introduced to the media today.

The Jamaican woman's appointment, which will officially be announced at a press conference this afternoon, was delayed when the Immigration board discovered she is a single mother of two.

It is against Bermuda Immigration policy to recruit foreigners who are single parents. The special case was deferred to Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox who sanctioned the work permit.

The Jamaican woman will fill the post vacated by Bermudian Sheila Manderson who resigned at the end of July. The Bermuda Hospitals Board have established a clear succession plan which they say will see a Bermudian assume the position in three years.

One of the duties of the new CEO is to train the two Bermudian operating officers, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff and Chief Information Officer so that they will be equipped to take over the post when her contract is up in three years.

While the operating officers have not yet been appointed, Lucille Parker and Joan Dillas-Wright -- the two women who have been serving as acting Chief Executive Officers at the Island's two hospitals since July -- probably rank high on the list.

APPOINTMENT APP