It was this exposure that piqued her interest in the profession. “Through this experience, I knew I wanted to be a nurse,” explained Nurse Wedderburn, now a Wound Care Registered Nurse at the Health Services Authority (HSA) with 17 years of experience.
“After graduating high school, and the horrendous Hurricane Ivan, I officially started my journey in nursing with the Licensed Practical Nursing Programme at the HSA,” she continued.
Nurse Wedderburn now holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Nursing Degree. Her pursuit to excel led to her obtaining three specialty certifications in Wound Care, Diabetic Wound Care and Ostomy Management.
Nurse Kimberley Wedderburn, 2026 recipient of the Eloise Reid Excellence in Nursing Award.
In expressing her elation of receiving the Eloise Reid Excellence in Nursing Award, Nurse Wedderburn stated, “When my name was called, I was in utter shock. Even now, when I think back on the moment, I feel that quiver of excitement all over again.”
Reflecting on this milestone, she noted that the recognition carries a significance that goes beyond just her personal achievement. “With that same feeling of excitement also comes gratitude and honour as I was chosen to represent not only the name of nursing, but most notably the prestigious example of Mrs. Eloise Reid, who is one of the best examples of Caymanian nursing excellence anyone could aspire to follow,” she expressed.
Nurse Eloise Reid served as a Chief Nursing Officer at the HSA before becoming the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer in 2004. Her distinguished career was marked by visionary leadership and commitment to advancing patient care.
“Congratulations to Nurse Wedderburn. Her accomplishments are a testament to her hard work and foresight,” noted Ms. Lizzette Yearwood, HSA’s CEO.
Her progression through the organisation has been remarkable. It reflects not only her competence and dedication but also the opportunities that exist within the HSA for Caymanians to grow professionally and achieve their aspirations through hard work and perseverance. The professionalism and care she offers the community are encouraging.
Not deterred by challenges, Nurse Wedderburn welcomes what she describes as “daily doses of the unknown”. For her, it is an opportunity to improve. “It is so intriguing that there is always that door of improvement that is open for us to take advantage of and to provide the best and highest quality care for our patients,” she expressed.
Finding her stride in the profession has not always been easy for Nurse Wedderburn, who said, “I would have to say that the challenges throughout my career in Nursing have been what resulted in my biggest rewards. It was through those challenges that I became confident and secure in Nursing, especially in my speciality fields of Wound Care, Diabetic Wound Care, and Ostomy Management. In the beginning, my biggest challenge was adjusting to being an independent and practicing nurse, no longer under the watchful eyes of a preceptor as a nursing student.”
Having worked across several departments within the HSA and participated in the organisation’s Transition to Practice Nursing and the LEARN Clinical Ladder programmes, where she recently completed Level 3, Nurse Wedderburn praised the training programmes available at the organisation, the Cayman Islands’ only accredited teaching hospital.
The Training and Professional Development programmes have grown tremendously over the last few years, which has been an absolute asset to all clinical staff. The programme allows us to ensure that we remain confident and competent in our daily practices and skills and keeps us updated with evidence-based practices, thus producing consistent top-quality patient care
In lauding Nurse Wedderburn’s hard work and commitment to excellence, HSA’s Director of Nursing, Dr. Karen Stewart, emphasised that “this level of dedication exemplified by Nurse Wedderburn reflects the very best of the nursing profession. Her dedication to compassionate care, lifelong learning and professional growth serves as an inspiration and a testament to the high standards of nursing excellence we strive to uphold at the HSA.”
Offering advice to those considering a career in nursing, Nurse Wedderburn’s enthusiastic and purposeful message is to “Do it! But do it for the right reasons”. She went on to note that, “it is such a fulfilling feeling when you can share your love and passion through your nursing care. Nursing can be challenging, but that is the beauty of it, because those challenges are what will help you grow and become the best care provider you can be.”
Nurse Wedderburn joins the distinguished group of HSA nurses recognised for their outstanding contributions. This group includes Shanique Ayres, recipient of the 2025 Eloise Reid Excellence in Nursing Award, as well as Ruth E. McLaughlin Alumni Excellence Award winners Christina Blair (2025), Martika Williams (2024) and Gracian Beale (2023).
The Eloise Reid Excellence in Nursing Award recognises registered nurses and midwives in the Cayman Islands who demonstrate excellence, creativity and a deep commitment to improving nursing practice.