angelique is deeply committed to health and wellness, embracing a lifestyle that reflects her dedication to clean eating, fitness, and overall well-being. She enjoys working out, dancing, decorating, and gardening — finding joy in creative expression and the beauty of nature. Her passion for holistic well-being extends into her career, where she continually seeks innovative ways to enhance patient care and promote a higher standard of living.

In addition to her career and personal interests, Angelique is a devoted mother to her teenage daughter, skillfully balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with the joys of parenthood.

Angelique’s leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence have positioned her as a trailblazer in the healthcare industry. Through Happy Healing Homecare, Angelique continues to redefine the landscape of nursing entrepreneurship in The Bahamas, advancing the profession while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their families.

Presentation Title:

Your Partner for Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Unlocking the Power of Homecare

Objectives:

• Define the role of homecare in providing comprehensive patient care management.
• Identify key benefits of integrating homecare into patient care plans.
• Examine challenges in transitioning from acute care to home and how homecare bridges gaps in chronic disease management.
• Explore effective collaboration strategies between physicians and homecare providers.

I look forward to contributing to the discussion and engaging with attendees on this important topic.

Best regards,
Angelique Griffin MSN, BSN, RN
Care Designer
CEO and President
Happy Healing Homecare
Jonathan Square
P.O. Box N-1287
 Nassau, Bahamas

Dr. Elisa Greco

Dr. Elisa Greco, BSc, MEd, MD, RPVI, FRCSC

Biography:

Dr. Greco studied medicine at the University of Ottawa and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She trained in general surgery and vascular surgery in Toronto and obtained a Master of Education from the University of Toronto (OISE) during her training through the Surgical Scientist Training Program, as well as a Fellowship at the Wilson Centre for Research in Education.

After completing her general surgery training, she completed a two-year vascular surgery fellowship before joining the staff as a vascular and endovascular surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Dr. Greco is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and is committed to the educational development of medical students and residents. She was the Division Director for Undergraduate Medical Education for Vascular Surgery and created a new curriculum in 2018 for the Faculty of Medicine. She is the Director of the Vascular Lab at St. Michael's Hospital and has become the Program Director for the Vascular Surgery Residency Program at the University of Toronto. Additionally, she is the Faculty Lead of Wellness and Development for the Department of Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital.

She serves on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons specialty committee for Vascular Surgery and has been integrally involved in the development of the Competency by Design residency curriculum for vascular surgery. She has received a Certificate of Excellence in Leadership from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business. Dr. Greco has received multiple teaching awards through the Department of Surgery, including the DH Gales Education Award for outstanding contributions to surgical skills education.

Her clinical interests include secondary prevention of peripheral vascular disease, wound care with a focus on limb salvage and preservation, complex dialysis access, aortic aneurysm, and carotid disease.

Presentation Title:

The Complex Wound

Objectives:

• Understand the interaction between Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
• Understand the progression of PAD to Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI)
• Review current treatment and management strategies

Thanks,
Elisa