Staniel Cay Medical Clinic Rebuild: Why It Matters — and How You Can Help
St. Luke’s Clinic Redevelopment Project | Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
A major rebuild is underway to expand and modernize Staniel Cay’s historic medical clinic.
The Clinic is still open while under construction. Photo ©StanielCayLife
One of the questions I hear from visitors is:
“What happens if someone needs medical care on Staniel Cay?”
Good question! If you’ve spent any time here — as a visitor, boater, renter, second homeowner, local resident, or neighbor from another cay — you know we are wonderfully remote. That’s part of the charm. It’s also part of the challenge.
Today I’m sharing an inside look at the Staniel Cay St. Luke’s Clinic — what the redevelopment project is building, why it matters so much to this community and the wider Exuma Cays, and how you can help strengthen this essential resource.
I’m writing this both as the voice behind Staniel Cay Life to keep you informed, and from the heart — this project matters deeply to me. I’m honored to serve on the clinic project’s Local Steering Committee, working alongside many others to support the rebuild and modernization effort.
Staniel Cay was the first community in The Bahamas (along with Long Island) to build and own its own medical clinic and the land beneath it. The clinic has faithfully served patients for 60+ years, sustained by local commitment and community-funded repairs.
A Critical Resource for Staniel Cay and the Exuma Cays
Staniel Cay St. Luke’s Clinic is the most centrally located medical facility in the Exuma Cays and serves as the primary medical access point for this entire area, including:
Full-time residents and families
Local workers
Second homeowners and seasonal residents
Neighboring cays’ owners, guests, and staff
Vacation visitors
Boaters, yacht crews, and guests
Charter and tour excursion guests and crew
Pilots and air travelers
When something happens — a fall, boating injury, pig bite (it happens!), dehydration, infection, allergic reaction, or trauma event — the clinic is the first and only immediate stop before a 30-minute flight to Nassau. Right now, anything beyond minor treatment typically requires evacuation — often costly and logistically difficult, especially when time matters most.
Staniel Cay’s current clinic is staffed year-round by two dedicated on-island nurses. About once a month, a general practitioner doctor from Nassau visits for a limited window of appointments. Because on-island accommodations are limited, visiting physicians must fly in and out the same day.
The current team provides essential and often critical front-line care — but within the limits of the existing facility and infrastructure. The rebuild project is designed to expand on-island patient care capacity for both urgent and routine treatment.
See that sparkling water?! The clinic location is just steps from a landing beach to open sea. Photo ©StanielCayLife
The new Trauma Center will feature a dedicated entrance just steps from a landing beach for immediate boater access — and directly on the main road for quick access by everyone else.
What the Clinic Project Is Building
The initiative renovates part of the existing clinic and adds significant new construction to create a modern medical center so that improved urgent care, stabilization, prevention, and routine treatment can happen right here on Staniel Cay.
Plans include:
Dedicated trauma and emergency treatment space
Expanded patient exam and treatment areas
Upgraded medical infrastructure and equipment capacity
A dedicated dental suite — the first-ever opportunity for on-island dental care
Second-floor residential apartments for visiting doctors and specialists
Backup generator power and water systems
Modern communications for telehealth support
Accessibility improvements
Reviewing Clinic plans at a community meeting. Photo ©StanielCayLife
Key Public-Private Partnerships Making This Possible
St. Luke’s Clinic holds a special place in Bahamian history. Founded in the early 1960s, it is one of the oldest clinics in The Bahamas. The same pioneering community spirit that built the original clinic is driving today’s redevelopment.
St. Luke’s remains unique in that it operates under a true public-private partnership model:
The Staniel Cay community owns the land and leads the project.
Community, donors and partners fund construction and modernization.
The Bahamas Ministry of Health supports the initiative and provides staffing, equipment, and supplies.
We are also proud and thankful to partner with the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, long-time visitors to Staniel Cay. LHPYC hosted the very first fundraiser and secured more than $200,000 seed money to launch Phase I. They also created a USA non-profit organization to receive tax-deductible contributions for the clinic project. The Staniel Cay St. Luke’s Clinic Foundation — a registered 501(c)(3) organization — continues to provide instrumental support.
Project Budget and Construction Phases
The total project budget is $1.5 million.
To date, we have raised just over $600,000. Continued donor support, large and small, is essential to keep momentum moving forward.
Special shout-out to our first Legacy level donor: the Bob & Jeanne Coughlin Foundation donated an astounding $250,000. Thank you!
Phase I was completed last year (2025) and included critical structural repairs and essential infrastructure upgrades to the existing clinic. Phase I also built a new entrance porch and access ramp to improve accessibility and create a new primary entrance so the clinic can remain operational during the larger rebuild.
Phase II is currently underway. This is the most construction-intensive and funding-dependent stage which will construct the new two-story building and bring it to a “closed-in” state. Construction crews have already demolished the old building section, excavated and prepared the site, poured the concrete foundation, tied in the columns, and back-filled and leveled the area. Now (Feb 2026), plumbing and electrical rough-ins are being completed, and the construction crew will soon pour the ground-floor slab, then start to block up the walls.
Phase III will complete the interior buildout, exterior details, and bring the clinic to full operational readiness.
Excavating the site to prepare new foundation. Photo ©StanielCayLife
Construction crew: heavy equipment operator. Photo ©StanielCayLife
Building the foundation—literally & figuratively! Photo ©StanielCayLife
Why This Project Matters — and How To Support
Many people assume medical infrastructure is someone else’s responsibility — until they need it.
Remote island destinations are unique—medical infrastructure exists here only when people come together to make it happen. Even if you are “just visiting,” this project directly affects you. It impacts the safety, preparedness, and quality of care for EVERYONE who spends time on Staniel Cay or in the Exumas—on land or sea, for business or pleasure.
To help make Staniel Cay truly sustainable with strong medical capability for everyone who needs it, please consider making a contribution. Every donation of every amount is appreciated, makes a meaningful difference in moving this project forward, and allows donors to be part of this history-making effort.
Local Steering Committee with Bob & Jeanne Coughlin, Coughlin Foundation representatives, and local RN Nurse Rolle. PHOTO CREDIT: Zaria Dean.
Named-Level Donor Recognition Tiers
Donors who are able to participate at higher levels will be recognized on the Clinic’s Donor Wall – a permanent feature that will live in the clinic’s new lobby and a virtual Donor Wall that is live on the website already.
Legacy Level $100,000+ (donation amount specified on donor wall)
Founder Level $50,000 - $99,999
Platinum Level $20,000 - $49,999
Gold Level $10,000 - $19,999
Benefactor Level $5,000 - $9,999
If you are interested in donating at one of these levels, contact the Clinic Foundation’s Major Gifts Chair, Julia Robinson, at the website’s contact info or simply drop me an email! We can assist with wire transfers to the Foundation and discuss any questions you may have.
💳 General Donations — Any Amount
Direct donations can be made by credit card through the official clinic donation page.
🌿 Pathway to Wellness Brick — $150 each
Sponsor a personalized engraved brick along the Clinic’s Pathway to Wellness — a lasting, visible contribution. These bricks will form the walkway to the clinic, and each can be inscribed with three lines of text of your choice. Purchase here.
March 2026 Fundraising Events on Staniel Cay
If you will be on Staniel Cay or in the area for either/both dates below, come join us!
Saturday, March 21 — SCYC Bond Party
This annual party at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is tremendous fun and serves as a fundraiser for a designated cause. This year’s bash will benefit the clinic project! Please come by the fundraising table — staffed by yours-truly and other Committee members —to say hello, ask questions, and learn more about the project and giving options.
Saturday, March 28 — All-Community Fundraiser & Donor Appreciation Party
Plans are in the works for a lunchtime event at the Staniel Cay Public Beach to share clinic project updates and special announcements, celebrate our donors and inspire continued giving. We anticipate a fabulous event with large community turnout, government officials, VIP donors, Foundation members, food, drinks, music, festivities. Stay tuned with SCL for details – hope to see you there! Everyone welcome!
How Else Can You Help? Spread the word. Share this article. Tell your neighbors or fellow visitors and boaters. Awareness matters.
A Personal Note
Staniel Cay has always been a place where people show up for each other. That spirit built the original clinic — and it’s building the next chapter now.
If Staniel Cay has given you good memories, safe harbour, friendships, or meaningful moments — this is one way to give something lasting back.
Thank you for caring about this little island that means so much to so many.
Want More?
👉 FOLLOW @StanielCay.Life for more behind-the-scenes content, island clips and sunny vibes. Don’t forget to look at our Stories for real-time extras!
👉 Email me if you have any questions or want more information!