Hurricane Melissa recovery in Jamaica

In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 hurricane, landed on the western shore of Jamaica and caused vast destruction of flora, fauna, homes, and infrastructure. Hurricane Melissa knocked out power, water, and health infrastructures in many parts of the island such as Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth parishes. These areas were severely damaged with all health centers and hospitals destroyed. This month, our team of doctors- Josh, Amy, and Ambereen, worked in partnership with Breaking Healthcare Barriers (BHB) and the Ministry of Health in such hurricane-damaged areas. Each day, a clinic and pharmacy  was set up in remote areas that suffered the most from he storms, including the towns of Williamsfield, Parottee and Grange. We worked with local healthcare workers and BHB volunteers to see over 150 patients, fill prescriptions, treat ailments and provide counseling.

The local hospital in Black River was destroyed and plans are being made to rebuild. Until then, we hope to return as needed and continue to support these communities.

#bestcareeverywhere

IMR begins partnership in the Barbados

IMR fostered an agreement last week with the University of West Indies (UWI) Campus in Cave Hill, Barbados to provide training in Ultrasound and Simulation for the Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine (A&E).  Hosted by Drs. Lynn-Marie Lovell and Reginald King, IMR brought a team of Emergency Medicine physicians from the US to discuss the institution of parallel training programs starting in the Spring, 2026 on an on-going basis. 

UWI—Cave Hill’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides the only tertiary care on the island, serving a catchment population of approximately 300,000 patients.  IMR will support UWI’s A&E residents and faculty training, as well as senior medical student clinical education.  We are excited to expand UWI’s teaching capacity, and look forward to working with our partners in Barbados into the future!