Saint Lucia’s nursing community proudly represented the island on the regional stage at the 33rd Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Nurses Organization (CNO), held in Georgetown, Guyana. The conference, which ran from October 20th to 26th, 2024, brought together over 300 nursing professionals to address pressing challenges and advancements within healthcare under the theme, "Nurses Strategically Positioned to Move Health Care Forward."
Supported by the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Saint Lucia Nurses Association, Nagicor Insurance, Simaie Insurance Agency and the General Nursing Council of Saint Lucia, a delegation of fifteen Saint Lucian nurses actively participated in the conference. Among the highlights of the conference was an impactful panel discussion on workforce sustainability, where Chief Nursing Officer Kerthney Charlemagne-Surage from St Lucia presented a meaningful contribution, emphasizing the importance of fostering a resilient nursing workforce in the region.
A proud moment for Saint Lucia was the election of three Saint Lucian nurses to key positions within the CNO Board:
- Alicia Batiste - Assistant Secretary
- Debbie Brown Joseph - Director, Region 3
- Sherline Duncan - Nominating Committee Chair
In addition to these prestigious appointments, Saint Lucian nurses were honored with two significant awards celebrating their contributions and dedication to the field.
Yolanda Alcindor was named Nurse of the Year for Saint Lucia, while Sherline Duncan received the Mavis Harney Clinical Nursing Practice Award.
The conference agenda covered pivotal topics, including Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, nursing leadership, mental health, and the role of nursing in health policy. The Caribbean Nurses Organization’s commitment to raising nursing standards, fostering unity, and advancing healthcare policy was evident throughout the discussions, which engaged participants in exploring solutions for the evolving healthcare landscape across the Caribbean. The CNO Biennial Conference concluded with the announcement that the next gathering of Caribbean nursing professionals will take place in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2026.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs extends heartfelt congratulations to all Saint Lucian nurses who attended, presented, and were recognized at this prestigious event. Their achievements highlight the unwavering dedication and professionalism of the Saint Lucian nursing community, whose contributions continue to inspire positive change in regional healthcare.