Dr. Andree G. Hanna, MB BS, FRCP(C) – A Trailblazer in Her Field

Dr.Andree G. Hanna is the first Bahamian Pathologist and the first female Head of Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

Like most Bahamian children of her era, she was born “Over-The-Hill” in Nassau. The last of seven children, she was blessed with supportive siblings, a mother who taught her to strive for excellence in all that she did, and a father who taught her that there was no limit to what she could achieve.

Andree attended public schools in Nassau, completing her secondary education at the Government High School (GHS), before entering the University of the West Indies (UWI) where she studied Medicine. She graduated from Medical School with the MB BS degree, two months before her twenty-fourth birthday. Upon graduation, Dr. Hanna did her Internship at PMH and then worked at the Public Health Department before going off to specialize in Pathology on an In-Service award. After Pathology residency training at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, she returned to The Bahamas with Specialist Certification in Pathology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and admission as a Fellow of the Royal College. While serving as consultant and later Consultant head of the Pathology and laboratory Department of PMH, she enrolled in the University of Miami’s Nassau programme and graduated “Magna cum Laude” with a Masters of Business Administration degree.

Andree’s professional affiliations include: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, member of the Canadian Association of Pathologists, Member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, member of the Clinical Laboratory management Association, and Member of the International Association of Cytology.

She served initially and for many years as Pathologist in charge of Hematopathology and performed all of the bone marrow aspirates in the hospital. Additionally, staffing constraints soon made it necessary for her to also serve in Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, Autopsy Services and, at various times, all areas of Clinical pathology.

During her tenure at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Hanna is credited with modernizing and reorganizing the Department. She spearheaded the continuous provision of state-of-the-art equipment, a Satellite laboratory in the Out-Patients Department, implementation of a modern Stat Laboratory in the Accident and Emergency area, a shift system in the Blood Bank, renovation and modernization of the Rand Laboratory autopsy suite, the Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Sections, the temporary relocation of several Sections of the Department to Collins Avenue when the existing infrastructure could not accommodate the required new equipment, and an automated laboratory Information System.

An important facet of her contribution was staff development. Continuing education programmes and staff rotations were implemented. Many staff members were given In-Service awards and returned with degrees and certification in Medical Technology. Two other Pathologists were trained through In-Service awards.

Andree’s contributions also included service to much hospital, Ministry of Health, national and regional committees. She was the first Chairperson of the hospital’s Environmental Safety Committee which focused on safety monitoring, safety protocols and procedures, and safety training for all levels of staff. She was an active member of the hospital’s Medical management committee, committees devising protocols for the establishment of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), and the Terms and conditions of Service for Physicians at the PHA.

She has been honoured for professional achievements by Academy of Medical Sciences and by women in Sciences and Technology.

A long term objective of Dr. Hanna’s was certification of the laboratory to international standards, so she was delighted to be seconded in April 2004, to the Ministry of Health, to head the National medical laboratory Strengthening Project, with ultimate goal of attaining certification for public and private laboratories in The Bahamas.

Andree balances her professional life with church, family, friends and hobbies. She is a member of St. Agnes Anglican Church where she sings in the choir. She was a charter member of the Zonta club of Nassau; she is a member and past president of the Carver Garden Club and is a member of the Horticultural Society of The Bahamas. Her hobbies include floral design, gardening, traveling, swimming, racquet games and reading. She also enjoys regular gatherings of her extended family with the group of known as “The Lime”. She is now happily retired.

Andree is divorced and has two daughters, Tracy and Gina Stubbs and a granddaughter, Grace Eneas.

© Copyright Rosemary C. Hanna 2015