Geordinell Thurston Brings Precision, Passion and Purpose to Healthcare

(NASSAU, BAHAMAS) – For Geordinell Thurston, healthcare has never been just about doctors and diagnoses, it’s about the systems behind the scenes that keep care moving efficiently and equitably. As a recipient of The Bahamas Resilience and Excellence Technical Award from Lyford Cay Foundations, Geordinell is charting a path to improve the administrative backbone of Bahamian healthcare.

A 2025 graduate of Holland College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Geordinell completed her diploma in Medical Support Services. Her studies have focused on the vital operational side of healthcare, including billing, coding, documentation, and administrative support. It’s a field she was drawn to after recognising that improving healthcare in The Bahamas starts not only with skilled medical professionals, but with strong systems that support them.

“Many people focus solely on doctors and nurses,” she shares, “but I saw the importance of those who ensure that healthcare systems run efficiently. My passion is rooted in improving the healthcare experience in The Bahamas through strong, streamlined support systems.”

With her sights set on transforming healthcare administration back home, Geordinell is already thinking strategically about the impact she wants to make. She is especially interested in how efficient administrative practices can reduce delays, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately create a system that better serves both patients and providers.

“I want to tackle inefficiencies in our current system and contribute to a more accessible and effective healthcare environment,” she says. “That includes optimising workflows, making billing and coding more accurate, and empowering patients to better understand their rights and care options.”

In the long term, Geordinell plans to work in hospitals, clinics or public health agencies in The Bahamas, contributing to a stronger healthcare infrastructure. But she’s not stopping there. She also hopes to launch community outreach initiatives that educate the public on preventive care, patient rights, and health literacy, bridging the gap between healthcare administration and community empowerment.

“My goal is to help create a healthier, more informed population. I believe in the power of education and advocacy to shift mindsets and improve lives.”

Her academic journey at Holland College has given her a solid foundation, but it’s her sense of purpose that fuels her ambition. “Purpose fuels perseverance,” she says, a mantra she leans on to stay focused during challenging times. “No matter how tough things get, I stay motivated by remembering why I started: to help build a better healthcare system in The Bahamas that is not just functional, but transformative.”

Lyford Cay Foundations is proud to support driven scholars like Geordinell, who are not only investing in their education, but in a brighter, healthier future for all Bahamians. Geordinell stands ready to return home and put her skills to work, strengthening the systems that help our communities thrive.

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About The Lyford Cay Foundations

Lyford Cay Foundations are comprised of Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation, registered charities established in 1969 and 1977, respectively. Lyford Cay Foundations believe that increasing educational attainment across the country is key to the development of a prosperous, healthy and peaceful Bahamas.

Lyford Cay Foundations have a mission to invest in learning opportunities for children, young adults, families and communities, all made possible by the generosity of donors. Through a variety of programmes, Lyford Cay Foundations assists children in school as they prepare for college, students leaving school with scholarships to attend college in The Bahamas and abroad, and non-profits providing learning opportunities. To date, more than $50 million has been invested in the lives of Bahamians.