Four new members have joined The UWI COVID-19 Task Force, bringing expertise to address the clinical aspects of the virus. They are Professor Terence Seemungal, Pulmonologist and Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI St Augustine Campus; Dr Carl A. R. Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Dr Anna K. Perkins, Senior Programme Officer, Quality Assurance Unit at The UWI whose expertise is in ethics. Newly elected Guild President at The UWI Five Islands Campus, Mr Caleb Gardiner, has also been added to the diverse response team to represent the youth and student voice.
PIC B: Dr Carl A. R. Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
PIC C: Newly elected Guild President at The UWI Five Islands Campus, Mr Caleb Gardiner.
PIC D: Terence Seemungal, Pulmonologist and Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI St Augustine Campus.
Altogether, they comprise a regional team of 19 persons, mobilised since February by The UWI to leverage the University’s knowledge and expertise to assist the Caribbean in its readiness and response to the virus outbreak. The Task Force is committed to providing clear and accurate information, sharing its research with stakeholders across the region. The members’ expertise span areas such as virology, epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics, critical care, respiratory medicine, pulmonology, health leadership, emergency medicine, veterinary medicine, mental health, public health, clinical psychology and counselling, tourism, trade, international relations, public education, youth advocacy, ethics, and communication, among other areas.
A trusted, reliable, single source of information, the Task Force website, www.uwi.edu/covid19 provides a helpful repository of shared resources from a range of partner agencies and regular updates, all relevant to the Caribbean’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic amid a wave of misinformation and speculation.
The complete list of members of the UWI COVID-19 Task Force and their specialisations are as follows:
Professor Clive Landis, Chairman, Cardiovascular Research
Dr Harold Watson, Emergency Medicine
Dr Carl A. R. Bruce, Neurosurgery and Health Leadership
Professor Terence Seemungal, Pulmonology
Dr Joshua Anzinger, Virology
Professor Christine Carrington, Molecular Genetics and Virology
Professor Christopher Oura, Veterinary Virology
Professor Julie Meeks, Health Research
Professor Wendel Abel, Mental Health/Public Health
Professor Donna-Maria Maynard, Clinical Counselling & Psychology
Dr Katija Khan, Clinical Psychology
Mrs Ceceile Minott, Counselling/Child Development/Social Development
Dr Anna K. Perkins, Ethics
Dr Don Marshall, International Relations & Economics
Dr Michelle McLeod, Hotel & Tourism Management
Mr Caleb Gardiner, Youth Advocacy
Dr Veronica Simon, Continuing Education & Public Outreach
Ms Janet Caroo, Broadcast & Public Outreach
Dr Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro, Marketing & Communications