St. Croix, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Virgin Islands Department of Health extends heartfelt thanks to the St. Croix community for its enthusiastic participation in the 2025 USVI Health and Wellness Fair. Over the course of the week, more than 350 residents—ranging in age from 6 to 92—visited the fair to access free health services, screenings, and vital resources to support long-term care.
“The success of the Health and Wellness Fair on St. Croix shows the true power of community health outreach,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “We are grateful to every resident who came out to prioritize their well-being and to the many partners and healthcare professionals who made it possible.”
Commissioner Encarnacion noted that many men and women took advantage of expanded clinical services—including clinical breast exams, PAP smears, and digital rectal exams—beyond what they originally planned to receive. Routine health screenings included blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, vaccinations, eye exams, mental health support, and pediatric care, such as wellness checkups and back-to-school physicals.
Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, Chief Medical Officer and lead coordinator for the 2025 Health and Wellness Fair, emphasized the department’s goal of linking residents to long-term care and support.
“We are not just delivering services—we are building bridges to sustainable care,” said Dr. Hunte-Ceasar. “I encourage the St. Thomas and St. John communities to come out this week and take full advantage of this opportunity to start or continue your health journey.”
The Health and Wellness Fair continues next week in the St. Thomas–St. John District:
June 9–12: Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas
June 13: Morris F. De Castro Clinic, St. John
The Department of Health extends special thanks to all partnering organizations that offered information, referrals, and wraparound services, and to the dedicated physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and students who provided clinical care throughout the week including:
- 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’ Dr. John Park, Dr. Maritza DeCosta, Nurse Practitioners Jozette Matthews, Makeda Kamara, and Cherian Jnofinn.
The department also thanks the local businesses and organizations that donated food and beverages to help keep attendees energized, including J. Benton Construction, Cost-U-Less, National Industrial Services, AARP of the Virgin Islands, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
For more information about the 2025 Health and Wellness Fair, visit https://www.doh.vi.gov/2025HWF/ or follow the Virgin Islands Department of Health on Facebook.
