U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The VI Department of Health proudly announces that more than 1,100 residents from across the territory participated in the 2025 Health & Wellness Fair, taking advantage of free health screenings, vaccinations, mental health support, and other essential services designed to promote long-term wellness and preventive care.
“From young children getting caught up on vaccines to older adults screened for chronic conditions, we saw the full spectrum of care in action,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion, who emphasized the importance of community-based outreach. “Our goal was to empower residents with knowledge, connect them to ongoing services, and help them live healthier lives.”
Held from June 2–6 on St. Croix, June 9–12 on St. Thomas, and June 13 on St. John, the two-week event provided services for residents of all ages. Services included diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure checks, clinical breast exams, PAP smears, pediatric physicals, digital rectal exams, STI/HIV screenings, and vaccinations for both children and adults. The fair brought together dozens of local health providers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies committed to expanding access to care.
In response to strong community interest on St. John, the Department of Health has added two additional dates next week — Tuesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 26 — for residents to access free health services for women and children. Free services will include pediatric physicals and vaccination for children and clinical breast exam, referral for mammograms, and PAP smear for women.
The department’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar lead this year’s Health and Wellness Fair with support from Lashonette Schjang, Director of Health Equity; Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, O’Shanna Garcia; Territorial STI/HIV Coordinator Marcus Bailey; and Cornelius JnBaptiste, Director of Facilities Management.
“This is what public health is all about—meeting people where they are, removing barriers, and creating pathways to care,” said Dr. Hunte-Ceasar. “We’re grateful to everyone who showed up for their health and to all the partners who made this possible.”
Approximately 70 partner organizations participated in the fair, offering direct services, health education, referrals for follow-up care and social support, volunteers and donations.
“This was truly a collective effort involving our entire public health and healthcare community, along with those who support individuals and families on their wellness journey,” said Commissioner Encarnacion. “We are incredibly grateful to every organization and volunteer and exceptionally proud of our DOH staff that delivered compassionate care to our community members. Their support was essential to the success of this event and its mission.”
The department also extends its gratitude to all of the physicians, nurse practitioners (NP) and nurses who provided care to residents including:
- Dr. Cecilia Penn and Dr. Brian Young of Partner-4-Kids
- Dr. Hillary Woodson, Dr. Nikole Czapp and Dr. Zeeshan Baig of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine
- NP Edecia Richards, visiting from the state of Georgia
- NP Sandy Atwood of Island Health and Wellness
- Dr. Elizabeth Barot and Nurse Stan Mason of Schneider Regional Medical Center
- Dr. Elizabeth DelGiacco of St. Thomas/St. Croix Cancer Specialist
- Dr. Gemaine Owen, VI family physician
- Dr. Regina Flippin of Urban Foot Care Center
- Physician Assistant Nikia Grant of the VI Urological Center
- Physician Assistant Capt. Camille Paul and medics from the VI National Guard
- nursing students from the University of the Virgin Islands
- Licensed Practical Nurses from the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center
- the Plessen Ophthalmology team
- the VI Diabetes Center of Excellence team
- the VI Department of Health’s Community Health and Maternal Child Health Clinics’ team; Dr. John Park, Dr. Maritza DeCosta, Dr. Gayann Hall, Dr. Margaret Sprauve, Dr. Iris Dottin and Nurse Practitioners O’Shana Garcia, Jozette Matthews, Makeda Kamara, Cherian Jnofinn and Elizabeth Nilson
The Department of Health will continue its work with partners across the territory to promote health education, preventive care, and access to services throughout the year.
