Our
Mission
To advance the training of health professionals in the Caribbean and beyond through innovative, technology-driven, and community-focused education, grounded in collaborative, evidence-based research.
Our
VIsion
An internationally recognized Caribbean institution of excellence with global reach and impact.
Our Story
Hamilton University School of Medicine (HUSM) was born from a bold vision: to transform healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the wider Caribbean, and globally by developing a strong, sustainable pipeline of highly trained, community-rooted medical professionals.
HUSM is an initiative of the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF)—a for profit organization founded by a family of distinguished Caribbean healthcare leaders, Dr. Rufus Ewing, Dr. Dawn Perry, and Dr. Stuart Ewing. These founders bring decades of experience in clinical practice, public health, education, and healthcare policy. Together, they share a unified commitment to advancing healthcare quality, education, and access in the region.
The university is named in honor of Hamilton Ewing, grandfather of founder Dr. Rufus Ewing. A man of wisdom, curiosity, and service, Hamilton Ewing embodied the values of learning, healthcare advancement, and excellence—principles that now define the mission of HUSM.
A Mission Grounded in Local Impact and Global Vision
TCI, like many small island developing states, faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals and relies heavily on transient foreign workers. Recognizing these challenges, the founders of HUSM sought to build a solution that would train physicians within the Caribbean context—equipping them to meet local health needs and remain embedded within the communities they serve.
The global shortage of healthcare workers, projected by the World Health Organization to exceed 11 million by 2030, underscores the urgency of HUSM’s mission. By building local capacity and reducing dependency on external health professionals, HUSM aims to close equity gaps and ensure consistent, high-quality care in TCI and globally.
Building a Healthier Future—Together
Hamilton University School of Medicine is more than an academic institution; it is a movement toward health justice, community empowerment, and Caribbean excellence. By educating physicians who are skilled, compassionate, and deeply connected to the region, HUSM is shaping the future of healthcare—locally and globally.
We are transforming local communities and impacting the world!
Leadership
Our leadership team brings together experienced medical educators, researchers, and healthcare administrators committed to our mission of excellence:
Dr. Rufus Ewing, MBBS, FRCSEd, DM, FACS, MPH
Founder & Executive Chairman, Hamilton Education Foundation
Project Lead, Hamilton University School of Medicine
Dr. Rufus Ewing is a distinguished Consultant General Surgeon, Public Health Practitioner, and former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with over two decades of leadership in healthcare and public service.
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As Founder and Executive Chairman of the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF), Dr. Ewing leads the strategic development of the Hamilton University School of Medicine (HUSM), a transformative initiative to expand medical education and strengthen health systems in the Caribbean.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Ewing has served in key national roles, including Chief Medical Officer and Minister of Health and Human Services. His legacy includes advancing surgical services, shaping national health policy, and building private sector health infrastructure through Medinco Group Ltd.
Regionally, Dr. Ewing has contributed to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) as an Advisor for Health Systems and Services and Country Program Advisor for the Caribbean and continues to support sustainable health initiatives across the Caribbean. His enduring commitment to education and community development guides his leadership of HUSM—positioning it as a catalyst for healthcare excellence and equity in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.
Dr. Dawn Perry, MBBS, DM, FACOG, MPH
Founder, Hamilton Education Foundation Lead, Accreditation & Academic Governance, Hamilton University School of Medicine
Dr. Dawn Perry is a respected Consultant Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Public Health Practitioner with over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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As a Founder of the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF), she plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction and institutional quality of the Hamilton University School of Medicine (HUSM), serving as the Lead for Accreditation and Academic Governance.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Perry has served in several senior health leadership roles, including Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director of Clinical Services in the Ministry of Health. As Chief of Medical Services at TCI Hospitals, she led the institution to achieve four consecutive diamond-level accreditations from Accreditation Canada.
Dr. Perry has also made significant contributions to medical education, including helping secure accreditation from the University of the West Indies for the training of medical interns. She currently leads Omnicare Medical under Medinco Group, managing a network of specialist health centers that provide high-quality care across TCI.
Her commitment to academic excellence, accreditation integrity, and system-wide quality improvement underpins her leadership at HUSM—ensuring that the university meets the highest standards in medical education for the Caribbean and beyond.
Prof. Dan Ramdath
Advisor Curriculum and Academic Program Development
Leading our research initiatives, Dr. Fernandez fosters collaboration between faculty and students to address pressing healthcare challenges.
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Dr. Sarah Richardson
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
With over 25 years of experience in medical education leadership at institutions across North America and the Caribbean, Dr. Richardson guides our academic vision.
Dr. Marcus Johnson
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Dedicated to student success and wellbeing, Dr. Johnson oversees support services and ensures an optimal learning environment.
Dr. Elena Fernandez
Director of Research and Innovation
Leading our research initiatives, Dr. Fernandez fosters collaboration between faculty and students to address pressing healthcare challenges.
Advisory Board
To guide the strategic development of the Hamilton University School of Medicine, the Hamilton University Medical Center, and the Hamilton University Research Institute, the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF) Board of Directors has appointed a distinguished Advisory Board.
Comprising reputable experts in their respective fields, the Advisors are drawn from both the internal development team and leading partner institutions. They provide specialized knowledge and strategic insight to ensure that the university and its affiliated entities are established with excellence, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
The Advisory Board supports a wide range of key areas, including but not limited to:
- Corporate Governance and Finance
- Legal Affairs, Partnerships, and International Affairs
- Academic Programs and Governance
- Administration and Student and Faculty Affairs
- Curriculum Development
- Quality Assurance and Accreditation
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement
- Medical Services Development and Clinical Governance
- Research and Innovation
These focus areas reflect the breadth of expertise required to build a world-class institution committed to advancing healthcare education, clinical excellence, and research innovation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean.
Academic Philosophy
At HUSM, our curriculum is built on the ACTIVE Guiding Principles—a transformative model that aligns academic excellence with social responsibility and healthcare innovation. ACTIVE stands for:
Accountable socially, Competency-based, Transforming systems, Integrating disciplines, Value-based, and grounded in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Evidence-driven practice.
These principles shape a dynamic, community-informed medical education that prepares students not just to practice medicine—but to lead, innovate, and advocate for better health outcomes.
Accountable Socially
Our programs respond to the real health needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the broader Caribbean through community partnerships, service learning, and public health engagement.
Competency-Based
Our curriculum aligns with global standards, ensuring graduates master clinical skills, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Transforming Systems
We train future physicians to be changemakers—skilled in health policy, systems-based practice, and technology integration to improve population health.
Integrating Disciplines
A multidisciplinary, team-based approach equips students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and provide holistic care.
Value-Based
Our students learn to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care centered on outcomes and patient well-being.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Evidence-Driven
We foster a learning environment that is inclusive, just, and continually evolving—preparing culturally competent, evidence-informed physicians for an increasingly diverse and complex world.
We foster a learning environment that is inclusive, just, and continually evolving—preparing culturally competent, evidence-informed physicians for an increasingly diverse and complex world.
Our Campus
The Hamilton University campus at Grace Bay combines state-of-the-art learning facilities with the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands:
- Digital Anatomy Laboratory supported by VR and AR and plastinated specimen.
- Advanced Simulation Center featuring high-fidelity mannequins and virtual reality training environments
- Modern Research Laboratories equipped for biomedical and clinical research
- Collaborative Learning Spaces designed to foster teamwork and innovation
- Digital Library providing access to comprehensive medical databases and resources
- Student Wellness Center supporting the physical and mental health of our community
Accreditation and Recognition
Hamilton University School of Medicine is committed to maintaining the
highest standards of medical education.
We have embarked on our licensing and accreditation journey with the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Advisory Board (HEAB) and the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). We have obtained a provisional license from HEAB and are actively progressing toward accreditation candidacy with CAAM-HP.
Our goal is to achieve initial provisional accreditation prior to the admission of our first medical class, and full accreditation before the graduation of our first cohort of students.
We are:
- In the accreditation process with relevant medical education authorities
- Recognized by the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health
- Developing partnerships with teaching hospitals across the Caribbean, United States, and Canada
Community Engagement
Our community engagement initiatives include:
- Health Screening Programs providing preventive care to underserved communities
- Public Health Education addressing regional health priorities
- Disaster Preparedness Training preparing healthcare workers for emergency response
- School Health Programs promoting wellness among children and adolescents
Children and adolescent literacy programs empowering children to attain their full potential
Our Values
Our community engagement initiatives include:
- Excellence – Pursuing the highest standards in all our endeavors
- Innovation – Embracing new approaches to medical education and healthcare delivery
- Integrity – Maintaining ethical standards in all academic and clinical activities
- Diversity – Celebrating and learning from different perspectives and backgrounds
- Service – Committing to improve health outcomes in our communities
