The Hospital Education Committee, formed by the Bermuda Hospitals Board in the mid 1970s, issues scholarships to Bermudians who are interested in nursing and health-care related professions.

"It was part of our plan to Bermudianise the Hospital,'' said Mr. George Simons, administrator of St. Brendan's Hospital. "The Board's goal was to train Bermudian students overseas and have them return to work for the Hospital.

"And the scholarships encourage Bermudians to pursue a career in hospital care,'' he added.

The Education Committee receives all applications for scholarships, interviews applicants and ultimately, selects scholarship winners.

Scholarships, which amount to a minimum of $7,500 a year, are awarded annually during the summer months and have a maximum life of four years, according to chairman of the Education Committee, Senator Albert Jackson.

An average of eight scholarships are awarded each year. But there are 16 scholarship recipients studying abroad at any one time. And although the number of applicants vary, "there are always more applicants than scholarships available,'' said Senator Jackson.

The Hospital also offers interest free loans to students interested in the health care field. Anyone interested in hospital care can apply for loans or scholarships as long as they have the academic qualifications.

If they are awarded the scholarship, however, there is one stipulation.

Recipients must return to the Island and give the Hospital one year of service for each year that they were subsidised.

"But many scholarship recipients have remained with the Hospital,'' said Senator Jackson.