Hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested in large-scale hotel overhauls, new office buildings, newbuild homes and renovations.

While there is a broad variety of project types producing work for contractors, construction is not in “boom” territory relative to recent history, according to Alex DeCouto, managing director of Greymane Construction.

“I don’t think you can single any category out – there is a healthy amount of investment in property happening, but certainly nothing approaching 2008 levels of employment and projects,” he said. “This is the level of investment that the industry needs on an ongoing basis.”

Indeed, government employment statistics show there were 2,163 full-time jobs in construction in 2025 — about 1,500 fewer than in the employment peak of 2008.

However, firms whose expertise can gain them a share of hospitality, commercial and residential work are thriving in today’s construction environment.

Commercial Glass & Aluminum Co, for example, is working on a range of residential upgrades and window replacements, while also working on the redevelopment of Grotto Bay Beach Resort. It will also install 581 showers as part of the Fairmont Southampton overhaul and is the provider and installer of glass for the new Luscar Place office building, going up in west Hamilton.

Steve Barber, managing director of Commercial Glass, who took over the business in 2015, said working on major projects helps to build a company’s reputation and leads to more opportunities.

“With every year, business has got a bit better,” he said. “You get too big, too quick and you get in trouble. I’m still being cautious, but I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction.”

Hospitality projects

The Fairmont Southampton is a massive construction project, a $550 million overhaul by owner Westend Properties, a subsidiary of Gencom. Reopening of the 593-room hotel is scheduled for August.

By early January this year, work was picking up pace. Westend said roofing was complete in the north wing and work had begun on the resort’s west wing and ballroom roofs, while a complete renovation of the guest rooms was under way. Work was also ongoing at the resort’s Ocean Club and Beach Club, where a new resort-style pool was being installed.

Last August, the company said more than 150 Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians and permanent resident’s certificate holders had been involved in the redevelopment project. And the work looks set to continue, given the 2023 government approved of a special development order to build up to 250 units on the property.

At the Grotto Bay Beach Resort, ongoing development includes the construction of two three-story buildings comprising an 53 additional guest rooms, and additionally a new sewage plant. This follows expansions to the Castle Harbour property’s dining rooms.

Looming ahead is a major redevelopment at Elbow Beach, where The Loren Group plans to demolish the main building of the Paget resort, place a 75-key building on the current site of tennis courts and erect a combination of 27 estate homes and cottage-style accommodations.

Stephen King, the co-owner of The Loren Group, hopes work will be completed in late 2028 so the hotel is ready for the 2029 season.

There are also plans for a new hotel in Hamilton, to be called Sankofa House. Ay Ay Holdings Bermuda Ltd has received support, on appeal, from the Department of Planning for its proposal to redevelop the vacant Victoria Hall, in Hamilton, into a nine-storey, 94-room property.

And in Warwick, plans to convert the former Riddell’s Bay Golf Club clubhouse into a brewery and restaurant were approved by the Development Applications Board in April last year.

Commercial property

Perhaps the most visible construction site in Bermuda is Brookfield Place, at 91 Front Street, a nine-storey office and retail development, scheduled to be completed this year.

A short walk away, at 69 Pitts Bay Road, just east of the Bacardi Building, is Luscar Place, a seven-storey building that will provide 130,000 sq ft of prime office space.

The Green family, who have already left their mark on west Hamilton with their transformations of the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, Waterloo House and Point House, are the investors behind Luscar Place.

The new complex, which will be solar-powered and will also comprise two ground-floor retail units, is scheduled for completion in July 2027.

A more unusual commercial building project for Bermuda is the Google transatlantic cable landing station on a 5.9-acre site at Burrows Hill, St David’s.

The plan comprises a 35,000 sq ft single-storey building, along with a small guardhouse and parking for 14 cars and 12 motorcycles, as well as a mechanical yard housing six generators. Google also plans an 8ft security fence.

A planning report filed with the Development Applications Board said the work would involve “significant and extensive cutting and filling” to create a level area on the property, with rock cuts as high as 30ft.

Residential

Government capital spending has the potential to play a significant role in the pipeline of future construction work.

As Mr DeCouto observed: “We will be watching closely what Government does in the housing space and with Corporate Income Tax funds specifically, as housing minister Zane DeSilva has been making lots of noise about projects in the pipeline.

“I’m hoping he can pull some things off, because most of our middle- and lower-income citizens need help with housing.”

Mr DeSilva has spelled out his hopes to roll out up to 1,500 affordable units over the next decade. High on his list of potential development sites are Victoria Row and Albert Row in Sandys; a vacant lot near Dr Cann Park in Southampton; Tommy Fox Road in St David’s; 13 Ewing Street in Hamilton; and Harbour View Village, in St David’s. All these sites are managed by the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the Bermuda Land Management Company.

The ministry is looking at prefabricated and modular construction techniques to deliver homes as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. With more than 350 households on the BHC waitlist as of the end of 2025, social need may be a strong driver of residential construction investment.

The post Projects in the pipeline appeared first on RG Magazines.

Tragically, the head of the island’s oldest construction supply company died in December, but his daughters Alexis and Emily Biermann have a plan to celebrate their one-of-a-kind father and the 80th anniversary of the family business that day.

Alexis, 38, the eldest of the two, explained that the company was incorporated on Boxing Day 1946, but their dad’s birthday felt like a more fitting date for a party.

“We’re very honoured to get to be part of a really massive legacy on the island,” she said.

“We’re the third generation of Biermanns who are involved in the company now.

“We’re really, really excited to see where we’re going in the future.”

She added: “Our dad was a very interesting and wonderful guy, but he was also very old school.

‘He had a way of doing things and Emily and I come from a very different background and a very different world.”

Emily, 36, who recently took over as CEO of Bierman Concrete Products, said the anniversary celebration was still at the ideas stage.

“We’re brainstorming with a marketing agency. Nothing is fixed at this point, but I think as soon as we have a more clear idea, we’ll definitely make a big deal of it.”

Family affair

Neither sister planned to join the family firm, which was launched by their grandparents Herbert and Stella, as construction on the island ramped up after the Second World War, and then run for many decades by Mike.

The firm, which mined its own aggregate for many years, was the “central tent peg of the whole family structure” during their childhood, according to Alexis.

She recalled “fond memories” of sledding down the “ag pile” at its headquarters on Lolly’s Well Road, Smith’s.

Both women — who, like their mother Gale, use the traditional German spelling of Biermann — moved to North America, where they forged lives and careers, but they remained close with their parents.

When Mike became ill with cancer, they pitched in to help and it soon became clear that they did not want to let go of everything their formidable dad had built.

Emily said: “My husband and I made the tough decision to move back to the island [from New Hampshire] and really dive just headfirst into the day-to-day operations of the company.”

Her husband, Bermudian Dylan Robinson, is now facilities manager at Bierman’s and Alexis, who lives in Canada, is a director of the company.

Alexis said: “The real act of passing the torch has been within the last year or so as dad got sicker.

“We have felt really happy to be able to come on board and help with that.”

She stressed how pleased she was to see her younger sibling take over the reins of Bierman’s, while she will retain “more of a high-level involvement” from overseas.

“A lot going forward is going to be Emily’s vision and I couldn’t have more faith and excitement to see how things unfold if I tried,” said Alexis.

Bouncing back

Emily explained how Bierman’s, a major supplier of concrete block, “used to be an absolute bull in this industry, but within the last couple of decades, it’s sort of slowed down a lot”.

That is set to change, according to the sisters.

“We are in the middle of growing our workforce again and growing our fleet again,” explained Emily.

“Right now, we only have two trucks, but we have a third one coming … Bierman’s itself only employs four people, with a fifth starting in February.”

The firm also works closely with a company called Precision, run by Frank Fagundo, which supplies a lot of its labour force.

Alexis said: “We’re very much in a growth mindset right now. There’s going to be a lot of upgrades, a lot of new equipment, a lot of new faces.”

One idea is to build precast concrete housing to assist with the lack of affordable homes on the island.

Emily said: “You essentially have the precast frames that you fill with poured concrete, versus the traditional [concrete] block and rebar and mortar.

“It is a tad bit less individualised, but I’ve seen some really cool technology of how you can slot the modular pieces together and build a structure that’s all your own.”

She added: “Dad had a couple of examples, one specifically right next to the company, of precast concrete housing, so I would love to revitalise that again and see if that would be an option to get Bermudians to be first time home buyers or builders.

“I would really like Bierman’s to have a legacy in helping alleviate those challenges for not only Bermudians, but young Bermudians.”

Another hope is to get the company’s quarry permit reinstated.

“We’ve quarried our own limestone aggregate for the majority of the life span of Bierman’s being open and operating, but it’s only really been in the last decade and a bit that we’ve not been able to do that,” said Emily.

She said “there been an eternal struggle up here on the Smith’s property” about what the company should be allowed to do, but they planned to approach the issue in a gentler way than their dad.

Alexis added that with hefty construction costs in Bermuda, the plan could benefit the wider community, as the company could pass along savings to customers from quarrying its own aggregate.

Alexis said 2025 was “hell” for the family, due to their father’s illness and death, but taking on his business had been healing.

“It gives me a lot of peace and a lot of joy to be able to know that we, as a family, we really came together, we really rallied, and we were able to give dad the peace of mind to know that we got this,” she said.

“[We showed him] you have done all the work you were meant to do in this lifetime and you can rest in peace, truly.”

The post Rock solid legacy appeared first on RG Magazines.

The Bermuda Construction Safety Council, which was formed in 2018 in connection with the construction project at Morgan’s Point, offers training and awards in 50 trade categories.

It’s run entirely by volunteers and there is no membership fee – meaning cost is not a barrier to improving safety standards and networking opportunities within Bermuda’s construction industry.

Brendon Harris, the Council’s safety coordinator, said: “Our primary objective is to prevent all job-related injuries by providing and maintaining the safest possible working conditions for all our employees and subcontractors.

“We recognise that our most important asset is our people and that production, quality and cost efficiencies can be achieved through the daily application of standardised safety management systems and processes.”

Bermuda’s construction industry operates under workplace health and safety standards laid out in the Bermuda Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982 and the Bermuda Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009.

The Act specifies that it is the duty of every employer “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees”.

It is the duty of employees to take reasonable care to protect safety and health of anyone affected by their actions or omissions at work.

Employees are required to cooperate with employers to follow the regulations. Workers also have the right to refuse work if they have reasonable cause to believe that conditions present an imminent and serious danger.

Benefits of investing in safety

Education in the construction industry is time and money well spent. The BCSC recommends viewing safety training as a long-term investment rather than a cost

Ongoing training remains one of the most effective pathways to safer jobsites and a stronger, more resilient construction sector for Bermuda.

According to the US National Safety Council, the economic cost of work-related deaths and injuries reached $167 billion in 2021 – underscoring the human and financial consequences of inadequate safety practices.

Mr Harris said: “The Bermuda legislation is relatively new, and we are working towards having standardised procedures on all jobsites.

“When you have standardised procedures such as morning briefings, daily stretches and continuing education, productivity increases and there also fewer work-related safety incidents.

“This benefits employers because fewer incidents means less time lost due to errors and work stoppages, which increases the likelihood that projects can complete on time and on budget.”
He noted that large projects involving international construction companies require all employees to have completed safety training before they are eligible to start work.

“When construction began on the new airport, for example, workers who had previously completed safety training were able to start working right away, but everyone else had to wait until they were able to complete the required courses before they were allowed on the jobsite,” he explained.

Strengthen safety through cross-training

Employees who work with heavy machinery depend on one another to remain safe. Because tasks are interconnected, everyone involved must share the same critical information and maintain constant communication.

Mr Harris said: “Moving large, heavy loads is a common occurrence on today’s jobsite. There are significant safety issues to be considered, both for crane operators and for any workers in proximity to them, because a crane operator never moves a pallet of concrete block alone.

“Each lift depends on continuous radio communication with people on the ground, whose clear, precise instructions are essential to manoeuvring the load safely and accurately, often into locations that are not visible from the crane cab.”

The people on the ground, known as bank workers, who have completed crane operator training become more effective communicators, and gain practical, hands-on insight into the operator’s responsibilities and decision-making.

This shared perspective enhances site-wide safety, reduces the potential for error, and can create a natural progression for bank workers to advance into crane operator roles.

Diversity and inclusion

Modern construction projects are increasingly diverse and inclusive, bringing together specialised workers from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

On many large job sites in Bermuda, the presence of non-native English speakers highlights the importance of clear, consistent communication practices and the use of standardised safety procedures.

The industry also employs far more women than is often assumed. Women now fill approximately 50 per cent of all office support roles, as well as a significant proportion of positions in architecture, surveying and engineering.

A safety culture that recognises and accommodates this diversity – through inclusive training, clear communication protocols and consistent expectations – strengthens shared accountability, reduces the likelihood of error, and helps ensure that safety is embedded in decision-making at every level of a project.

Mr Harris said: “Ultimately, keeping workers safe is not achieved through legislation alone, but through a shared commitment to learning, communication, and continuous improvement.

“I would encourage everyone involved in the industry to take full advantage of safety training whenever it is available – not just to meet employment requirements, but to build skills and confidence needed to recognize hazards, make better decisions on the job, and ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.”

The post Keeping Workers Safe appeared first on RG Magazines.

That’s a lot of mothers handling pregnancy, money worries and big life changes without a steady partner beside them. Early pregnancy can be an emotional roller coaster for anyone. Doing it alone can make that ride much harder.

Fiona Dill from It Takes a Village Foundation sees this reality up close. Her charity supports pregnant women through childbirth education, doula care and practical help like food, diapers and Belco vouchers and a soon-to-be-launched breast pump programme. While she often meets women later in pregnancy, the pressures often start much earlier.

“I think the hardest part is if the pregnancy was not planned,” Mrs Dill said. “Then they have to worry about if the dad is going to stick around and support them and the baby once it’s here.”

That uncertainty can sit heavily on a woman’s mind from the start.

Fear about money is another early stress. Bermuda’s cost of living is high, and pregnancy comes with extra expenses particularly if uninsured — quality food, maternity clothes and preparing for a baby all add up.

“The reality is that even when there are two working parents it can be hard,” Mrs Dill explained. “All they need is an additional cost in a month, like a health co-pay or going back to school expenses, and it can set them back.” 

For women without a reliable partner, the constant stress can affect both mother and baby for years to come. That is one reason the foundation’s work goes beyond birth classes.

“Our approach is concerned with the short and long-term emotional and physical health of our whole community,” Mrs Dill said.

“We value and work closely with Government’s Maternal Health Clinic and health visitors as we share these goals.

“There are other similar programmes run elsewhere in the world that are very similar. From these overseas programmes, we know that this support works and goes some way to support health equity and reduce disparities in terms of experience and maternal and infant outcomes.”

A support system’s journey 

Mrs Dill has run a childbirth education practice in Bermuda for 19 years. Six years ago, after attending one of her classes, a new mother, Erin Williams, came back with an idea.

“She said the classes had made such a difference to how she had regarded the birth process and such a difference to her experience of birth that she wanted every pregnant woman in Bermuda to have access to good evidence-based childbirth education regardless of their ability to pay,” Mrs Dill recalled.

When told there was no charity, the woman replied, “Well let’s create one.” Ms Williams became co-founder of It Takes a Village. 

Many people know the group for its Facebook page where items are shared, but Mrs Dill said: “That is only a small part of what we do”. At its heart, the work is about helping women feel less alone at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.

Combating fear with education 

Mrs Dill said teaching women, and their partners, if they are around, about the birth process and how to advocate for themselves is “so important”. When a woman understands what her body is doing, she often feels more in control, which can lead to a more positive birth experience.

That sense of control can be especially powerful for women with past trauma. Mrs Dill pointed to a painful statistic: “Here in Bermuda, one in four girls have had some form of sexual abuse encounter and that has huge implications for the birth space.” Pregnancy and birth involve intimate exams and physical vulnerability, which can trigger old memories.

“If you have always felt your body is dirty or that people didn’t believe you or listen to you, then to experience agency and having a new narrative around your body as you see what it can do, can be transforming,” she said. Education and the right support can help a woman feel respected and heard.
Beyond birth classes

Food support is another key piece.

“We know that what we eat when pregnant can make a big difference to our health and that of the baby,” Mrs Dill said. But healthy food costs money, and not every family has enough. The foundation’s voucher programme aims to ease that strain. 

One of the most personal forms of support the charity offers is community doula care. A doula is not a medical professional but a trained support person who stays with a woman through labour and into the early days after birth and beyond into early parenting to facilitate breastfeeding and post-partum recovery. This can be key to those that don’t have partner or family support.

“There is so much research that shows childbirth education and doula support decrease unnecessary interventions, increase breastfeeding rates and decrease post-partum depression,” Mrs Dill said.

The foundation also runs a diaper programme through government health clinics. Even that basic item can be a struggle. If a mom doesn’t have enough diapers, she may have to keep her baby in a dirty diaper for longer, which increases the risk of rashes.

Despite the challenges, she points to the strength she sees in mothers.

“Many single-parent families are headed by women and in my experience strong, resilient women who love their kids and do everything they can to give them what they need,” she explained. 

Early support can have lasting effects. It’s also helpful for women just knowing that ‘the village’ cares. “Even if a mom doesn’t have the birth experience they were hoping for, what we know is that if someone feels safe, listened to and respected then it can still be a positive experience,” she said. 

She believes more needs to happen at a community and policy level. Childcare is a major issue. “Happy Valley Daycare is government run and brilliant, but so oversubscribed,” she said. “Another facility like that would be amazing.”

The post Emotional strength in pregnancy appeared first on RG Magazines.

Five years ago, the BCHC – in tandem with the Bermuda Hospitals Board – launched an integrated breast cancer care pathway of education, detection, diagnostics, treatment and recovery that is designed to improve efficiencies and the quality of care.

The BCHC’s goal for all patients is to reduce the time between abnormal imaging or biopsy, confirmed diagnosis, and initiation of treatment, to improve both the patient experience and the clinical outcome.

All BCHC breast cancer cases are presented to a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) that includes surgeons, clinical and medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and a dedicated cancer navigator, to ensure each patient benefits from collective clinical expertise across the island.

The MDT’s functions include:

• Case discussions. The team reviews all newly referred patients, including diagnostics (biopsies, scans), to determine the best treatment plan
• Evidence-based care. The MDT uses national guidelines to guide decisions, reducing variation in practice
• Clinical trials. The team discusses suitability for clinical trials
• Patient-centred approach. Although patients usually do not attend the meeting, their preferences and needs are represented by the nurses and doctors in the meeting
• Communication. After the meeting, the treatment plan is communicated to the patient via their oncologist or general practitioner.

The BCHC said the integrated pathway has resulted in patients being better informed about what should be happening next, how long it should take, and who they should be talking to.

The development of the pathway formed part of the BHB’s integration programme and was led by clinical oncologist Dr Chris Fosker, now the CEO and medical director of the BCHC, in collaboration with BHB executive sponsor Scott Pearman and physician lead Anna Neilson-Williams.

There are also specific MDTs, or in some cases clinical review meetings, for other cancers, as well as the multi-disciplinary Comprehensive Tumour Board, which also reviews cancer cases of all types.

Dr Fosker said: “The pathway work gave us visibility into where the system was creating delays and unnecessary stress for patients. Once those barriers were clearly mapped, we were able to make practical changes to improve co-ordination, reduce avoidable waiting, and create a better experience for patients at a very uncertain time.

“Cancer care is time-sensitive, but it is also emotionally charged. By structuring the pathway and reviewing cases through a multi-disciplinary team, we have been able to remove friction points in the system and ensure patients move from diagnosis to treatment in a co-ordinated, deliberate way.”

Promoting awareness

The integrated breast cancer care pathway starts with an emphasis on early detection.

Programme manager Azuree Williams is responsible for promoting breast health education, awareness and the importance of early detection, including public education campaigns and how women are encouraged to seek screening early.

BCHC’s Know Your Lemons presentation explains nine breast cancer risk factor categories, 12 symptoms, and six detection tools that can help with early detection. 

Eight presentations in 2025 attracted a total of 5,000 attendees. Information was also presented at BCHC events such as the annual breast cancer walk and Relay for Life, reaching 7,230 attendees.

Ms Williams said: “Early detection truly can change someone’s story. When people understand what is normal for their own body and feel confident recognising changes, they are far more likely to seek help early. As an educator, I see every day how knowledge gives people the reassurance and clarity to act sooner and often that means treatment can be simpler and outcomes more positive.

“Breast health education isn’t about creating fear. It’s about building understanding and confidence. Through programmes like Know Your Lemons, we focus on practical, relatable information: what to look for, understanding risk factors, recognising symptoms, and knowing what screening tools are available. 

“My hope is that everyone feels informed and supported enough to act early if something doesn’t feel right, because when they do, they will have more options and a stronger chance of a good prognosis.”

Breast specialist radiologist Paul Risk interprets imaging, performs image-guided biopsies and identifies suspicious findings that lead to diagnosis. 

Dr Risk said: “My role within the pathway is to ensure that imaging and biopsy results are accurate, timely and clearly communicated. Breast imaging is often the first step in a patient’s cancer journey, and precision at this stage is critical.

“Through the weekly multi-disciplinary meetings, imaging findings are reviewed alongside pathology and clinical information. That collaborative review ensures that diagnoses are robust and that each patient’s case is considered from multiple expert perspectives before treatment decisions are made.”

Clinical oncologist Pat Murray leads systemic treatment planning and works closely with radiation oncology and surgical colleagues to deliver co-ordinated care. 

Dr Murray said: “Treatment planning needs to be patient centred. Each patient’s tumour biology, stage of disease, overall health and personal circumstances must be considered carefully.

“The strength of the multi-disciplinary approach is that no single clinician is making decisions in isolation. We discuss each case collectively and agree on the most appropriate, evidence-based plan. From there, we tailor treatment to the individual, ensuring that care is both clinically sound and aligned with the patient’s needs and values.”

Michele Hypolite supports patients and general practitioners by answering questions and co-ordinating care after diagnosis, helping to ensure that the right appointments happen at the right time. 

She said: “A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Patients are suddenly faced with new terminology, multiple appointments and difficult decisions, often all at once.”

In her role as a cancer navigator, she provides clinical, practical and emotional support to patients and their GPs throughout the diagnostic and treatment pathway. She helps interpret clinical information, co-ordinate investigations and appointments, address questions or concerns, and ensure that each step is clearly communicated and well organised.”

She said: “Patients and physicians consistently report that the integrated pathway offers greater clarity, smoother communication, and the reassurance that a dedicated clinical professional is actively guiding and supporting the process from start to finish.”

For information related to breast cancer, see https://www.cancer.bm/cancer-information/prevention–early-detection/breast-cancer-and-the-bermuda-pathway

The post Making treatment better and quicker appeared first on RG Magazines.

Thankfully, this is now changing with the increasing availability of telehealth services, which can either remove or reduce these barriers to seeking mental healthcare.

Telehealth pioneer and clinical counsellor, Dayla Burgess, founded TeleConnect Bermuda in October 2024.

She provides online counselling services to adults with mild to moderate mental health symptoms and has found her services to be in high demand from women aged between 25 and 45, many of whom are mothers.

“The women who are currently in my care now, most of them are mums,” Ms Burgess said.

“I think that’s the part of the service that works best for them is that they can etch out 45 minutes to an hour, which for some of them is really hard.

“I’ve had sessions where they’re new moms and they’ve had kids sleeping in the background or they may be on the ground playing with them while they’re in a session, and they’re able to stay focused and multi task.

“They really do find it accommodating to the things that they have to do within their week, especially if they’re working from home or have to remain home with their child.”

It’s not just at-home mothers who benefit from this service. It also makes it easy for busy working women to keep their therapy appointment.

“It takes less of a hassle and inconvenience out of people’s time and schedule, especially folks who are wearing lots of hats throughout the week,” she explained.

“If they can’t go into their office space during their lunch break, they go out to their car and spend 45 minutes to an hour in a session and they’re able to get back to work and they feel like they have had a reprieve for the week.”

Addressing stigma

Awareness around the importance of mental health care has increased, but Ms Burgess said a stigma still exists around therapy in Bermuda. Herein lies another benefit of attending online: you won’t bump into anyone you know.

“A lot of times, people, because of the stigma, will not present themselves to a bricks and mortar physical location.”

There are also cost benefits to online versus in-person therapy, and she’s found that even people with tight finances still have internet access.

“Mental health services or counselling still has a cost barrier associated with it and so folks who maybe can’t afford to be in the City of Hamilton, or drive into a physical location every day, most people do have Smart devices. Even if there isn’t data, they have Wi-fi at home.”

Ms Burgess, who also works in addiction medicine and recovery, cites research showing online services can also help these patients “because of the disabilities that people who have chemical addiction or chemical dependency issues are finding”.

Potential patients can book a complementary “discovery appointment” on the TeleConnect Bermuda website, during which they will learn more about the type of service provided.

“I use a therapy modality that’s called solution-focused brief therapy,” she said, which is “a set amount of sessions where you identify the problem, we set some goals around it and then we have sessions that look at pragmatic tools and ways of coping with what you’ve identified with”.

She added: “If it works for you, then we hit the ground running and we book our first session using a PIPA encrypted platform that keeps your data and all of your information safe.

“If that doesn’t work for you, I talk to them about the other services and what else is out there based on what their needs are because there’s a lot of other great clinicians out there that are also practicing online.”

Ms Burgess’s website includes a Therapist Directory of Bermuda-based mental health professionals including psychologists, child and adolescent counsellors, clinicians specialised in counselling men and boys, and a thanatologist who specialises in grief support.

In Ms Burgess’s experience, the most common mental health concerns Bermuda’s women tend to present with are high functioning depression, grief and loss, or relational issues. 

For relational issues, this could be to do with their partner or relationships within their workplace.

“A lot of the tools that we’re tapping into have to do with how to assert oneself or how to have a stronger self-esteem. Asking for the pay rise or setting boundaries with someone at work,” she explained.

“A lot of it is relational and also connected to forms of grief and loss and also childhood traumas as well, because those things tend to present as we are taking on more roles and developing more relationships in our later adulthood.”

High functioning depression, she continued, “can look like someone who doesn’t know that they have depression because they are used to managing so many roles and suppressing symptoms that don’t look like textbook depression.”

She said: “Sometimes, someone can be so dysregulated that the dysregulation in their mood actually allows them to take on more things in their schedule and handle more tasks and options.

“They don’t notice that they could be managing a disruption in their mood until there is a period of stillness and then everything falls out from beneath them.”

Polyvegal Therapy

For example, a successful team leader, working for an exempt company, might be earning a good salary and can afford childcare.

But Ms Burgess said: “They are not satisfied or happy with everything that they are able to do or everything that they have achieved. They are climbing the corporate ladder and doing all the things at work, and at home. But when that person may have a chance to sit with themselves or gather with friends, or be outside of the family duties, or roles at work, there’s this underlying tension or feeling of disconnect that they can’t quite understand what’s going on.”

To help someone overcome this, Ms Burgess takes a trauma informed approach using the Polyvegal Theory.

“This talks about the mind and body connection to our nervous system and how the nervous system is really the epicentre for all of the emotional history and emotional experiences since we were babies,” she said. 

“When we start to do a lot of excavating and timeline work, the person is able to see that, ‘I’ve been carrying a lot for a very long time and actually I’m just exhausted.’”

Online mental health services may not be for everyone but, in Ms Burgess’s experience, those who do use it, stick to it.

“The retention rates are really high,” she said. “And I really do believe that has a lot to do with the accessibility piece of it.

“Everyone has a Smart device. It’s just the way of our world. You could be without a place to live but you have a Smart device. When you have a Smart device and people are needing healthcare that is convenient, you can really access people a lot easier.”

For more information about TeleConnect Bermuda visit connectbda.com or call Dayla Burgess on 537-0734.

The post Mental health care from anywhere appeared first on RG Magazines.

For the 24-year-old Bermudian, the achievement marked the culmination of years of perseverance, self-discipline and faith in her own potential.

Her journey reflects not only personal determination but also the power of Bermuda’s public education system to lay a foundation for global success.

Destani’s academic path began at the Berkeley Institute, where the foundation of her current success was laid. Her interest in business first began to take shape at Berkeley, as well as the academic discipline and confidence that would later sustain her through her tertiary education. The role played by the public school system was not lost on her.

 “The Bermuda Public School System played an important role in shaping my academic foundation and work ethic,” Destani explained.

“My experience at Berkeley helped prepare me for the rigor of university-level studies and gave me confidence in my abilities.”

After high school graduation, however, her path took an unexpected turn. A gap year – brought on by personal challenges – interrupted what she had originally envisioned as a seamless transition into university.

Rather than allowing the setback to define her, Destani used the time to reflect, regroup, and refocus.

“That period became one of reflection and growth,” she disclosed. “It ultimately strengthened my resolve to pursue higher education.”

She enrolled at Bermuda College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. Bermuda College provided both academic reinforcement and clarity about her long-term ambitions.

“That experience helped solidify my desire to pursue a career in the business and insurance sector,” she explained.

With renewed determination, Destani made the bold decision to move to Atlanta, Georgia, to continue her education at GSU.

“Moving overseas on my own was both exciting and challenging,” she said. “But I viewed it as an investment in my future.”

Self-sufficiency

Her choice of programme at GSU was profoundly aligned with Bermuda’s global reputation as an insurance and reinsurance hub.

Over the next 2½ years, she worked steadily toward her degree, largely self-funding her education, while also earning multiple scholarships and awards.

“Strong time management, self-discipline and resilience were essential,” she said. “Even when facing challenges, I made sure my academics remained a priority.”

While studying, she actively sought exposure to the industry through internships and networking opportunities. Those experiences not only expanded her technical knowledge but also confirmed her interest in underwriting.

Today, as a recent graduate, she is continuing to build her expertise while working toward her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation – one of the most respected credentials in the industry.

She is very proud of her achievements – but one stands out.

“I am most proud of becoming the first person in my family to attend university and earn a bachelor’s degree,” she beamed.

“I am also proud of having the courage to leave Bermuda and navigate university life independently,” she added.

“Funding my education largely on my own and earning multiple scholarships affirmed that my hard work was being recognised.”

Her story underscores an important reality: success is not always about a flawless path, but about persistence through imperfect circumstances.

“Despite obstacles, I never allowed my circumstances to derail my academic performance or my long-term goals,” she intimated.

Though her determination carried her far, Destani is quick to acknowledge the network that supported her journey. Throughout her studies, she received meaningful financial assistance and encouragement from numerous scholarship committees and organisations that believed in her potential.

She was helped along the way by the Chubb Bermuda College Award, the Department of Workforce Development Overseas Award, the BFIS Ark Scholarship, the Green Family Scholarship, the GSU Bermuda Scholarship, the Institutes CPCU Society NextGen Scholarship, the ABIC Education Award, the Sandys Parish Scholarship and the Ministry of Education Further Education Award.

Destani also expressed gratitude to Ark Bermuda for providing continued internship opportunities and valuable exposure to the insurance industry.

 “Each of these contributions played a meaningful role in making my journey possible,” she said. “I carry that support with me as motivation to give back to the community in the future.”

Leadership

In that very future, Destani sees herself as an established and respected underwriter, ideally holding her CPCU designation, and potentially additional professional certifications.

“I hope to be working in a leadership or senior underwriting role within the insurance industry,” she revealed, “contributing to strong risk assessment practices and helping to develop future professionals.”

Her vision extends well beyond career advancement; she also hopes to play a meaningful role in moulding the next generation of Bermudians entering the insurance sector.

“I aspire to be a mentor for Bermudian students who are interested in insurance,” she said. “I want to share my experiences and help create pathways for others to enter the industry.”

Her advice to high school seniors considering insurance is simple but powerful: explore the field, ask questions, seek internships, and do not be discouraged by detours.

“Progress is still progress,” she advised. “Most importantly, believe in your ability to succeed, even if your circumstances are not ideal.”

From finding a love for business in the classrooms of the Berkeley Institute to honing her craft in the lecture halls of Georgia State University, Destani Warner’s journey is a testament to resilience, preparation, and purpose.

Her story highlights the strength of the BPSS, the impact of community investment and the power of a young woman determined to forge her own path.

As she steps into the next chapter of her professional life, focused on advancing in all the right ways, one thing is certain: Bermuda’s insurance industry has gained not just a scholar, but a driven, community-minded professional who is poised to make a lasting impact.

The post Insuring her Destani appeared first on RG Magazines.

The Centennial Bermuda Foundation has changed this by overhauling its scholarship model. Now, not only do they prioritise potential, resilience and motivation over an applicants’ GPA, but they also provide structured support through targeted outreach programmes. The ultimate objective is to make tertiary education the norm for every student who wants to pursue their studies or training beyond high school, regardless of background or economic circumstance: 

“Traditionally, scholarship models created barriers based on merit alone – high GPAs and academic achievement without context. That approach excluded talented students who hadn’t had access to the same opportunities,” explained Vivien Carter, Centennial’s director of philanthropy.

“Now, we prioritise financial need. We’ve lowered the GPA requirement, because we recognise that a 2.0 student with potential and the right support can absolutely succeed in post-secondary education.”

Support has also become a crucial component of this objective, and it isn’t just financial. Centennial Success Coaches, many of whom are former scholarship recipients themselves, volunteer their time to mentor first-year scholarship students and support their transition into higher education.

“We recognise that access is not only about getting to university, but about staying and succeeding once there,” Ms Carter said.

“Research consistently shows that students who have access to mentoring are significantly more likely to persist into their second year of study, with studies indicating up to a 50 per cent increase in first-year retention for mentored students.”

Break from the norm

For Bermuda’s students, the available support begins long before the scholarship application process kicks off.

To create a college and career-going culture among all students, Centennial has partnered with organisations such as PeerForward, the Department of Workforce Development, Bermuda public schools and Bermuda College. These relationships have helped Centennial to reach those that may not have considered applying to college or university.

This is particularly important for students who may not come from families where higher education is the norm.

“When no one in a household has attended college or university, higher education may not be a priority,” she explained.

“As a result, students may not see themselves as candidates for scholarships or for post-secondary study at all.

“This is why Centennial places strong emphasis on early outreach, going into schools, engaging students directly, and encouraging them to envision themselves on a post-secondary pathway. We aim to plant the seed that further education is possible and that opportunity is not reserved for a select few.”

PeerForward trains students to become mentors who in turn encourage their fellow students, or peers, to consider further education and scholarship applications.

“When students hear directly from other students who look like them and share similar experiences, the possibility of post-secondary education becomes tangible and attainable,” Ms Carter said.

Once a student has made the decision to apply, the application process itself can be daunting. Live webinars and in-person workshops during the application period provide guidance for both students and their families, along with the opportunity to ask questions.

Five scholarship categories are available from the Centennial Foundation, with a minimum of one scholarship awarded per category. The Undergraduate, Arts and Postgraduate Degree scholarships are for up to $35,000 annually for up to four years. The Community College and Skillup scholarships are for $35,000 annually for up to two years, however for the former, if the student attends Bermuda College, the award is $15,000 per year.

“Our support goes well beyond covering tuition. These are multi-year commitments,” Ms Carter said.

“That continuity matters. It means students aren’t forced to reapply or scramble for funding each year and can instead stay focused on learning, progress and completion.”

Grab your opportunity

The scholarship funding can also be used for living expenses, text books, visas, flights and other relevant costs.

“Covering the full cost of participation is especially important for students who might otherwise need to juggle multiple jobs or take on significant debt just to stay enrolled,” she added.

While it is still early, the results of Centennial’s revised scholarship programme model have been significant. In 2025, 30.5 per cent of all eligible scholarship applicants and 54 per cent of all scholarship recipients were the first generation in their family to go to college or university. 

Moreover, the shift to a needs-based criteria and the organisation’s proactive outreach programme has also encouraged students with demonstrated financial need to apply for scholarships. In 2024, the average household income of eligible applicants was $77,814 and in 2025 it was $70,151.

“We are focused on ensuring that students from households with fewer financial resources know these opportunities exist and understand that they are meant for them,” Ms Carter said, adding that within the next five to 10 years, she hopes to see post-secondary planning “fully normalised across all Bermudian households, not limited by income, school type, or family history”.

To those students who may lack the confidence to apply for a scholarship, she encouraged: “We’re looking for your potential, not perfect grades.

“If you have the desire to pursue post-secondary education and you meet our eligibility criteria, we want to hear from you. The application process might feel intimidating at first, but you’re not in this alone. We’re here to guide you through it.”

She also advised all applicants: “Be authentic. We want to understand who you are, what drives you, and what you hope to achieve. Don’t try to write what you think we want to hear – tell us your real story.”

Ultimately, she said, the scholarship process will prove its success not just by how many students receive funding, but by how many complete their studies and “emerge as leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and community builders in Bermuda”.

• Applications for the 2026 Centennial Bermuda Foundation Scholarships close on March 31. More information can be found on bermudascholarships.com and students can contact programme coordinator, Shannon Davis, [email protected] with any questions.

The post Breaking barriers appeared first on RG Magazines.

The former Berkeley Institute deputy head boy, who is already on his way to earning an actuarial science degree at St John’s University in New York, didn’t miss a beat when asked if mathematics was always his strong suit.

“I did very well in all of the academic realms, but mathematics had to be my favourite, from when I was a little boy,” he grinned.

“I love math. I love math so much. I love how math is very definitive.”

Happily, his passion for mathematics is matched by his ability with numbers and a rock-solid work ethic.

He decided he wanted to be an actuary after guidance from a careers adviser at Whitney Institute Middle School.

Then, after two years at Berkeley, he passed an exam enabling him to join the school’s dual enrolment programme with Bermuda College.

The teenager juggled classes between the two campuses, ultimately graduating in May last year with an associate degree in actuarial science, a month before he received his high school diploma.

He also factored in church commitments, prefect duties, Berkeley’s drum line and a part-time job with Hiscox insurance company.

“It was difficult,” Mr Waldron admitted, of embarking on degree-level studies while still a schoolboy.

“Any new challenge comes with these difficulties, but the biggest thing for me in managing the difficulty and increased intensity was really just learning to manage my time very well.”

He added: “Honestly, I would say it was nothing but the support of my family, my church community and God Himself and His grace and mercy that got me through that entire period.”

Staying grounded

Mr Waldron described “many sleepless nights, many stressed-out days” and how “many friendships were tested”.

But he said his faith kept him grounded and Berkeley’s motto — respice finem or keep the end in view — was an inspiration.

“I know it’s a bit corny using my school’s motto like that,” he said. “But that motto is there for a reason because if you don’t keep that end in view, you will forget why you even started.

“Motivation is a big factor in staying the course.”

Mr Waldron’s academic prowess, along with his dedication and focus, impressed his college lecturers, particularly economics professor Craig Simmons, who was “very instrumental” in telling him about the insurance industry and advising him on future university studies.

He recalled attending a college fair in late 2024, approaching the stand for St John’s University and being “shocked” to discover that staff there already knew about him, thanks to a heads-up from Mr Simmons.

“So they immediately said ‘get your application in and we’re prepared to offer you a scholarship’. I got in and I guess that’s where the real brunt of the journey began.”

Mr Waldron so impressed St John’s University that it offered him a four-year scholarship, worth $36,000 a year, to complete his undergraduate studies and potentially follow them with a one-year Master of Finance degree.

He also received scholarships from the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies, the Association of Bermuda International Companies, the Elliot Primary School Alumni Board, the PwC Head Start programme and a Belco Mathematics Award. His church, Heritage Worship Centre, also gave financial support.

“I’m grateful, very, very grateful,” he said.

Sheer joy

His favourite story about his journey is when the acceptance letter from St John’s arrived.

“I was checking my e-mail maybe five times every single day waiting for this letter and when it finally came through, with the scholarship offer, I screamed so loudly and I remember I ran to my mother’s room and I showed her.

“We almost cried because we were so happy that these steps were being ordered by God and everything was falling directly into line.”

He adds: “Then the reality kind of set in, maybe about a month later that, my goodness, I’m going to be living in New York City.

“Prior to that, I had never been to New York City or even New York State.”

After a full-time internship at Hiscox over the summer, Mr Waldron moved to the Big Apple last August, at the tender age of 17.

He said: “It was a bit overwhelming at first, especially … when the reality started setting in that I was going to be out here on my own … It was just going to be me.”

His mom, aunt and sister accompanied him there to help him settle in and he remembers vividly the moment they left.

“As soon as they turned the corner and they were out of my sight, I broke down in tears because this was my first time away from home, away from family in a big, scary environment where there’s probably at least ten times the population of my community.”

Thanks to his associate degree, he entered the second year of his four-year bachelor’s degree programme.

The university campus, where Mr Waldron lives, is on Union Turnpike in Queens, and he has a short walk to classes.

He loves city life and has become good friends with his three roommates.

“It’s such a big city and big environment but most of the faculty that I’ve met here have been so warm and welcoming and you just feel like you joined one big family,” he said.

“I haven’t really been here a full year yet, but St John’s is a lovely school, a very family-oriented community, very warm, very fun, very active.”

Once again, he is juggling a busy workload and extracurricular activities, but his grade-point average is where it needs to be and he has found a welcoming nearby Caribbean church.

He credits the Bermuda College programme with teaching him organisational skills and encourages others to consider it.

Although he loves New York, he looks forward to one day having a career in insurance back on island.

“Bermuda is going to be my home forever,” he says. “There’s nothing like home.”

The post Bright lights, big city appeared first on RG Magazines.

For Dr Sabrina Famous and Dr Ayesha Peets Talbot, it is not just a medical practice – it is a decade-long commitment to helping women find answers.

Ocean Rock specialises in root cause solutions and holistic treatment plans, and the doctors’ days are shaped as much by conversation as by clinical work.

Yet even with a decade of practice ownership under their belts and the results they see in their clients every day, there is still an age-old question that follows many women in medicine: do some people still see this profession as a man’s job?

In 2026, Dr Famous and Dr Peets Talbot say that perception has not disappeared. It has simply become more subtle, showing up in who is in the room, who is assumed to be the leader, and how women doctors are spoken to before their expertise is even considered.

For both doctors, the first major hurdle was getting accepted into medical school. They describe the pathway as demanding and competitive, with no room for drifting.

“When we first entered medicine, the main hurdle was getting accepted into a medical school,” Dr Famous said.

“It continues to be a competitive field of study; therefore, you have to be exceptional and be very focused in your high school and undergraduate studies.”

Pathways shaped by race and gender

Their routes into medicine were different, but the stakes were the same. Dr Famous remembers the intensity when she studied in Trinidad, her mother’s home country.

“The training in Trinidad was very rigorous and competitive,” she said. “We both felt the pressure to do our very best no matter what.”

Dr Peets Talbot was trained in the United States and recalls how early she understood that race and gender would shape the experience.

“From the minute I interviewed for medical school, I knew my race and gender were going to be a driving force for which I would attend,” she said.

She describes being caught between two systems, both shaped by race in different ways.

“At that time, the majority of White medical schools were looking for a certain number of Black students to fill their minority quotas, and the historically Black medical schools were looking for the best minority students to continue to have a competitive rating as a school,” she said.

Years of training and experience do not eliminate stereotypes. They simply shift the form they take.

“The biggest stereotype we run into these days is looking young for our specialty and expertise,” Dr Famous said.

She recalls a moment at a corporate event that still makes her laugh. “One of the attendees said, ‘Geesh, you look so young, but you are old enough to be my mama!’”

Dr Peets Talbot knows the experience well. “I remember being constantly questioned about my age when I first started seeing patients on my own,” she said. “It is less of an issue now thanks to a little grey hair.”

They tend to respond with humour, and both say it is more of a compliment than an insult these days. But the broader pressure is the constant juggle of professional leadership alongside family life.

“The main challenge we find is juggling a medical practice and being a mother to small children,” Dr Peets Talbot said.

“Since we started Ocean Rock Wellness ten years ago, we have had five kids collectively.”

Asked whether the old idea still shows up in Bermuda, their answer is blunt.

“And those people are right,” Dr Famous said. “It is a man’s profession.”

Dr Peets Talbot agrees, pointing to what they see upon entering professional spaces.

“We have been to many classrooms, meetings and conferences and found ourselves to be amongst a sea of men,” she said.

“Yes, women are there, and sometimes are presenting and leading the conference, but the majority of the attendees tend to be males.”

They believe Bermuda reflects this too, in part because of the realities women doctors often carry outside the clinic.

“To some degree, we can see this in Bermuda,” Dr Famous said. “I believe that this is related to many of the women doctors in Bermuda juggling motherhood as well.”

Dr Peets Talbot added: “It is hard to position yourself as a leader in the medical community in Bermuda and juggling homework and bedtime routines.”

Staying power

Both doctors speak openly about applying their training to their own health, and about outcomes that surprised even them. Dr Famous recalls a time when she had very poor eyesight and was heavily dependent on her glasses but today does not wear glasses at all. Dr Peets Talbot remembers being told she would need glasses at 40 after laser-assisted eye surgery. Now in her 46th year, she notes her 20/20 vision is still going strong.

“We truly like to practise what we preach,” Dr Famous said. “The advice we give our clients is the advice we use in our everyday lives.”

Ten years in, they do not measure success by visibility alone. They measure it by staying power and by the change they see in others.

“Longevity,” Dr Peets Talbot said. “We are proud to still be here and relevant.”

Both doctors are aware of evidence, particularly in the US, showing Black women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, have their pain dismissed, or receive lower quality care. Their response is rooted in how they listen and how they build trust.

“As Black women ourselves, we understand this issue 100 per cent and we do not want to minimise the struggle that Black women have,” Dr Famous said.

“With the type of medicine we do, everyone that walks through the door is misdiagnosed,” Dr Peets Talbot said.

“Generally, until they meet and talk to us, they feel that they have never been given a clear answer to their medical symptoms or problems.”

For young Bermudian women considering medicine, it is not a fantasy. 

“Firstly, be sure that medicine aligns with your true purpose,” Dr Peets Talbot said. “If you are clear on that, the path will be tough, but you will love it.”

The post Two doctors, one mission appeared first on RG Magazines.