The Island’s new Minister of Health, Seniors and the Environment, Jeanne Atherden, was sworn in at a ceremony at Government House yesterday.

Mrs Atherden, who said her experience on the Bermuda Health Council gives her “a unique perspective”, replaced former Minister Trevor Moniz, who became Attorney General in the wake of last week’s resignation by former AG Mark Pettingill. Mr Pettingill stood down after accepting a position with Clarien Bank.

It was the second time in less than six months that the job of Health Minister has been switched. Mr Moniz was Public Works Minister in the OBA’s first Cabinet, but he swapped jobs with former Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin in December during a Cabinet shuffle.

At yesterday’s ceremony, which was presided over by Governor George Fergusson, Mrs Atherden said she was looking forward to “getting down to work on behalf of the people of Bermuda”.

“I just want to say how pleased I am and honoured to be a part of the Cabinet team. And I want to stress ‘team’ because going forward this is what Bermuda needs. They need us to work on the people’s business and come forward and get the goals and results that we need. I’m looking forward to doing some of the things that we were elected to do. I realise that I have lots to do and I’m coming to grips with the Ministry and I’m looking forward with anticipation.

“I think I bring an enthusiastic approach. I’m a consensus builder but I also bring some knowledge. I have been chairman of the Health Council, I have been on the Bermuda Hospitals Board, I have been involved in many other Government boards so I know what it’s like to work together and I know also from reaching out into the community that Bermudians expect us to be approachable but they also expect us to be working on the goals and that’s what I’ll be doing.

“What I have to do is make sure that we keep the goals in view, make Bermuda aware of the results that we’re trying to achieve, and if something is happening differently, be able to let them know because I think keeping people apprised of what you’re doing is very important. Bermudians want to know how you’re progressing.

“Nothing’s going to be perfect but they do want to know if something’s not quite the way you thought it should be, let them know that you understand it and you have a way in which to correct it.”

Mrs Atherden holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Montreal’s McGill University, as well as her designation as a chartered accountant, and has served in a number of education-related posts.

Following Mrs Atherden’s swearing in, Premier Michael Dunkley said: “It is certainly very exciting for me to welcome Minister Atherden to the team.

“Minister Atherden brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the position of Minister — a chartered accountant well-known throughout the community for work she’s done in the community. She has served on many Government boards in the past and I believe having the Minister in Cabinet now further strengthens our benches, with the resignation of the Attorney General last week to go into private business.

“So I’m excited to have the Minister in Cabinet. I’m looking for many great things and I’m also cognisant of the fact that Minister Pat (Gordon-Pamplin) has another female in Cabinet to share some stories with.

“We have a very strong Cabinet team and a very strong backbench and as I said last week, it is time that we get to work.”