Another successful Geriatric Pushathon was held on Saturday, July 4, under the theme “Out of Bed: Full Speed Ahead”.

A large number of participants congregated at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, Fox Hill Road at 6 a.m. for the 15th edition of the Pushathon – an annual walk, run, and wheelchair event hosted by Sandilands and the Public Hospitals Authority, with Colina Insurance Limited serving as the title sponsor.

The event, which is designed to promote the mobility of senior citizens and healthy aging, routed participants through Fox Hill, Prince Charles Drive, Elizabeth Estates, and Yamacraw Road.

A number of Colina employees and sales people participated in various aspects of the event, including the pushing of seniors along the route.

Dr. Joel Lightbourn, senior house officer of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, and chairperson of the 15th Annual Geriatric Pushathon Committee, expressed his satisfaction with the level of participation this year.

“Pushathon 2026 was an awesome experience. The Pushathon Committee would like to thank the members of the public for coming out and supporting this event in great numbers. We were very happy with the number of people that participated,” said Lightbourn.

He also expressed his appreciation to the volunteers that assisted in making the Pushathon a successful event.

“We couldn’t have done it without you. Our volunteers really came out in full force this year and I am very grateful to the Rotary Club, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) recruits, the RBDF Rangers, BACO [Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers], and all who came to support us. We are also grateful for the support of all of our sponsors. It was indeed a pleasure to have Colina as our dedicated and proud title sponsor. Thank you to Dr. Channa Jagadesh, our esteemed patron, for all you have done for the geriatric population and for your efforts in pushing this event to great heights. We look forward to a bigger, better event next year.”

Colina presented $10,000 to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre on Thursday, May 28, during a launch event which also announced the event’s patron, Dr. Channa Jagadeesh, retired geriatrician of the Geriatric Hospital.

“Colina is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Sandilands and to serve once again as title sponsor of the Geriatric Pushathon, which honors our seniors, supports healthy aging, and reminds them that they are seen, valued and celebrated,” said Maxine Seymour, director, corporate communications at Colina.

“I am especially pleased that this year’s patron is Dr. Channa Jagadeesh, whose decades of service to The Bahamas have touched so many families, including my own. He cared for both of my grandparents and other family members during his time as a physician in Exuma, while his wife helped shaped young Bahamian lives as a teacher on the island. That personal connection makes the 2026 event especially meaningful for me, but Colina’s commitment to Sandilands has always been bigger than any one person. It reflects our continued investment in community, care for the people of The Bahamas, and our commitment to preserving the dignity of those who helped build this nation.”

About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina)

Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past 155 years to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

About Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre

Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre is The Bahamas’ national resource for psychiatric, geriatric and substance abuse services. The Centre is located in the eastern district of New Providence on Fox Hill Road, has a staff complement of 791 and consists primarily of two (2) Hospitals: Geriatric Hospital which cares for the elderly with medical, social and psychiatric problems; and the Sandilands Hospital that cares for the mentally and physically challenged children, adolescent and adult clients.