Leadership & Partners
Driving the Future of Healthcare on Staniel Cay
Our community members have shown exceptional leadership in revitalizing St. Luke’s Clinic, making significant strides in improving its facilities and services. This effort is driven by a Local Steering Committee composed of dedicated Staniel Cay businesspeople, contractors, builders, electricians, local government representatives, ministers, retired lawyers, and other community members. Committed to transparency and accountability, we aim to complete this critical initiative and beyond. Now, we're excited to collaborate with esteemed partners who share our vision, driving our continued success. Learn more about our partnerships below.
History
Established in the early 1960s, St. Luke’s Clinic on Staniel Cay is one of the oldest Family Island Clinics in the Bahamas. Staniel Cay was the first community in the Bahamas (along with Long Island) to build its own medical clinic, with the local community owning both the clinic and the land it sits on. Before the clinic's establishment, there were no professional healthcare services available on the island.
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Donna Chamberlain, a nurse and wife of one of the original founders of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, arrived on Staniel Cay in the late 1950s. Recognizing the vital need for healthcare, she began advocating and planning for the clinic. With the community's support and local men contributing labor and expertise, a new building was completed around 1961. It was staffed by Donna, visiting nurses, and doctors, including Dr. Saunders, an early expat homeowner who provided essential knowledge and supplies.
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In recent years, due to a lack of maintenance, the clinic declined in both physical condition and capacity to deliver healthcare. By 2022, the situation was dire, leading to calls for its closure. However, closing the clinic would have left the island without any healthcare, making it necessary for residents to travel to other islands for basic or emergency care.
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Recognizing the urgency, a group of community members came together in late 2022 to address the clinic's most pressing needs. They installed a new roof on the East Wing and improved the interior with new LED lighting, flooring, a pharmacy section, desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and fresh paint. These efforts, completed in 2023, were accomplished with privately donated materials and a mix of volunteer and paid labor.
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The clinic now has two examination rooms, a pharmacy, and a waiting area, making it semi-operational. However, further advancements are needed to transform it into a fully functional medical center. The community aims to raise funds to complete the East Wing, renovate the West Wing, and add upstairs apartments for healthcare professionals.
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The proposed “Public/Private Partnership” seeks to combine community efforts and government support. The Bahamian Ministry of Health will provide medicines, supplies, staff, utilities, and housing for nurses. Join us in supporting St. Luke’s Clinic to ensure it continues to serve our community and visitors with the high-quality care they deserve.
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Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality healthcare for both residents and visitors of Staniel Cay.
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Through community and government collaboration, we aim to transform St. Luke's Clinic into a fully operational medical center, ensuring exceptional care for all.
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Community
Staniel Cay is a small, tight-knit community, approximately two square miles, with most native residents descending from five original families. This culture of friendliness and warmth has endured over the decades, drawing visitors year after year to enjoy Staniel Cay's unique hospitality. Many visitors have become seasonal residents with second homes, becoming an important part of our community.
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The community of Staniel Cay has a unique history of resourcefulness and a strong ability to “fend for ourselves.” The existing clinic is a prime example of local initiative: Staniel Cay was one of the first communities in the Bahamas, alongside Long Island, to create its own medical clinic. We now aim to elevate the clinic to an even higher standard of medical access and services, becoming a beacon of success.
The community is actively involved in this building initiative through:
- Well-attended meetings and interest,
- Donations of funds,
- Donations of time and labor,
- Donations of meals for laborers,
- Other in-kind donations,
- An overall commitment to dramatically improve the clinic and medical services on Staniel Cay.
