Their visit marks the first group of advanced practice students hosted by the HSA, aiming to inspire Caymanians to pursue those roles as part of the continued strategic development of healthcare in the Cayman Islands.
Dr. Dawn Kuzemski, Senior Nurse Leader Professional Development, HSA
“The students attend this practicum in order to get a worldview outside of the USA,” noted Dr. Dawn Kuzemski, Senior Nurse Leader Professional Development at the HSA. “We used this opportunity to connect Transition to Practice (TTP) nurses and newly graduated Caymanian nurses who are interested in advanced practice roles. The nurse practitioner students also had a chance to dialogue with our general practice physicians and talk about how these roles would work together when nurse practitioners are licensed here in Cayman.”
The midwife graduates were assigned to the Maternity Unit and Women’s Clinic with a visit to Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac. Meanwhile, the nurse practitioner students were hosted by the Internal Medicine Department, General Practice, district and Paediatric clinics, and visited the Little Cayman Health Centre in Little Cayman.
“Many of our Caymanian nurses met with the students to learn about what these expanded nursing roles look like in education and practice. We hope to host them annually and explore exchange opportunities for our University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and TTP students in Cayman,” expressed Dr. Kuzemski.
Last July, the HSA signed a memorandum of understanding with the UCCI Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing to advance health education and provide real-world experience to prospective nurses.
Dr. Delroy Jefferson, Medical Director, HSA
Emphasising the importance of the collaboration, HSA’s Medical Director, Dr. Delroy Jefferson, expressed, “This visit to our facilities exposed overseas students to a healthcare environment that upholds high clinical standards and is deeply patient-focused. It helped them gain a deeper appreciation for the dynamics of healthcare delivery. These exchanges also promote the sharing of knowledge, which can inspire innovation and enhance the quality of care for our community, as well as develop local talents to ensure the best possible outcomes in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.”
Dr. Ruth Zielinski, Clinical Professor and Midwifery Programme Lead at the University of Michigan, highlights the educational value of the experience, noting, “Our students had the unique opportunity to experience aspects of healthcare that are specific to the Cayman Islands, including working with multinational healthcare providers and observing healthcare delivery on the two smaller islands. In the US, there are ‘healthcare deserts’, especially in northern Michigan, where access to care is limited. Seeing how healthcare is delivered on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman was a powerful and impactful experience for both students and faculty.”
As part of several initiatives to upskill and provide opportunities in healthcare, the HSA has expanded its Clinical Education Department, offering certification to operating room assistants and scrub technicians, phlebotomy technicians and healthcare aides.
Graduate students from the University of Michigan at the Anthony S. Eden Hospital (formerly George Town Hospital), where they completed their practicum.