Commissioner Alfred O. Heath, MD, FACS, FICA, FACA, LLC
1973-1976 and 1989-1993

Dr. Alfred O. Heath holds the distinction of twice holding down the post of Commissioner of Health. 

He was first nominated to the post by Gov. Cyril E. King and served from May 1973 to September 1976. He was again named to the post by Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly and served from March 1989 to September 1993.

Dr. Heath’s illustrious career reads like a Who’s Who in medicine, military and community service and spans the globe with experience honed from stints with the U.S. Army in Germany and locally in both private and public sectors.

He is a noted heart surgeon, licensed pharmacist, accomplished author, and a highly decorated military doctor and pilot with memberships in both civic and professional organizations. He is the recipient of sundry awards, commendations and recognition within various civic and professional organizations. An astute businessman, he is affiliated with six locally-based health care providing business.

Dr. Heath was born on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on Dec. 14, 1929. After graduating from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1947, he went on to study at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Pharmacy (1947-1949) where he received a B. Sc. of (Pharmacology and Pharmacy Award). At the time, he was a member of the ROTC. While at Temple University in Philadelphia (1959-1951) he also was a member of the ROTC and served from 1951 to 1960 as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1951, he he was commissioned 2nd Lt Transportation Corps of the U.S. Army; Distinguished Military Graduate. While in the U.S. Army Reserves, he attended Jefferson Medical College in Maryland (1953 -1957) at Jefferson Hospital and completed a rotating internship (1957-1958). He later completed his surgical residency (1958-1960) in general, thoracic and cardiovascular at Jefferson Hospital. While at the Hospital, he also completed surgical residency (1963-1965) at Chestnut Hill Hospital. He attended the University of Heidelberg in Germany from 1962 to 1963 and became an American Cancer Society Fellow from 1964 to 1965.

Dr. Health is a licensed pharmacist both in the Virgin Islands, since 1961, and in Philadelphia, since 1954. He has also been a licensed physician in Philadelphia since 1958 and in the Virgin Island since 1961.

In 1999 he was promoted to Brigadier General and received Legion of Merit Award and the V.I. Distinguished Service medial after 30 years of military service.

Dr. Health is the owner and Medical Director of Sea View Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, a position he’s held since 2000. He has served, since 1994, as the Senior Attending Surgeon at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital, a distinction from “attending surgeon

Certifications:

He holds the following certification: Diplomate American Board of Surgery; America Board of Surgery; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Fellow, International College Angiology; Fellow, American College Angiology; Affiliate, Royal Society of Medicine; Member, American Academy of Family Practice; Associate Fellow, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Membership Societies:

Board of Trustees, Antilles School; Member, Alumni Association of Jefferson Medical Society; Member, Virgin Islands Medical Society; President (1986): VIMI; Member, Board of Trustees, University of the Virgin Islands; Oversee, UVI; Elected Chairman of the Board, UVI; Past Member, Board of Medical Examiners; Vice Chairman, Christian Community Conscious Center; Member, Advisory Council, Boy Scouts of America; Director, BSA; Member, Advisory Council, Reichhold Cultural Center, University of the Virgin islands; Past Member, Health Coordinating Committee, VI Department of Health; Past member, Board of Directors, Caribbean Chorale Member, Rotary International; Member

Awards:

Rotary International, Man of the Year (1986); Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow (January 1987 and April 2009); St. Thomas Rotary, Costas Coulianos Fellow (May 1998); Business and Professional Women, Individual of the Year (January 1990); Virgin Islands’ Toastmasters, International Honoree (June 1987); National Guard of the U.S. “Garde Nationale “ Trophy (September 1994); VI Business Leaders Award, Facilitator of the Year (September 1994); Virgin Islands Medical Society, Physician of the Year (December 1994); American Cancer Society Honoree (September 1999); Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly Public Service Award (June 2003); Virgin Islands Medal of Honor (June 2003); Diakonia Medallion (All Saints Cathedral) November 2005; Lions Club Community Service Award (November 2005); Sts. Peter and Paul School Above and Beyond Community Service Award (April 2009).

Publications:

• Alfred O. Heath, M.D., Joseph W. Stayman MD “The diagnosis and Management of Blunt Abdominal Trauma: Vo. 14: Journal of the Albert Einstein Medical Center: January 1966

• Alfred O. Heath, M.D., Fredrick B. Wagner, M.D. “Retroperitoneal Fibrosarcoma without Hypoglycemia” Archives of Surgery: Vo. 92, P.P.S. 198-201: February 1966

• Joseph W. Stayman, M.D.: Alfred O. Heath, M.D. “Intussusception from Duodenal Lipoma” Penna. Medicine: Vo. 69 P.P.S. 43-45: April 1966.