The Tribune

Doctors Hospital Health Systems (DHHS) has confirmed the appointments of Dr Barrett McCartney and Wayde Christie as directors following voting at its June 27 annual general meeting (AGM).

The duo replace Dr K. Larry Carroll and Jeffrey Robertson, who served on the DHHS Board for 37 and 27 years, respectively. They announced last year they would not be seeking re-election.

"We certainly thank Dr Carroll and Mr Robertson for the time and guidance they have offered Doctors Hospital Health System over the years. Their insight and dedication to the continued development of the hospital will be missed," said chairman, Joseph Krukowski.

"We welcome the addition of Dr McCartney and Mr Christie, as their experience and knowledge will ensure that the Board of Directors is positioned to continue to guide the direction and ongoing development of Doctors Hospital Health System."

When Dr McCartney returned to the Bahamas in 1983, he was only the second Bahamian certified as a specialty-trained anesthesiologist. He started at the Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was committed to upgrading and converting the Departments of Anesthesia and Critical care to modern facilities and, in 1986, resigned from government service to launch his full-time private practice in anesthesiology, respiratory care, critical care and pain management.

Dr McCartney developed the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Rassin Hospital, a catalyst for the development of what was to soon become Doctors Hospital. He has chaired its departments of Anesthesia and Critical Care since 1986.

Dr McCartney simultaneously developed private medical services at Lyford Cay Hospital (plastic surgery medical tourism), Centerville Medical Centre (Ambulatory SurgiCentre and Birthing Centre), dental offices, and Sunrise Medical Centre (Freeport).

He was also involved in developing the Med-Evac private ACLS Ground & Air Ambulance service; Nurse N.N.O.W. home healthcare; the Bahamas Rehabilitation Centre: CareBahamas and Professional Protective Society, the Bahamas' first medical malpractice programme.

Mr Christie, a retired banking executive, started in retail banking as a teller with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. He worked his way up to the post of branch manager following a stint as international auditor in Toronto, Canada.

Following management positions in the automotive and investment industries, Mr Christie moved back to retail banking. At Bank of Nova Scotia he held a number of key management positions in Nassau before serving as country head, first in Antigua and then St Kitts and Nevis.

Upon his return to Nassau, he moved to Scotiabank (Bahamas) as senior corporate manager, and then became vice-president of retail banking until his retirement in 2012.

His attempt at retirement was cut short when he was invited to take up the post of chief operating officer and managing director at Bank of the Bahamas, where he served until April, 2016.

Other DHHS Board members include Dr Charles Diggiss, Felix Stubbs, Karen Carey, LeRoy Archer and Barry Rassin.