BHB Announces Senior Physician Appointments
Bermuda Hospitals Board today [March 1] announced a number of senior physician appointments.
Dr Michael Ashton [pictured] has been appointed to the position of Chief of Medicine, reporting to the Chief of Staff. BHB’s previous Chief of Medicine, Dr Keith Chiappa, is stepping down from the position and will continue at BHB as a Neurologist.
The Chief of Medicine is a key position for hospital care, with overall responsibility for all medical disciplines. In this role Dr Ashton will work closely with the Directors of each medical specialty, including Cardiology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Nephrology, Oncology and the Hospitalist programme.
As a member of the Medical Staff Committee he will work with the Chiefs of Surgery, Pediatrics, Radiology, Laboratory Services, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geriatrics/Rehabilitation/Palliative Medicine, Family Medicine and Dentistry to set medical policy and advise the Chief of Staff and BHB Board of Directors. Dr. Ashton will also continue as an infectious diseases specialist and Hospital Epidemiologist.
Dr Ashton joined BHB in November 2011 as an Infectious Diseases specialist and Hospital Epidemiologist. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. Bermudian born, Dr. Ashton completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Pre Med and Psychology at McGill University in Quebec, Canada and attended Medical School at the University of Vermont. After completing his training in Internal Medicine and Primary Care as an Intern and Resident at Yale New Haven Hospital in CT, USA, Dr Ashton completed a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology at Yale.
Chief of Staff, Dr Michael Weitekamp, comments: “I am very pleased to appoint Dr Ashton as Chief of Medicine. This is a senior physician position with multiple reports, requiring medical expertise and management skills. Dr Ashton’s extensive experience as a physician and over four years’ experience at BHB should position him well to work with his Directors in developing medical services at BHB.
“I would like to thank Dr Chiappa who has been our Chief of Medicine and Neurologist for eight years, during which time he has helped establish a strengthened, 24 hour hospitalist service, and a stronger cancer service with two on-island oncologists. We are very glad Dr Chiappa is remaining at BHB. His experience and expertise will continue to be a benefit to both patients and physicians as the hospital works towards its vision of ‘Exceptional Care. Strong Partnerships. Healthy Community’.”
Dr Weitekamp concludes: “We also have a number of other new appointees to other Chief positions. These Chiefs essentially oversee groups of specialist doctors who are mostly private practitioners. I would like to thank all of those who are stepping down and all those who have agreed to take on the roles. These positions include significant management activities, in addition to their private practice work, but are critical in developing strong relations between the hospital and the physicians, and advancing the services in line with best international practices.”
Chief of Family Practice & General Medicine
- Dr. Nicola Terceira is taking over from Dr Fiona Ross
Chief of Pediatrics
- Dr. Sylvanus Nawab has taken on the role following the retirement of Dr Eugene Outerbridge
Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Dr. Terrylyne Emery will take on the role, which was previously covered by rotating obstetricians/gynaecologists
Director of Nephrology
- Dr. Wendy Outerbridge is taking over from Dr Lynette Thomas
