The Tribune

THE Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) has announced the appointment of Dr Nelson A Clarke to the post of medical advisor.

In his new role, Dr Clarke will act as principal advisor to the PHA’s managing director, Herbert Brown, on health, medical and environmental matters. Previously, Dr Clarke held the post of medical chief of staff at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. His appointment as medical advisor took effect on July 1.

Hailed as one of the country’s leading psychiatrists, Dr Clarke has more than 30 years of practice as a physician. In addition to his administrative role at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, he is an associate lecturer in psychiatry and clinical tutor with the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Bahamas; teaching undergraduate and post graduate psychiatry. He is the current coordinator of the UWI Doctor of Medicine Psychiatry Residents Training Programme in the Bahamas. Dr Clarke has served as a member of the National Insurance Board’s Medical Review Tribunal, and the Medical Appeal Board. He has also chaired the PHA-UWI Ethics Committee since 2008.

As medical advisor, Dr Clarke succeeds Dr Glen Beneby, who was recently appointed as the Chief Medical Officer of the Bahamas in the Ministry of Health.

Dr Clarke has published scientific articles on substance abuse and mental health issues. He is currently serving as a member of the CARICOM’s Drug Demand Reduction Technical Advisory Body. He maintains a private psychiatric practice located at Doctors Hospital.

He is married Deborah Clarke and has one son, Neil.