‘Never imagined I’d live my life in Bermuda’

A popular and well-respected doctor will hang up his stethoscope next month after nearly four decades looking after the island’s children.

Dr David Barber has been a familiar face at the Victoria Street Surgery since he came to Bermuda from England in the mid 1970s.

But the keen fisherman will have double cause for celebration on June 15 when he officially retires, as it is also his birthday.

Dr Barber is one of three long-serving members of staff at the clinic in Hamilton who will call time on their careers this year.

Nurses Sue Pedro and Lise Outerbridge are also looking forward to a more leisurely life when they retire.

Between them, the caring trio have worked for the Department of Health for more than 100 years.

Dr Barber arrived in Bermuda in 1974 after responding to a job advert in the British Medical Journal.

He said: “I still remember when I saw the advert.

“I was working in Bath at the time and I was early for a meeting.

“It was pouring with rain outside and as I looked at the BMJ I thought Bermuda sounded like a nice place to work.

“But I never for a minute imagined I would end up living my life there.”

After initially working at the hospital for six months, Dr Barber moved to the Government clinic in Hamilton where he has remained for just over the last 37 years.

He has also given up his time to help community projects and charities such as PALS and Open Airways.

Dr Barber added: “I have always enjoyed the work and I am sure there are parts of it I will miss.

“I have always felt I have one of the best jobs going.

“I have so many memories from over the years; some have been tremendously rewarding while others have been very sad.

“I’ll miss the good people I work with and the children I see.

“But I am also excited about having a rest.

“I’m looking forward to taking my golden Labrador, Jasmine, for walks and spending more time on the water fishing.

“I’m also planning on sailing to the Caribbean this winter.”

Ms Pedro was recently named Nurse of the Year for her dedication to the profession.

She arrived in Bermuda from the UK in 1971 and over the years she has worked tirelessly to care for her patients as well as raise awareness about health issues.

Nurse Pedro, who worked as the Community Health Nurse for many years, will officially retire at the end of July after 32 years working at the Clinic in Hamilton.

She told the Bermuda Sun: “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family – especially my grandson in Spain.

“I have been very fortunate in my career and worked with some incredible people.

“I’ll be sad to leave, but I’ll still continue to work with victims of sexual assault.”

Meanwhile Nurse Outerbridge officially retired at the end of March after nearly 40 years in the profession in a string of different roles.

But she is continuing to work as the Senior Epidemiologist Nurse on a part-time basis while a replacement is found.

She said: “Nursing has been extremely good to me.

“I would thoroughly recommend it as a career choice. It has been a very valuable experience and I have been given a tremendous amount of opportunity throughout the Department of Health.”