Dr. Nick Gent, a former senior medical adviser in public health at the UK’s Health Security Agency, will take up the post of Cayman’s new chief medical officer on 3 Oct., the Ministry of Health and Wellness announced today.
Gent will replace Dr. Autilia Newton, who has been the interim chief medical officer since the departure of Dr. John Lee late last year.
Health Minister Sabrina Turner, speaking at a press briefing today, 31 Aug., confirmed there had been no local contenders for the position.
According to a brief biography included in a statement announcing the appointment, Gent, who received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award for his services to health protection in 2018, has more than 30 years of public health experience.
His most recent post was as senior adviser/consultant in the UK Health Security Agency. He has also worked as director of public health in district public health services, and served as an executive member for health service authorities within the UK National Health Service, with responsibility for public health, health protection and commissioning a wide range of healthcare services.
He has also worked with the European Union, World Health Organization and the World Bank where he advised on legislation concerning public health, human rights, health regulations and other matters.
In the statement announcing Gent’s appointment, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said he will be “a welcome addition to the Civil Service, and is preceded by a stellar career history and qualifications that make him well suited for his role as Chief Medical Officer”.
Chief Officer Nellie Pouchie said the Ministry of Health and Wellness was “pleased to have attained someone of Dr. Gent’s calibre for the Chief Medical Officer position. We look forward to working with him as the Ministry continues its focus on charting new strategic direction for healthcare in the Cayman Islands, including strengthening Public Health at the national level”.
Gent, in the statement, is quoted as saying, “There are many interesting opportunities for the development of health services and the public health system in the Cayman Islands and I am looking forward to working with the many highly skilled and experienced colleagues throughout the country to develop these opportunities.”
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