Bernadette Hamilton Saunders

Since 1971, I entered the Nursing Profession have excelled in my career as I have completed Registered Nursing, Midwifery, Community Health Nursing, Advanced Nursing Administration, and Masters in Public health. I am presently completing a PhD. in Public Health and have extensive experiences in HIV/AIDS Management and Training. I have worked on and coordinated health care in many family islands including Andros, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco, Crooked Island, Long Island and Exuma. I am presently the Nurse in Charge/Nursing Administrator for South Beach Health Centre and in my spare time coordinate and facilitatetraining consultancies for international agencies such as PAHO, DFID, and DRI locally, regionally and internationally. Recently deployed to National Health Insurance as Training Coordinator. Completed PhD Public Health, Epidemiology and Community Health

My favorite high school memories:
I was the only girl in Maths Class during our final year, which was the GCE Maths Class. Yes the fellas, Peter Gilcud, Hubert Minnis and Luther McDonald looked out for me and provided support. Cudos fellas I appreciate your support.

I also have fond mempries of Harry Cooper with those few freckles to his face, always smilling, joking, taking Donnette, Linda, Patricia and I downtown in his fathers car, would you believe it, during class time. Yes of course during a free period. Yes Harry this was scarry, daring and fun. Rest in peace Harry you were a Gem.

Donnette Davis and I were close friends as we had a lot in common such as comming from large families of 12 with strong Cathollic backgrounds and strict parents. This paid off well as we can now appreciate them for this solid upbringing.

Mr. Carter and Mr. Williams were my favorite teachers. Oh how I enjoyed those cooking contest that we had in the auditorium with Mr. Williams. My pease and rice won 1st prize for main course and Jane Simmons pineapple upside down cake won 1st prize for desserts.

The dances held in the auditorium at the end of the school term and on other special occassions were a scream when the teachers were present and really supervising us using their long rulers to keep us apart or touching each other when we danced to slow songs.

Being a member of the Library was fun too as the day always ended with a trip to the ice-cream palor with Ms. Cowpergreen for icecream and cake treats.

My Dad and Brother Henry were the greatest cook and baker and we had no need to worry about tea break snacks and lunch which was always available, accessible and affordable long before we had a cafeteria. Nearly everyone on campus bought lunch, cookies, cupcakes and icecream. Guess where we ate lunch??? Sitting in small groups on the lawn which made up the school tract. We had our clicks and lunch-time felt like it lasted longer than an hour.

My two sons are graduates of SAC, I know they can recall as much fond memories as I can and more because this is what SAC is all about.