IslandMED began with a passion for service and a vision for a stronger, healthier Caribbean. What started as an idea has grown into a movement dedicated to research, education, and community impact. We believe meaningful change begins when people come together with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
To mobilize Caribbean talent, educate communities, and discover solutions that improve health and wellbeing across the region - through research, collaboration, and community partnership.
To build institutional research capacity, develop community-centered health programs, connect Caribbean professionals to opportunities at home, and produce knowledge that serves the region.
A Caribbean region where every community has access to culturally relevant health research, where local voices drive policy, and where our own data tells our own story.
Our Founding Executive Team
IslandMED was founded by four Caribbean women with a shared belief that the Caribbean deserves better - better research, better resources, and better representation.
The Founding of IslandMED Research Initiativ started with a medical student passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Through IslandMED, I hope to bridge wellness, education, and service to make a lasting impact across the region. I love all things art & music and give all honor to God.
As a medical student with a focus in Neurovascular Medicine, Laquisha co-founded IslandMED with a conviction that the Caribbean deserves health research that reflects its own people, data, and lived experience. As Vice President and Chairman of the Mind and Movement Division, she leads IslandMED's psychiatry and neurology arm with a commitment to education, representation, and community-centered care across the region. When she steps away from the work, you can find her gaming or throwing down in the kitchen
A medical student and the operational backbone of IslandMED, Nanyamka keeps the organization running with clarity and purpose. She brings experience in administration and a genuine investment in Caribbean research, education, and healthcare development. She values transparency, authenticity, and building environments where people can grow while remaining fully themselves. Off duty she is usually chasing a good conversation, a good playlist, or both at the same time.
A second-year medical student at All Saints University School of Medicine, Aaliyah brings energy, creativity, and leadership to her role as Secretary of IslandMED. She coordinates events, supports member engagement, and helps maintain the organization's communications and professional presence. Her background spans administration, customer service, and media outreach, including work with a regional energy transition reporting program. When she is not in the books, you will find her behind a camera capturing the beauty of her two island homes - Dominica and St. Lucia.
IslandMED is growing and we are actively building our executive body. If any of the following roles align with your expertise and you share our vision for a stronger Caribbean, we'd love to hear from you!
Leads IslandMED's research agenda, oversees study design and methodology, and ensures all research outputs meet institutional and international standards.
Express Interest →Manages IslandMED's financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and compliance. Oversees grant funding, donor relations, and ensures fiscal transparency across all operations.
Express Interest →Oversees IslandMED's data governance framework, ensures compliance with data privacy policy, manages secure data systems, and maintains the integrity of all research and operational data.
Express Interest →Coordinates operational logistics across all IslandMED programs and events, manages partnerships and scheduling, and ensures smooth execution of research and community initiatives.
Express Interest →Shapes and manages IslandMED's public image, leads media and communications strategy, builds relationships with press and stakeholders, and oversees all external messaging across platforms.
Express Interest →