The Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill is pleased to announce the opening of the
Cecil Cyrus Caribbean Museum of Medical History (CCCMMH) at the Errol Walrond Building, Clinical Skills Complex, Jemmott’s Lane, St Michael, Barbados on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. This museum will be a historic monument showcasing artefacts highlighting the Caribbean’s medical history of traditional and orthodox approaches to medicine and health.
The CCCMMH is intended to be a self-sustaining educational resource for students, researchers, and the public; and will significantly contribute to the advancement of knowledge regionally and globally. The museum will initially include a unique exhibition dedicated to the legacy of Dr. A. Cecil Cyrus. It will expand gradually to include:
1. Spaces for permanent and rotating exhibitions rooted with Caribbean medical history
2. A research library and archive
3. Educational facilities for lectures, workshops, and interactive learning incorporated into the existing medical skills teaching complex
4. Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for immersive learning
5. Storage and conservation facilities for curated artifacts
Exhibition -The Opening
The opening exhibition will be the first exhibition of the Sir A Cecil Cyrus Collection. The anatomical specimen collection along with other objects such as medical books and surgical instruments will serve as the foundation for a medical catalogue which celebrates and preserves the narrative of the development of Caribbean health and medicine as seen through the lens of Caribbean people. This will be the continuation of the legacy started by Dr. Cyrus in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The relocation of the collection was overseen by the Faculty of Medical Sciences’ entrepreneurship committee and made possible through the support of The UWI Global Campus - St Vincent, The Ministry of Health and Wellness, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the technical support of the staff of the Milton Cato Hospital.
Fig 1. Dean Damian Cohall welcoming the arrival of the A Cecil Cyrus Collection to the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Clinical Skills Complex at Jemmott’s Lane, Bridgetown.
Figure 2. Lady Cyrus and her daughter, Rachel Haslam meet Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Clive Landis and Dean Cohall at the site designated for the Cecil Cyrus Caribbean Museum of Medical History. Also included are Drs. Natalie Greaves and Heather Harewood and Ms. Tyeisha Bonnett who assisted with the relocation and opening of the museum.
Sir A Cecil Cyrus
Arthur Cecil Cyrus was born on January 6th 1929 in Layou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He was the island’s first trained surgeon. In 1950 he entered Queen’s University in Ireland. He gained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) of England and Edinburgh and obtained diplomas in ophthalmology and obstetrics, and opened the private Botanic Hospital in 1976
After retirement (2001), he converted his clinic into the “Dr. Cecil Cyrus Museum” to display part of his collection and unique medical instruments.
He died March 24th, 2023, and his medical collections and legacy were gifted to The UWI, Cave Hill.
The Journey of an Odessey - Relocation of the Sir A Cecil Cyrus Collection
The relocation of the collection from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Barbados took place over a period of two (2) years with three visits of staff from The University of West Indies, Cave Hill to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The first two of the three visits were to explore the feasibility of the relocation, and the third visit was to facilitate the relocation of the specimens and curated artefacts. A team of five (5) staff members inclusive of Drs. Alain Raid and Keerti Singh, Ms. Keisha Mascoll, Mrs. Kiana Hall and Mrs. Juann Ward working along with a team from The UWI Global Campus and Milton Cato Hospital were able to package over 700 specimens from the Cyrus’ collection for relocation to Barbados during the period August 5 – 10, 2024.
Fig 3. The UWI team members (Dr. Natalie Greaves, Mrs. Juann Ward and Mr. Kenneth Alleyne) with Lady Cyrus at the University’s second visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Fig 4. The UWI team members (Mrs. Juan Ward and Mr. Kenneth Alleyne) with Lady Cyrus on the University’s second visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The cost of the relocation of the collection was graciously donated by Mr. Richard Edgehill, Benefactor.
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Fig 5. The UWI Team cataloguing specimens in St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the third visit.
Fig 6. The UWI Team which facilitated the cataloguing and relocation of 700 specimens from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Drs. Alain Reid- Pathologist and Keerti Singh - Anatomist, Ms. Keisha Mascoll, Mrs. Kiana Hall and Mrs. Juann Ward- Medical Laboratory Technologists).
We are excited to offer our visitors a seamless and efficient payment experience for tours of the museum. Fees are for the maintenance of the museum to sustain the curated artefacts. Donations are also acceptable.
Below are the details of our entry prices. All prices are quoted in BDS:
As part of our special opening promotion, we are offering a $5 discount on all prices until the end of May 2025. During the month of May tours will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. The museum is open between 10:00am - 3:00pm.