The V.I. Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board met virtually Wednesday to accredit medical staff and approve several additions to procedures and bylaws before entering an executive session.
At each board meeting, a chief executive officer from one of the territory’s two hospitals provides a status report. During the most recent meeting, Darlene Baptiste shared an update on her first 30 days as the chief executive officer of Juan F. Luis Hospital.
Baptiste explained that her initial focus has been on observing key team members and gaining a deeper understanding of both personnel and operations. She has also directed department heads to develop PowerPoint presentations outlining critical issues, necessary changes, and potential challenges.
Her goals include achieving operational excellence, enhancing clinical quality, and improving performance. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of austerity measures and workforce reduction as part of the hospital’s strategy moving forward.
The board approved a $50,000 credit limit for Baptiste and named her one of three authorized signatories on JFL bank accounts. (Chief Operating Officer Hazel Philbert and Chief Nursing Officer Darice Plaskett are the other two.) She also may approve contracts up to $250,000.
In other action, the full board for the St. Croix hospital approved or reapproved 29 medical staff appointments, including teleradiology, general surgery, internal medicine, and one obstetrics and gynecology physician.
Also, 25 medical staff were approved for Schneider Regional Medical Center in various fields for one to three years.
Darryl Smalls, executive director of the Territorial Hospitals Redevelopment Team, reported on a few major projects. He said nonclinical functions will be moved from JFL North to Cassava Gardens, hopefully by the end of April. Also, the contractor has been given a notice to begin work on the new hospital’s parking lot, and Smalls anticipates it will be completed by the end of the year.
Smalls also confirmed that the Charlotte Kimmelman Cancer Institute is expected to be completed by November and major equipment has been ordered, he said. SRMC’s CEO Tina Comissiong added that the search for a radiation oncologist and other staff is ongoing.
Additionally, Smalls said that at the next board meeting, he expects to be able to discuss the full package up-for-bid for construction of the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital. The bid for rebuilding the St Croix hospital has already been published twice, unsuccessfully.
Dr. Jerry Smith, chairman; Justa Encarnacion; Julio Rhymer; Christopher Finch; Dr. Frank Odlum; Faye John-Baptiste; Greta Hart-Hyndman; Kevin McCurdy; and Dr. Albert Titus attended the virtual meeting.
