Bridgetown, Barbados, 25th June 2025 (PAHO). PAHO was one of several institutions that received a courtesy call when a visiting team from Western Kentucky University in the USA was in Barbados.
The esteemed team comprised the following. Dr. Bernard Strenecky, Honorary Consul for Barbados in Kentucky and Scholar-in-Residence, Western Kentucky University; Dr. Bethany Hodge, Chairperson of the Board of Supplies Over Seas (SOS) International, Kentucky Department of Public Health Infectious Disease Branch Manager and a Pediatrician and Dr. Hartley Feld, Chair of Global Affairs and Global Health, University of Kentucky College of Nursing. The visit was organized and facilitated by the Consul General of Barbados in Miami, Rudy Grant, who accompanied the team to PAHO.
The team met with Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, Advisor NCDs and Mental Health and Acting PWR, Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Advisor, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, and Guy Earle, International PAHO Consultant, Program Management and Partnerships.
The Consul General Rudy Grant explained the relationship between the Government of Barbados and Western Kentucky University and the purpose of this visit. Dr. Strenecky further explained that Western Kentucky University has been collaborating with Barbados for more than 30 years, providing the island with medical equipment. The mission was designed to understand the real impact that these donations have had on the health services and to explore additional collaborations, such as nursing training and exchange programs.
To provide a better understanding of the role of PAHO and the ECC country office, Dr Malcolm explained PAHO’s structure, purpose and mission in its member states. She further highlighted the importance of collaborations with other entities, such as academia, to support technical cooperation with Member States. The team also discussed the possibilities for the ECC countries to benefit from similar equipment donations.
The Honorary Consul, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and PAHO will engage in further discussions with Western Kentucky University to determine areas where the entities can work together.
While in Barbados, the US visitors also met with personnel from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of the West Indies and the Barbados Community College.
