The Council's History

The Bahamas Medical Council was established under the Medical Act, which was passed by the Houses of Parliament, Government of the Bahamas, in March 1974.  The Medical Act came into effect 3rd February 1975.  Prior to the Medical Act the profession was governed by the Medical Practitioner’s Act.

 The first meeting of the Medical Council was held in 1975 when the Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, was appointed Chairman.  Successive Chief Medical Officers of the Ministry of Health continued to serve as Chairman of the Council until 1993.  These were:

                                  Dr. Gilbert Davis   - 1975 to 1976

                                  Dr. L. J. Charles   - 1976 to 1978

                                  Dr. H. Forde        - 1978 to 1979

                                  Dr. Vernell Allen  - 1980 to 1993

In 1993 Dr. Ada Thompson was appointed Chairman of the Medical Council, with the Chief Medical Officer continuing as a member (ex officio) as prescribed by the Act. The successive Chairmen were as follows:

           Dr. Adrian Sawyer - 1997 to 1999

           Dr. Baldwin Carey - 2000 to 2006

           Dr. Glen Beneby   - 2007 to May 2007

           Dr. Duane Sands   - June 2007 to present                   

The first Registrar to the Council was Mr. Joseph Strachan, who was then Registrar to the Supreme Court.  He was succeeded in 1980 by Dr. Henry Podlewski, retired Chief Psychiatrist, Ministry of Health, who served as Registrar until 1998.  Dr. Podlewski was succeeded by Dr. Vernell Allen, retired Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, the current Registrar. 

As prescribed by the Medical Act the Council consists of seven members, of whom one is the Chief Medial Officer ex officio;

-     two of whom at least one shall be a fully licensed medical practitioner) shall be appointed by the Minister acting in his discretion;

(a)   two shall be appointed by the Minister acting in accordance with the advice of the Association; and

(b)   two shall be appointed by the Minister acting with the concurrence of the Association” 

The Bahamas Medical Council initially functioned from the office of the Chief Medical Officer until 1991.  The office was then relocated in the Ministry of Health Complex, Royal Victoria Gardens.  Subsequently new offices were acquired at #20 Parliament Street in 2000 with transfer in 2003 to the present location, Delancy Street, at the rear of the Ministry of Health Headquarters.

  -     two of whom at least one shall be a fully licensed medical practitioner) shall be appointed by the Minister acting in his discretion;

(a)   two shall be appointed by the Minister acting in accordance with the advice of the Association; and

(b)   two shall be appointed by the Minister acting with the concurrence of the Association” 

The Bahamas Medical Council initially functioned from the office of the Chief Medical Officer until 1991.  The office was then relocated in the Ministry of Health Complex, Royal Victoria Gardens.  Subsequently new offices were acquired at #20 Parliament Street in 2000 with transfer in 2003 to the present location, Delancy Street, at the rear of the Ministry of Health Headquarters.