St. Thomas, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Virgin Islands Department of Health and its partners are entering the next phase of the Territory’s fight against cancer as healthcare leaders from across the districts gather this week to evaluate progress, strengthen partnerships and chart the next year of implementation of the USVI Cancer Plan.
Hosted by the Department of Health’s Division of Chronic Disease Prevention in partnership with the USVI Cancer Coalition, the USVI Cancer Summit brings together representatives from government agencies, hospitals, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and advocates for two days of collaboration focused on reducing the burden of cancer across the Territory. The summit will be held Wednesday and Thursday at The Westin-St. Thomas.
“The USVI Cancer Plan belongs to all of us, and its success depends on strong partnerships,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “The Cancer Plan was developed through the collective efforts of our clinical partners, public health professionals, individuals living with cancer, survivors, caregivers, and community stakeholders who generously shared their expertise and lived experiences. The Cancer Summit once again brings us together to evaluate our progress, to learn from one another, and to strengthen our collaboration as we continue working to lessen the burden of cancer throughout the Virgin Islands.”
The summit is designed to evaluate progress made over the past year, establish priorities and action steps for the coming year, and strengthen partnerships that support cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
Developed through broad community collaboration, the USVI Cancer Plan serves as the Territory’s roadmap for reducing cancer incidence, improving access to quality care, supporting survivors and caregivers, strengthening cancer surveillance, and advancing health equity. The annual summit provides an opportunity for the organizations leading that work to measure progress, share best practices and identify new opportunities to improve outcomes for Virgin Islanders.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Virgin Islands, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration and evidence-based public health strategies.
Throughout the summit, participants will receive updates from each of the USVI Cancer Plan’s four implementation workgroups — Prevention; Early Detection; Diagnosis and Treatment; and Quality of Life/Survivorship — while reviewing cancer registry data, discussing access to care, exploring policy opportunities and participating in strategic planning sessions that will guide implementation efforts over the next year.
Organizations participating in the summit include the American Cancer Society, University of the Virgin Islands, Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute, Cancer Support VI, the Yvonne Ashley Galiber Breast Cancer Foundation, Strategic Health Concepts, members of the USVI Cancer Coalition and numerous public and private healthcare partners working together to strengthen cancer prevention and care throughout the Territory.
“Developing the USVI Cancer Plan was an important milestone, but implementation is where we begin to make a measurable difference in people’s lives,” said Dr. Lyña Fredericks, Director of the Department of Health’s Division of Chronic Disease and Prevention. “We worked really hard to move this plan from strategy to action. Every partnership we strengthen, every screening initiative we expand and every educational opportunity we create brings us one step closer to reducing cancer incidence and improving outcomes for Virgin Islanders.”
The Department also recognizes the continued leadership of the USVI Cancer Coalition and its volunteer work groups, whose members help guide implementation of the USVI Cancer Plan throughout the year.
“Cancer touches nearly every family in some way,” said Denise Mollfulleda of the American Cancer Society and Co-Chair of the USVI Cancer Coalition. “That is why we encourage healthcare professionals, advocates, survivors and caregivers to join one of our four coalition workgroups. The more voices, expertise and resources we bring together, the better equipped we will be to identify solutions that meet the unique needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Opening remarks and featured guest presentations from the summit will be streamed live on the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s Facebook page, @VirginIslandsDOH, allowing the public to follow the Territory’s ongoing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.
The 2026 USVI Cancer Summit is supported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and reflects the Virgin Islands’ continued commitment to building a healthier future through collaboration, innovation and shared action.
About the Virgin Islands Department of Health Division of Chronic Disease and Prevention
The Virgin Islands Department of Health’s Division of Chronic Disease Prevention works to improve the health and well-being of Virgin Islanders through evidence-based programs that prevent chronic disease, promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen public health systems. Through implementation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Cancer Care Plan and collaboration with healthcare providers, community organizations and national partners, the Division is leading efforts to reduce the impact of cancer and improve outcomes across the Territory.
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