The V.I. Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board received updates Wednesday on the continued integration of the territory’s two public hospitals while approving several contracts tied to redevelopment projects and medical staff appointments.
During her monthly report, GHHFC Chief Executive Officer Darlene A. Baptiste said the integration of Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center on St. Croix and Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas continues to move forward through the first phase of creating one territorial health system.
“We had our very first joint Medical Executive Committee meeting last week,” Baptiste said. “It’s going to be the first of many, getting physicians across both facilities to look at one system and operate thereby, especially when it comes to policies and procedures.”
Baptiste said executive leadership integration has reached approximately 85% following the addition of Chief Financial Officer Aren Laljie. She said administrators are developing systemwide key performance indicators to measure clinical outcomes, financial performance, workforce productivity and operational efficiency while standardizing policies and procedures across both hospitals.
Emergency department operations remain a priority, according to Baptiste, who announced the formation of a territorial emergency department task force.
“Starting next month, we’re going to go back into our community,” she said. “We’re going to look at emergency versus nonemergency,” while working with community health centers and the Department of Health to help residents better understand when primary care may be more appropriate than emergency room visits.
Baptiste also highlighted several recent investments supporting health care improvements. Schneider Regional Medical Center received funding for an electroencephalogram monitoring system to expand neurological diagnostic services, while Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital secured $100,000 for upgrades to its nuclear medicine program. The health system also expects approximately $2.5 million in federal funding for an MRI machine, laboratory equipment and PET scan capabilities.
Territorial Hospital Redevelopment Team Executive Director Daryl Smalls updated the board on several capital improvement projects, saying officials remain focused on a June 30 completion target for the Cassava Gardens facility, a five-acre health infrastructure located in Castle Coakley, St. Croix, despite ongoing utility work.
“We’re still pushing for the June 30 deadline,” Smalls said, noting that temporary furnishings will be installed until permanent furniture arrives.
Smalls also reported continued progress on the medical campus development, where roadwork, utility connections and infrastructure improvements are underway.
The environmental review required before demolition of the existing Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital has entered its required 30-day public review period.
“Once we complete that 30-day review period, FEMA and the environmental folks will be able to sign off officially, granting the permit to proceed with the demolition of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital,” Smalls said.
At Schneider Regional Medical Center, procurement continues for construction of the replacement hospital. Smalls said details remain confidential while proposals are being evaluated.
The board approved a $17.9 million change order for planning and design services associated with the redevelopment of Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, increasing the contract value to approximately $39.4 million. Members also approved a $363,724 contract for furniture, fixtures and equipment planning for the Cassava Gardens facility, along with an $810,972 contract for information technology equipment supporting the project.
Board members also approved several medical staff appointments.
At Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, members approved the reappointments of neonatologist Dr. Learie Lindsay and internal medicine and critical care physician Dr. Hakima Aouchiche. Initial appointments were also approved for obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Thomas Malone and teleradiologists Dr. Mitch Tuttle and Dr. Joseph Whitlock.
At Schneider Regional Medical Center, the board approved appointments for certified registered nurse anesthetist Christian Roman and nurse practitioner Bryce Smetzer. Members also ratified the reappointment of pediatrician Dr. Mavis Matthew after previously outstanding continuing medical education documentation was submitted.
Board Chair Dr. Kendall Griffith thanked hospital leadership for its work, telling attendees, “It’s been a fantastic meeting thus far,” before members voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters and other items exempt from public disclosure under Virgin Islands law.b
