The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability has appointed Caymanian public health professional Halle Miller as its first deputy national epidemiologist, strengthening public health capacity while creating a pathway for Caymanians to develop specialist expertise and progress into senior roles.
The newly created position highlights the importance of developing deputy roles through which Caymanians can work alongside experienced specialists, deepen their knowledge and take on greater responsibility. Miller’s progression from ministry intern to policy support officer and now deputy national epidemiologist illustrates how practical experience and professional support can help develop Caymanian expertise within the health system.
Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks said the appointment reflected an investment in Cayman’s public health capability and the development of Caymanian professionals.
Ebanks said, “Creating deputy positions gives Caymanians a route to develop the specialist experience needed for senior roles. Working alongside experienced professionals allows them to build their expertise and take on greater responsibility while contributing to the health system. Halle’s progression demonstrates why these opportunities matter.
“Doctors and nurses are vital to our health system for individual care, and public health offers interesting and rewarding careers focused on the health of the population in epidemiology, data analysis, health policy, research, health promotion and programme development. We want Caymanians to see these opportunities and know that there are different ways to build a meaningful career improving the health of our community.”
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The deputy national epidemiologist position expands the ministry’s capacity to monitor population health trends and use evidence to inform public health action. Epidemiology examines patterns of disease and other health conditions within populations, helping authorities identify changing needs and guide prevention, policy and planning.
Working alongside national epidemiologist Rachel Corbett, Miller will help strengthen disease surveillance and epidemiological reporting, analyse and interpret population health data, provide technical and policy advice to the Ministry, Public Health, the Health Services Authority and other stakeholders.
Reinforcing capacity
Corbett said, “The establishment of the Deputy National Epidemiologist role is an important step in reinforcing our epidemiological capacity. Good public health decision-making depends on our ability to identify trends, understand what is driving changes in population health and translate that evidence into timely action.
“Halle already brings valuable experience of our local public health context, as well as strong analytical and research skills. Having additional epidemiological capacity will allow us to strengthen surveillance and analysis across both communicable and non-communicable diseases, while continuing to improve how we use data to inform prevention, policy and planning.
I am delighted to welcome her to the role and look forward to continuing to work alongside her as we build this capability for the Cayman Islands.”
Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Miami and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She began her public health career as an intern with the Ministry before joining the Chief Medical Officer’s team as a policy support officer. Her work included supporting national health priorities and contributing to the 2023 STEPS national health survey, where she gained practical experience in collecting and using population-level data to better understand disease patterns and public health risk factors. She also translated research and evidence into insights that informed policy development and public health decision-making. These experiences strengthened her interest in epidemiology and in translating population health data into public health action.
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Ministry’s first Deputy National Epidemiologist and to have the opportunity to use the skills I have developed to serve the community I call home,” Miller said. “Epidemiology helps us understand the health of our population, identify where needs are changing and turn evidence into action. I look forward to helping strengthen Cayman’s capacity to use that evidence to inform public health decisions.”
Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said: “It is a pleasure to join with the Ministry in recognising this vital appointment and I congratulate Ms Miller on her achievement. This important position reflects the steps we are taking to drive stronger data-informed policy and programmes for delivering healthcare in the Cayman Islands.”
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, Miller plans to develop her skills and expand her responsibilities as an epidemiologist and public health leader. She also hopes to support and mentor other Caymanians interested in public health and epidemiology.
“I see this appointment not simply as recognition of what I have achieved, but as a responsibility to continue learning, to grow as a public health professional and leader, and to contribute meaningfully to the development of epidemiology in the Cayman Islands,” she said. “Being entrusted with this role is an opportunity to build on what has been established, help strengthen the country’s capacity to use evidence to inform public health action, and leave a lasting contribution to the health system and to the people we serve.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Miller encourages anyone interested in a career in public health to step out of their comfort zone, explore the breadth of opportunities available and use their own experiences to bring insight and value to their work.