Dr. Judy Nisbett
Dr. Nisbett’s childhood and lifelong passion was to become a physician. This she accomplished at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and gained invaluable experience as an intern and house officer at the University Hospital. Upon completion, she was employed at the Alexandra Hospital, Nevis. There were very few doctors on island at that time and she often worked as the lone emergency room physician. In addition, she served as the house officer of the 52-bed hospital during the daytime hours while sharing on call duty with other hospital and district physicians at night. She also served along-side the surgeon for elective and emergency surgeries.
Dr. Nisbett transferred to the Department of Public Health as a District Medical Officer in 2000. She was appointed within three years as Medical Officer of Health for the island of Nevis, a position which she held until December 2021. As Medical Officer of Health, Dr Nisbett was responsible for the strategic leadership and management of Public Health. She distinguished herself through her work by developing, organizing, and supervising the delivery of comprehensive public health services for the citizens and residents of Nevis. These services included Community Nursing, Oral Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, Health Promotion and Information and Patient Care, including the Eye Care Program. She was also instrumental in introducing and implementing initiatives to enhance the overall health programme.
Dr. Nisbett enjoys the discipline of Public Health and has a special interest in Infectious Diseases. This led her to pursue further studies in Infectious Diseases at Tel Aviv University, Israel and currently the University of London. During her tenure, she has been exposed to a wide range of training opportunities which equipped her to be an invaluable member of the health care team. She continued her love for teaching, educating the public on health issues and provided continuing medical education to colleagues when requested. She also has a special interest in Women’s Health. Dr. Nisbett attributes her love for Public Health to her mother’s influence as a Public Health Nurse.
When the world was plunged into the COVID 19 Pandemic, Dr Nisbett sprang into action mobilizing the Ministry of Health, Nevis to formulate its response. Thus, when requested by the Honourable Premier Brantley to chair the COVID 19 Task Force and to formally lead the response on Nevis, she accepted the role without hesitation. She has had no regrets. She also considers it an honour to have led the Nevis Health Emergency Operations Centre and lauds the formidable contribution and combined efforts of the members of both groups without whom the milestones achieved would not have been realized.
Dr. Nisbett’s role on Nevis, during the crisis, afforded her the opportunity to become an integral member of the National COVID 19 Task Force and the National Health Emergency Operations Centre. She is pleased to have been a part of a strong team which skillfully and successfully managed the National Response. She thanks God for being able to proudly serve and live out her country’s motto, “Country Above Self”.
Dr. Nisbett’s dedicated and selfless service during the COVID 19 crisis resulted in the prestigious National Award, the Medal of Honour being conferred on her in 2021.
Dr. Nisbett continues to contribute to her island as the Infectious Diseases Response Coordinator within the Ministry of Health. Additionally, Dr. Nisbett serves as the HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Coordinator, where as leader of the Clinical Care Team, it is her responsibility to ensure the provision of the requisite optimal care, treatment and support to all persons living with HIV/AIDS on Nevis. She has served with passion and with distinction in this position and additionally as the Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Focal Point on Nevis for the past 21 years. She is recognized as a leader in the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS within the region and has contributed to HIV treatment and care publications and guidelines and has facilitated trainings locally and regionally. She effectively managed the process and supervised the team of stakeholders on Nevis responsible for the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis. Nevis successfully eliminated mother to child transmission of these diseases and was recognized by the World Health Organization on December 1, 2017 for this achievement.
Dr. Nisbett owns and operates a private general practice on Nevis, which provides an additional avenue to serve the people of Nevis and St. Kitts.
Dr. Nisbett’s love for teaching led her back to the classroom, this time as Assistant Professor of Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Skills at the Medical University of the Americas for over 15 years, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with her students.
Dr. Nisbett‘s interests outside of work include lawn tennis, photography and music. She is an active member and treasurer of the PanDoras Steel Orchestra, the first all-female steel pan group in Nevis. She also serves as manager of the Oualie Rhythmz Steel Orchestra which comprises teenage boys and girls. Though the primary focus is advancing steel pan there is also the aim of holistic development of the players. She is an active member her church, the St. James Anglican Church, where she is a Vestry member and treasurer with her involvement in these areas spanning over 20 years.
Dr. Nisbett is a founding member and 2ndVice President of the Nevis Business and Professional Women club, an affiliate of Business and Professional Women International, whose mission it is to develop the business, professional and leadership potential of women through advocacy, education, mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programmes and projects. She leads “Grow and Glow”, the club’s largest initiative to date which targets girls between 10 and 14 years of age, empowering them with key life skills that are not only useful to them now but into adulthood.
Dr. Judy Nisbett
Dr. Geoffrey Liburd
Inspiration/Motivation
Meet Dr. Geoffrey Liburd, a Nevisian neurosurgeon, whose passion for medicine was ignited at the age of eight. A pivotal moment in his life occurred when, as a second grader at Gingerland Primary School, he broke his hand while playing in the sand pit at the Gingerland High School. With no orthopedic specialists in the Federation and no doctors in Nevis at the time, he sought treatment from Dr. Steve Claxton, a gynecologist in St. Kitts. Dr. Liburd's journey to recovery was arduous, requiring multiple surgeries (his hand was broken and fixed three times), care from Dr. Fosbery, and extensive physiotherapy over the course of more than a year. Yet, it was during this challenging time that his determination to pursue a career in medicine crystallized.
Medical Specialty
Inspired by the renowned Dr. Ben Carson, a distinguished African American neurosurgeon and mentor, whom he encountered while serving as a Pathfinder within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dr. Geoffrey Liburd's journey into medicine was marked by humble beginnings and financial challenges. From his roles as a waiter at Four Seasons to teaching in Nevis, he embarked on his medical education at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica, initiating his neurosurgical training in 2001. With extensive training at UWI Jamaica, institutions in the United Kingdom, and Yale University, Dr. Liburd emerged as a specialist neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon, yet he humbly identifies himself as "a humble Nevisian boy."
Contributions to Nevis and the Wider Caribbean
Since obtaining full credentials in 2013, Dr. Liburd has been deeply immersed in serving the Eastern Caribbean Islands, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and the BVI. He receives referrals from various islands, including Dominica, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, Saba, and St. Maarten, and conducts major surgeries, including complex procedures, in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Additionally, he contributes to medical education as an Associate Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
Dr. Liburd's commitment to his community is evident through his frequent travels to St. Kitts and Nevis, where he conducts training sessions at Alexander Hospital and offers generous discounted medical services to Nevisian patients. Furthermore, recognizing the challenges faced by newly trained doctors in Nevis, he has played a pivotal role in in neighboring islands and facilitating pro bono air ambulance services for emergency medical cases.
Nevis continues to produce medical graduates from Cuba and Taiwan, yet due to the unavailability of internships on the island, these doctors face challenges in commencing their practice. Over the past two decades, leveraging his extensive network, Geoffrey has played a pivotal role in facilitating internships for newly trained Nevisian doctors in Grenada, Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica. Additionally, he spearheads the coordination of pro bono air ambulance services with medical facilities and practitioners, ensuring timely emergency medical care for patients across the islands. Geoffrey actively engages in discussions with relevant stakeholders at the University of Miami, facilitating opportunities for Nevisians to navigate the medical education system. His dedication extends to forging strategic partnerships, enabling him to secure favorable deals and negotiate prices for critical services such as air ambulance and medical bills. Dr. Liburd's efforts extend to fostering connections with the University of Miami to support Nevisians in navigating the medical education system.
Defining Moment in Medial Career
Reflecting on his career, Dr. Liburd recalls his first spinal surgery on Nevis as a profound moment, emphasizing the emotional impact and subsequent improvement in the patient's quality of life. With humility and conviction, he believes his purpose on earth is to serve others through his medical expertise. Dr. Geoffrey Liburd stands as a leading figure in the field of neurosurgery, serving Nevis and the wider Caribbean with cutting-edge care and compassion.
Dr. Geoffrey Liburd
Dr. Lornette Mills
Dr. Lornette Mills AKA: Mrs. Lornette Rawlins is the founder of The Dr. Lornette Mills Charitable Fund. In her professional life, Dr. Mills is the Co-owner and President of the three following entities: GI Associates of Maryland; Waldorf Endoscopy Center; and Waldorf Anesthesia Services. Dr. Mills is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, serving Southern Maryland since 1999.
The Dr. Lornette Mills Charitable Fund aims to aid Nevisians at home and in the diaspora in the pursuit of education and development of our school children, especially those in need. Additionally, support Nevisians with projects that help to uplift and improve our youths. The intent is to minimize or help eliminate any impediments to our children being able to fully participate in the learning experience. Additionally, address social and economic obstacles by aiding with school meals, sponsorship of the annual spelling bee competition, at both the Primary and Secondary school levels, in Nevis, and supporting other youth centered or deemed eligible programs.
Dr. Mills not only funds the Dr. Lornette Mills Charitable Fund out of her own personal income, but also gives free of her professional and personal time and expertise. She does this by delivering health related lectures and presentations, to both professional and social organizations and gatherings, primarily on gastrointestinal (GI) topics related to colon cancer screening, irritable bowel syndrome, or other related problems within the GI tract.
The Dr. Lornette Mills Charitable Fund began in 2013 and over the last ten (10) years, has provided significant financial contributions (US$117,348 or EC$316,840), primarily for the benefit of students attending the nine (9) public schools in Nevis (both Secondary and Primary), those participating in the Island wide scholastic spelling bee competition, and school meals program. Dr. Mills has also directly funded other activities, especially those youth related organizations affiliated with Dr. Mills favorite Gingerland, or activities of special interest to Nevis.
Dr. Mills continues to encourage others, especially those in the diaspora, to give of their time and resources, for the love of their country and island of Nevis, and to help ensure a stronger generation of youths, living and growing a better Nevis.
Some specific details on donations made by The Dr. Lornette Mills Charitable Fund follows:
· Annual Primary and Secondary School Spelling Bee Competition: US$ 15,676 to provide trophies, medals, cash prizes and refreshments for 208 students over the past 10 years, from the 9 public schools on Nevis (7 public primary and 2 public secondary schools).
· Annual School Meals Program: US$84,822 to provide, initially for the first two years, breakfast, but since, lunch meals assistance, to 351 students over the past 10 years, identified based on need, by the school’s Principals and administrative staff, working with the Department of Education.
· Computer Support: US$1,600 to provide 4 All-in-One Desktop computers at the Gingerland Secondary School (3 computers) and the Nevis Sports Museum (1).
· Nevis Empire Sports Club Aquatic Extravaganza: US$3,750 to fund the event, which focuses on the opportunity for young men to interact socially and for wholesome family entertainment, as well as displaying young people’s swimming and diving skills.
· The Indian Castle Fisher Folks Association: US$1,500 towards prizes and hosting of the annual fishing tournament. This annual fishing tournament had become one of Nevis’ greater sporting events and the Association has also donated to Gingerland’s schools, and community-based programs, such as in health and fishing.
Nevis Association of South Florida: US$5,000 to provide COVID relief supplies to St. Kitts and Nevis. The contribution helped to provide a social services benefit and included food supplies and dry goods for needed communities on both islands.
Dr. Lornette Mills
