✈️ Special Door Prize

Special door prize raffle for attendees of Breathe 2026 — because nothing clears the lungs (and the mind) like a change of scenery. To be drawn at the end of the Sunday program. We're keeping the details under wraps... but let's just say, you may want to check your passport's expiration date. 🌴

Breathe 2026 — Advancing Respiratory Health. September 19–20, 2026. 2-Day Conference: Expert Talks, Local and Regional Perspectives & Networking. Hosted by PAS & WIMA.

Two days on respiratory health — at AUC, Cupecoy, St. Maarten

Register now
About the conference

Advancing Respiratory Health

Breathe 2026 brings together everyone with a stake in respiratory health for two days of expert talks and exchange. Hosted by PAS & WIMA, the conference combines international research with local and regional perspectives — connecting the science to the realities of care in St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean.

The conference is open to all healthcare professionals, public health officials, health administrators, and insurance companies. Alongside the program, Breathe 2026 is a place to meet colleagues from across the island and the region, exchange experience, and build the collaborations that improve respiratory care at home.

September 19–20, 2026a 2-day conference
Hosted by PAS & WIMA
Pharmacy Association of St. Maarten (PAS) Windward Island Medical Association (WIMA)
Speakers

Featured speakers

Experts from the region and beyond.

MF

Dr. Martin Forde

Professor and Assistant Dean for Research at St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada. His work focuses on public health, environmental and occupational health, and climate-related health impacts.

MT

Dr. Martijn Tilanus

Pediatrician at St. Maarten Medical Center, where he has been providing pediatric care since 2013, with experience in neonatal care, childhood illnesses, and pediatric emergencies.

RS

Dr. Radjin Steingrover

Medical Microbiologist at St. Maarten Laboratory Services, specializing in diagnostic microbiology, infectious diseases, and laboratory support for clinical decision-making.

JB

Dr. Job van Boven

Associate Professor at the University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, specializing in respiratory medication, real-world drug outcomes, and improving effective and sustainable use of medicines in conditions such as asthma and COPD.

BB

Dr. Bart van den Bemt

Pharmacist, clinical pharmacologist, and researcher in personalized pharmaceutical care at Radboud University Medical Center. His research focuses on optimizing medication use, adherence, and safe, effective pharmacotherapy.

SN

Dr. SueMin Nathaniel

Laboratory Manager at the Caribbean Public Health Agency Medical Microbiology Laboratory, with technical expertise in laboratory management and regional public health. Brings valuable perspectives on tuberculosis screening, surveillance, diagnosis, and community-based management within the Caribbean context.

T·V

Tanya Balani & Veerle Bok-Baroud

Coordinators for St. Maarten as part of the Dutch Caribbean Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Roadmap, supporting collaboration across the islands to improve RSV prevention strategies, awareness, vaccination approaches, and respiratory health outcomes.

Program

What to expect

Expert talks

Presentations from clinicians and researchers on current developments in respiratory health.

Local & regional perspectives

Sessions grounded in the realities of respiratory care in St. Maarten and the Caribbean region.

Networking

Time built into both days to connect with colleagues from across the island and the region.

Day 1 · Saturday, September 19

Full-day conference

  • 08:30 – 09:00Registration & Breakfast
  • 09:00 – 09:20
    Welcome & Opening Remarks
    Dr. Luc Mercelina — The Honorable Prime Minister
    Mr. Claret Connor — The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor
  • 09:20 – 10:10
    Dr. SueMin Nathaniel — Caribbean Public Health Agency, Trinidad
    Tuberculosis Screening, Diagnosis & Community Management
  • 10:10 – 11:00
    Dr. Martijn Tilanus — Pediatrician, SMMC
    Mycoplasma Infection in Children
  • 11:00 – 11:20Break
  • 11:20 – 12:10
    Dr. Radjin Steingrover — Medical Microbiologist, SMMC/SLS
    Respiratory Pathogens in Sint Maarten: Epidemiology, Seasonality & Burden of Disease
  • 12:10 – 12:50
    Ms. Tanya Balani & Mrs. Veerle Bok-Baroud — Research Project Coordinators, SMMC
    Season Smart RSV Prevention — An Implementation Pathway for the CAS Islands
  • 12:50 – 13:40Lunch
  • 13:40 – 14:30
    Dr. Martin Forde — St. George's University, Grenada
    When Air Quality Becomes a Clinical Issue: Saharan Dust, Climate Change, and Respiratory Disease in the Caribbean
  • 14:30 – 15:10
    Dr. Marc Mertens — Pulmonologist, SMMC
    Asthma & COPD
  • 15:10 – 15:30Break
  • 15:30 – 16:20
    Dr. Bart van den Bemt — Radboud University Medical Center
    Patient Education & Treatment Adherence
  • 16:20 – 17:00
    Ms. Nitza Hooi — Pharmacist, Curaçao
    Creating a Bridge Between GPs and Pharmacists
  • 17:00 – 17:15Day 1 Wrap-Up

Day 2 · Sunday, September 20

Half-day conference

  • 09:00 – 09:30Registration & Breakfast
  • 09:30 – 09:40
    Morning Welcome
  • 09:40 – 10:30
    Dr. Job van Boven — University Medical Center Groningen
    Delivering Cost-Effective Respiratory Care in Resource-Constrained Health Systems: The Role of Biosimilars, Medication Adherence, and Real-World Evidence
  • 10:30 – 11:10
    Dr. Bas Hartel — Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis
    Sleep Apnoea
  • 11:10 – 11:30Break
  • 11:30 – 12:10
    Dr. Lotje Balder — ER Doctor, SMMC
    Emergency Care for Acute Respiratory Presentations
  • 12:10 – 12:50
    Dr. Jumoke Vreden — Anesthesiologist, SMMC
    Building Respiratory Competence Through Simulation
  • 12:50 – 13:10Day 1 Wrap-Up: Raffle & Closing

The schedule above is provisional and subject to change. Session order, speakers, and topics may be updated as the program is finalized.

Venue

AUC, Cupecoy

Breathe 2026 will take place at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Cupecoy, St. Maarten, made possible through the university's generous support.

American University of the Caribbean

School of Medicine

Sponsors & Partners

Proudly Supported By

We thank our sponsors and partners for their support in making Breathe 2026 possible.

Coat of arms of St. Maarten
Endorsed by

The Government of St. Maarten

Breathe 2026 is endorsed by the Government of St. Maarten — the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Prime Minister — in support of respiratory health, education, and excellence in care.

Air Travel

Getting here

Winair is proud to support Breathe 2026 as the event's official preferred airline. Registered attendees can take advantage of exclusive discounted fares on eligible Winair flights to St. Maarten.

Once your registration is complete, you'll receive everything you need to book your flight, including the promotional code and booking instructions.

Winair ATR aircraft on the tarmac — visit website Official Preferred Airline

Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa

Accommodation Partner

Accommodation

Where to stay

Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa is the official accommodation partner of Breathe 2026. Special accommodation rates are available for registered Breathe 2026 attendees.

Registration confirmation will include the hotel booking information, including rates and booking code.

Where to Eat

Our preferred restaurant

Pineapple Pete has been a proud supporter of our healthcare community. Their genuine appreciation for the healthcare professionals who serve our community has made them a valued friend and supporter.

Pineapple Pete Restaurant and Bar — dining room — visit TripAdvisor page

Pineapple Pete

Preferred Restaurant Partner

Register

Save your spot

Open to all healthcare professionals, public health officials, health administrators, and insurance companies. Registration takes a minute via our form.

Register now

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