The Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) hosted its 2nd Biennial International Nursing and Midwifery Research Symposium on Thursday, 9 April 2026, at Sir Vassel Johnson Hall, UCCI.
Held under the theme "Advancing Quality & Resilience in Nursing and Midwifery: Addressing Mental Health and Modern Healthcare Challenges,"
the full-day event marked a significant milestone for nursing scholarship in the Cayman Islands. First held in 2024, the Symposium has established itself as a key forum for advancing evidence-based practice regionally, reflecting the growing importance of home-grown research in addressing the Cayman Islands' healthcare workforce needs.
As the territory faces the global challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified nursing professionals, the event underscored the critical role of local capacity building and workforce development. With nine cohorts now graduated from the Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing and six achieving a 100 per cent first-time registration pass rate, UCCI's contribution to strengthening the islands' nursing pipeline continues to grow.
The Symposium is supported by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability and the Ministry of Education and Training. The Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, and the Hon. Rolston Anglin, Minister for Finance and Economic Development & Education and Training, both addressed over 150 delegates at the opening ceremony, underscoring the government's commitment to nursing education and workforce resilience.
The event featured keynote speaker Ms Sandra McLean, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Baptist Health West Kendall Baptist Hospital, alongside a distinguished line-up of international presenters. Scientific sessions spanned three thematic areas: mental health, wellbeing and psychosocial resilience; digital innovation and technology in healthcare; and quality improvement and collaboration models in healthcare practice – covering topics from artificial intelligence impacts on anxiety, to virtual reality simulation as an educational tool, and collaborative diabetes management.
The Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said: "It is essential that we prioritise the mental health and well-being of our providers - their ability to care for themselves directly impacts their capacity to deliver high-quality care to our community. The Symposium's focus on mental health and modern healthcare challenges is timely and aligns closely with our Government's national objectives to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve patient outcomes and support a resilient, well-equipped workforce."
Mrs Quida Johnson-Shirley, Programme Director of the Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing, and one of the authors of a pilot study “The Acceptability and Accuracy of Virtual Reality Simulation as an educational tool among Fourth Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students in the Cayman Islands”, said: "The Nursing Symposium calls us to reflect on the evolving demands of healthcare, and the vital role nursing and midwifery professionals play in strengthening systems through innovation, resilience and compassion. Together, we are advancing the quality of nursing and shaping the future of healthcare in the Cayman Islands."
Ms Nanalie Cover, Acting President and CEO of UCCI, noted that the Symposium represents a vital forum for scholarly engagement and the exchange of innovative, evidence-based practices. "The Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing continues to position UCCI as a hub for research and academic excellence, and a catalyst for meaningful contributions to healthcare practice and policy," she said.
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