Save the Date: November 5–6, 2026
Join the Leading Event in Healthcare Innovation — GBMDA Annual Scientific Conference 2026
The Grand Bahama Medical and Dental Association is a not for profit organization. It’s membership includes medical and dental physicians primarily on the island of Grand Bahama but whose practices may span the remainder of the Northern Bahamas and New Providence.
The objectives of the association include fostering better relationships amongst the members of the medical and dental professions on Grand Bahama Island, improving the professional knowledge and skills of its members, improving the standards of medical and dental services on Grand Bahama Island and supporting a high standard of ethics and conduct for all members.
Date: November 5–6, 2026
Location: Pelican Bay Resort, Lucaya, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Greetings!
We are pleased to introduce our upcoming GBMDA Annual Scientific Conference 2026 under the theme “Transforming Healthcare Together: Innovation, Prevention and Excellence” which will be held November 5th and 6th at the Pelican Bay Resort, Freeport, Grand Bahama.
This years conference will be an exciting event bringing together experts in healthcare spanning our local, regional and international communities! Joining us this year as major sponsors are Baptist Health International and Doctors Hospital Health System! Your continued support has been substantial and a vital resource for the success of our conference! We also welcome and thank our partners from across the health care community which include Memorial Global Health, H.O.P.E. Patient Concierge, Jackson International, UHealth International University of Miami Health System, Cleveland Clinic, Nassau Agencies, Lowe’s, Abbot and Merck Serono who have continued to provide substantial support to the development of our conference.
Every year, we have the privilege of partnering with so many organizations who make showcasing our communities and providing a forum for health care education, sharing of resources, ideas, visions and projects possible. We would like to thank you as our partners, our colleagues, our patients and communities for your continued support.
Registration is now open — click Register Now to secure your place.
Sponsorship options, booths and ads are available!
“Transforming Healthcare Together: Innovation, Prevention & Excellence”
| Time | Session and speakers |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Registration |
| 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Opening Ceremony Moderator: Dr. Alexandria Foulkes-Beneby, Anesthesiologist, Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) & Advanced Anesthesia Care Prayer: Canon Norman Lightbourne, Hospital Chaplain, Assistant Priest – Saint Jude’s Anglican Church National Anthem: Abigail Duncombe, Bianca Dareus, Laila Sands & Jayda Swain, Bishop Michael Eldon High School (BMES) Opening Remarks & Introduction of The Honorable Owen Wells: Dr. Tanya G. Bethel, Consultant Radiologist, Doctors Hospital Health System; President, GBMDA Remarks: The Honourable Owen Wells, M.P., Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Wellness Introduction of Keynote Speaker, Public Sector: Dr. Shamanique Bodie-Williams, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Medical Chief of Staff – GBHS; Vice-President, GBMDA Keynote Speaker – Future of Healthcare in The Bahamas: The Public Sector: Mr. Charles Sealy, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority Performance: Island Medley – BMES Introduction of Keynote Speaker, Private Sector: Dr. Monique Pratt, Consultant Nephrologist, GBHS & Doctors Hospital Health System Keynote Speaker – Future of Healthcare in The Bahamas: The Private Sector: Mr. Dennis Deveaux, CEO, Doctors Hospital Health System Closing Remark: Dr. Wilfred Ferguson, CEO & Proprietor of Heritage Pediatric Clinic, The New Sunrise Medical Center |
| 11:30 – 12:15 p.m. | Viewing of Art Exhibit & Vendors Saxophone entertainment by Dr. Lyvan Gardiner & Dr. Abigail Wallace |
| Transforming Healthcare Luncheon | |
| 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | The Golden Hour, Rewired: Building the Future of Emergency Care in the Bahamas Dr. William Seymour, Doctors Hospital Health System |
| Transforming Healthcare: General Practice Part I Moderator: Dr. Tanya Bethel | |
| 1:30 – 1:50 p.m. | Circular Medicine & Prevention Arnold Slik (Virtual), Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Qiniq |
| 1:50 – 2:10 p.m. | Saving Life and Limb: Expanding Grand Bahama Capacity for Vascular Emergencies Dr. Charles Lucas, Princess Margaret Hospital |
| 2:10 – 2:15 p.m. | Q & A |
| 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Break |
| Dental Health Moderator: Dr. Charlene Reid | |
| 2:30 – 2:50 p.m. | Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry Dr. Souare Zienab, Easy Dental |
| 2:50 – 3:10 p.m. | Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Risk: A Dental Approach Dr. Danielle Durham-Cooper, Pavilion Dental |
| 3:10 – 3:20 p.m. | Q&A |
| 3:20 – 3:40 p.m. | Break |
| Transforming Healthcare: General Practice Part II Moderator: Dr. Monique Pratt | |
| 3:40 – 4:10 p.m. | Small Openings, Big Possibilities: The New Frontiers of Brain and Spine Care 3:40 – 3:55 p.m. Part 1: Inside the Brain Without Opening the Skull – Dr. Aristides Sotomayor (Interventional Radiologist), Hospital Serena del Mar (H.O.P.E. Patient Concierge) 3:55 – 4:10 p.m. Part 2: Through a Tiny Window: Expanding the Horizons of Endoscopic Neurosurgery – Dr. Maria Teresa Alvarado (Neurosurgeon), Hospital Serena del Mar (H.O.P.E. Patient Concierge) |
| 4:10 – 4:30 p.m. | Getting involved in Research Excellence, Practical Guidelines for Collaboration Dr. Alphanso Blake Jr., UWI |
| 4:30 – 4:50 p.m. | Clinical Documentation Integrity / Improvement (CDI) for the Clinician Dr. Ramonette Burgos (Virtual) |
| 4:50 – 5:00 p.m. | Q&A |
| 5:00 p.m. | Closing for Today |
| Time | Session and speakers |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Registration |
| Transforming Healthcare: General Practice Part III Moderator: Dr. Odia Stubbs | |
| 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. | From Stigma to Support: Transforming Mental Health Care Together Dr. Daphne Adderley-Sands, GBHS |
| 9:50 – 10:10 a.m. | Advanced Dementia Care and Disease Modifying Therapies Dr. Indira Grimes, Public Hospitals Authority |
| 10:10 – 10:30 a.m. | From Risk to Resilience: Reimagining Preventive Care Dr. Chrispin Gomez (Family Medicine), Public Hospitals Authority |
| 10:30 – 10:40 a.m. | Q & A |
| 10:40 – 10:55 a.m. | Break |
| Transforming Healthcare: Cardiovascular Moderator: Dr. Winston Forbes | |
| 11:00 – 11:20 p.m. | Multidisciplinary Team-Based Care: Treatment of Cardiac Amyloidosis Dr. Fabian Vargas, University of Miami (Virtual) |
| 11:20 – 11:40 p.m. | Heart Failure in 2026: The Four-Pillar Approach Dr. Juan Lopez, Baptist Health |
| 11:40 – 12:00 p.m. | Atrial Fibrillation: Detection, Anticoagulation, and Rhythm Control Dr. Rogeolle Morris, Princess Margaret Hospital |
| 12:00 – 12:10 p.m. | Q&A |
| 12:20 – 1:20 p.m. | Lunch (Baptist Health Sponsored) |
| Transforming Healthcare: Oncology Moderator: Dr. Shamanique Bodie-Williams | |
| 1:30 – 1:50 p.m. | Early Detection for Colon Cancer Dr. Gemma Rolle, Doctors Hospital Health System |
| 1:50 – 2:10 p.m. | Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy Dr. Bernardo Mesples, Doctors Hospital Health System |
| 2:10 – 2:30 p.m. | Cervical Cancer Screening Dr. Justin Pintard, Princess Margaret Hospital |
| 2:30 – 2:40 p.m. | Q&A |
| 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| Junior Doctor Presentation Moderator: Dr. Alexandria Foulkes-Beneby | |
| 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | High-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix: a Rare and Aggressive Gynecologic Malignancy Dr. Andrew Taylor & Dr. Abigail Wallace, Rand Memorial Hospital |
| 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Mechanical Ventilation in Geriatric Patients: A One year Clinical Audit of Outcomes and Implications for Advance Care Planning Dr. Rajesh Veeramachaneni, Rand Memorial Hospital |
| 3:30 – 3:40 p.m. | Q & A |
| 3:40 – 3:55 p.m. | Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding GLP-1 Medications Among Adults in the Bahamas: A Community Transforming Dr. Charles Virgill, Public Health |
| 3:55 – 4:10 p.m. | Comparison of Nurses’ and Physicians’ Perceptions of Pain and Drug-Seeking Behavior Among Patients With HbSS Sickle Cell Disease at Rand Memorial Hospital Dr. Lashante Stubbs, Rand Memorial Hospital |
| 4:10 – 4:20 p.m. | Q & A |
| 4:30 p.m. | Closing of Scientific Conference |
| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Sunset Boat Cruise |
Don’t miss the Art Exhibit, a collaboration with the Grand Bahama Artists Association, on view at the conference.
CME credits are available for attendees of the 2026 conference.