Events

Dr. Vonetta George is a distinguished Consultant General Surgeon, healthcare executive, educator, and transformational leader. A graduate of the Antigua Girls' High School as Valedictorian, she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) Summa Cum Laude in Cuba, becoming the country’s first scholarship recipient for exceptional students in specialist training and qualifying as a surgeon at age 30. She has served as Head of Surgery at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre since 2020.
Driven by a commitment to clinical and administrative excellence, Dr. George holds Master's degrees in Emergency Medicine and Healthcare Administration. She is a Fellow of both the American and Caribbean Colleges of Surgeons—making history as the first woman elected to the Caribbean College’s Executive Council, where she serves as General Secretary—and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Embracing medical innovation, she completed Harvard's Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare program and serves on the Ethics and Governance Committee for AIONS.
Dr. George shapes health policy regionally and globally. She chairs the Antigua and Barbuda Medical Council and leads the national Emergency Medical Team (EMT-ATG). Formerly leading PAHO's Strategic Advisory Group for Emergency Medical Teams as President, she specializes in disaster preparedness and health resilience for Small Island Developing States. An active researcher and editorial board member, she has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications.
As an entrepreneur, she founded The Breast Clinic—offering comprehensive breast health services—and Healthcare Management Consultants, providing strategic leadership solutions. She also serves as Chair of the Fundraising Committee for Caribbean Women in Leadership (CiWiL).
Outside of medicine, Dr. George is an avid learner, traveler, and dog lover who treasures time with family and friends, guided by the belief that leadership begins with kindness and laughter is good medicine.

Dr. Veena Vignarajah was born and raised in Antigua, where she attended Sunnyside Tutorial and Antigua Girls’ High School. She earned her medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada, and completed postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at Maimonides Medical Center, New York. She subsequently completed a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. In 2025, she returned home with a deep commitment to expanding access to palliative care in Antigua & Barbuda.
Dr. Vignarajah’s clinical interests include serious illness communication, symptom management, advance care planning, and improving the overall quality of life for patients living with life-limiting illnesses. Her primary goal is to ensure that every patient and family feels supported, heard, and cared for throughout their illness journey. She currently provides specialized outpatient consultations, home visits, and dedicated support for her patients and their caregivers at OncoMed268.

Andre Bovell is a trained Pharmacist and an Epidemiologist who currently holds the position of Director of Pharmacy, Prevention, Nutrition and Statistics, as well as Chair of the Formulary Committee at the Medical Benefits Scheme in Antigua and Barbuda. He received formal training in Pharmacy and Management at the University of Guyana, followed by specialized training in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.
In 2025, Mr. Bovell completed his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at the College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. His doctoral research focused on the epidemiological and economic burdens of breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers in Antigua and Barbuda. This groundbreaking work has resulted in eight publications in Q1 and Q2 journals, an additional manuscript under review, and presentations at prestigious international conferences, including Breast Friends symposia, the Caribbean College of Surgeons Annual Conference (2024), the World Congress of Epidemiology (2024), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Conference (2025).
His professional achievements also extend to specialized governance and compliance training, including Audit Committee Certification from the Caribbean Governance Training Institute (November 2018) and Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism training from the Antigua Cooperative Credit Union League (March 2019).

Dr. Hanybal A. Yazigi, MD is a Consultant Medical Oncologist who serves as Chair of Oncology, Coordinator of the National Multidisciplinary Tumor Board, and Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) in Antigua and Barbuda. He is also the Medical Director of OncoMed268 Oncology & Specialty Medical Center.
Dr. Yazigi is actively involved in shaping cancer care at both national and regional levels. He serves on the Caribbean Cancer Portal Steering Committee and the CCP OECS Working Group for Cancer Policy Development—a multidisciplinary panel established in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to develop a comprehensive cancer care framework for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Additionally, he is a member of the National Cervical Cancer Task Force of Antigua and Barbuda and an acting member of the National Stem Cell Oversight Committee.
His clinical interests encompass breast, prostate, and gynecologic malignancies, with a strong focus on breast cancer, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, precision oncology, supportive care, and the development of sustainable oncology services in resource-limited settings. Dr. Yazigi collaborates extensively with cancer centers regionally and internationally to improve access to advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary expertise, and novel therapies. His professional mission is to ensure patients in small island developing states have access to cancer care that is innovative, equitable, and deeply compassionate.

Nicole Joseph-Chin is an award-winning, Board Certified Mastectomy Care Practitioner and the Founder of Ms. Brafit™, a pioneering social care practice based in Trinidad and Tobago. For over two decades, she has traversed five continents, dedicating her mission and voice to the psychosocial elements of thriving after a breast cancer diagnosis. As a practitioner in post-mastectomy care, she provides patient-centered solutions as a first response to restoring dignity, comfort, and confidence.
A recognized subject matter expert, she launched her book, Treatment Companion, in 2009 and designs culturally responsive educational programs for academic and community organizations. Her roles have included serving as CEO in Residence at the University of the Pacific and curating study abroad mentorship modules for visiting Health Sciences students from Spelman College. To address critical gaps in Small Island Developing States and the Global South, she incorporated filmmaking through the body of work The Weight of Care (2026)—part of the 16 short films comprising her Beyond The Scar Anthology, which has screened across five countries.
Ms. Joseph-Chin is featured on the UICC campaign website focusing on People Centered Care and serves as a Gender Advocacy Campaign Advisor to a regional ministerial office. Her extensive global recognition includes the 2024 Vital Voices Collective Action Award, the 2018 AFETT Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a 2017 Government of India Leadership Fellowship, and selections as a U.S. State Department IVLP Fellow (2011, 2021) and a Bank of America Cornell University Fellow (2021). Outside of her advocacy, she is an avid reader who enjoys recreational tennis, gardening, and exploring cultural and culinary diversity.

Dr. Kern Pemberton is a Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the Kingston Public Hospital, PRIME Medical at Half Way Tree, and the St. Joseph’s Hospital National Cancer Treatment Centre, where he also functions as the Clinical Director. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, and became a Fellow of the College of Radiation Oncologists, South Africa, having trained for four years at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. He has also commenced his fellowship at the Royal College of Radiologists, United Kingdom.
Diversifying his professional portfolio, Dr. Pemberton has completed diplomas and training in governance, public innovation, personal finance management, and property development. His clinical areas of interest include neurological, gynecological, and prostate cancers, with a keen fascination for stereotactic radiotherapy—pioneering its introduction in Jamaica in December 2023 at the Radiation Oncology Centre of Jamaica.
Deeply inspired by his patients, Dr. Pemberton views oncology as a series of profound life lessons and mutual therapy sessions, encouraging individuals to share their experiences to aid the national fight against cancer. Outside of his medical practice, his hobbies include tennis, swimming, equestrianism, the gym, pilates, music, and refurbishing wooden furniture.

Dr. Keisha Allen-Dougan is a clinical pharmacist, educator, and community advocate with over 20 years of multifaceted experience across various sectors of the pharmacy profession. She currently serves as a lecturer and clinical pharmacist at the University of the West Indies.
Throughout her career, Dr. Allen-Dougan has maintained strong clinical and academic interests in comprehensive diabetes management, pharmaceutical research, and the mentorship of the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her dedication to education and clinical excellence bridges the gap between academic research and direct patient-centered care within the community.

Emelda C. Hallpike Benjamin is a devoted servant of Jehovah God whose life is dedicated to serving others through faith, healthcare, and compassionate leadership. A Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife by profession, Emelda has pursued continuous professional development, holding certifications in Counselling and Strategic Human Resource Management from The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, alongside Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington. Active in Christian ministry from an early age, she has served in numerous leadership roles and currently acts as President of the Healthcare Christian Fellowship of Antigua and Barbuda.
With more than sixteen years of nursing management experience, Emelda has provided leadership across critical healthcare areas including the Male Surgical Unit, Female Medical Unit, Nursing Education Unit, and Oncology Unit. She currently serves as the Departmental Manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where she continues to advocate for excellence in patient care.
Following her personal diagnosis with breast cancer in 2017, Emelda transformed her journey into a mission of hope and advocacy. Recognizing gaps in emotional and spiritual support, she founded the Antigua and Barbuda Cancer Support Community (ABCSC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing holistic support for individuals diagnosed with all types of cancer and their families. Guided by its motto, "No One Fights Alone," the organization offers education, encouragement, and practical support to numerous cancer survivors and their support networks. Her life's work remains anchored in faith, compassionate service, and a dedication to transforming trials into testimonies.

Dr. Petra Miller Nanton is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, where she earned an honours-level double major Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Zoology, followed by an MBBS with special awards in anatomy, pediatrics, and surgery.
Following her internship at the University Hospital and Kingston Public Hospital in Jamaica, she worked in community health and pathology before relocating to Antigua in 2006. After completing formal postgraduate training in pathology in 2015, she returned to serve as Senior Registrar in the Department of Pathology, focusing on anatomical pathology, including autopsies, histopathology, and cytopathology.
Deeply invested in public health education and cancer awareness, Dr. Miller Nanton authored a weekly newspaper health column for three years and maintains a private family practice. Within the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, she contributes to the Multi-Disciplinary Tumour Board and the Institutional Review Board for Research (IRB), continually striving to advance patient care through accurate, timely diagnostic services.