On the island of Grand Bahama, a critical gap in cardiac care at Rand Memorial Hospital has been closed, thanks to a joint community donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama and local enterprise Coakley International. The two organizations formally presented a brand-new $7,000 electrocardiogram (EKG) machine to the public hospital during a ceremony on Thursday, ending a weeks-long disruption to one of the facility’s most essential diagnostic services.
The gap in service opened weeks earlier, when the hospital’s aging existing EKG machine suffered an irreversible breakdown. Without functioning equipment to detect cardiac irregularities, clinical teams were left without a core tool to evaluate patients presenting with chest pain and other heart-related symptoms. Adelecia Campbell, senior assistant administrator at Rand Memorial Hospital, reached out directly to the Rotary Club for support, drawing on the organization’s long history of standing with the hospital through crises and community needs.
Campbell emphasized in remarks at the presentation that the new machine is far more than an incremental upgrade for the facility. “Our old equipment was worn down after years of constant use, just like any medical device that sees daily use,” she explained. “This new model is far more advanced, and it restores a service that is absolutely central to our daily operations. When a patient arrives with chest discomfort, our physicians depend on EKG results to map out next steps—whether that means immediate treatment or a referral to a cardiac specialist. This machine directly shapes the care we can deliver to our community.”
Campbell also highlighted the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama’s unwavering commitment to the hospital in the years following Hurricane Dorian, which devastated the island in 2019. “They have stood with us every step of the way through every crisis, and we could not be more grateful for their partnership,” she added.
Shane Coakley, chief executive officer of Coakley International—a Bahamian private real estate investment firm currently working to acquire the historic Ginn properties in West End—said his company jumped at the chance to step in when the Rotary Club reached out. After an initial approach to another potential donor fell through, Rotarians turned to their long-time community partner, and Coakley International immediately agreed to split the cost of the equipment.
“As a Bahamian company rooted in this community, we see giving back as a core part of our mission, not an afterthought,” Coakley said. “Every year, we set aside dedicated funding to support local nonprofits, children’s programs, healthcare providers, and community initiatives. This donation is just the first of many investments we plan to make in Grand Bahama as we grow our presence here.”
Rotary founding member and past president Christine Van der Linde noted that two additional local businesses stepped up to make the donation possible: Bahamas Medical and Surgical Supplies secured a discounted rate for the machine, and the Mail Boat Company covered the cost of transporting the equipment to the island. The partnership reflects a broader pattern of local collaboration to address gaps in public healthcare on the island, turning a critical service disruption into an opportunity to improve care for generations of patients.
The donation was celebrated by hospital staff and community leaders gathered in the hospital’s main foyer, marking the end of weeks of uncertainty and the start of enhanced cardiac care for Grand Bahama residents.