U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Virgin Islands Department of Health, through its Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program, today, donated a range of specialized pediatric care supplies to the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center (JFL) on St. Croix.
“These donated items will strengthen the hospital’s ability to care for infants and children in both everyday emergencies and potential disaster situations,” said VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion.
The donation included pediatric crutches, reusable pediatric blood pressure cuffs, warming gowns, neonatal and infant airway equipment, pediatric oxygen masks, IV armboards, enteral feeding tubes, pediatric lumbar puncture kits, and umbilical vessel catheter trays, among other critical care items. These tools will support the work of the Pediatric Ward, the NICU, and the Emergency Department.
In attendance were JFL CEO Darlene Baptiste, JFL staff from the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care units, and EMSC’s Family Advisory Network representative Alvin Burkel alongside Ms. Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, EMSC Program Director for the VI Department of Health and Commissioner Encarnacion.
The commissioner emphasized the Department’s continued focus on pediatric readiness across the territory.
“Ensuring our youngest patients receive the highest standard of emergency care is a top priority for the EMSC program and the department,” said Commissioner Encarnacion. “Today’s donation reflects our commitment to strengthening pediatric capacity at JFL and throughout the territory. We also look forward to making a similar donation to Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas in the coming weeks.”
The donation is part of the broader mission of the EMSC Program, which collaborates with hospitals and emergency response partners to improve pediatric emergency care, enhance coordination, and ensure providers are equipped and trained to meet children’s unique medical needs.
“We are truly grateful to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and the EMS-Children Program for their generous donation of pediatric supplies,” said Darlene Baptiste, JFL Chief Executive Officer. “These resources greatly enhance our ability to provide safe, high-quality care for our infants and children, addressing everything from routine emergencies to the most complex critical situations. Strengthening pediatric readiness is a shared priority, and we appreciate the Department’s commitment to supporting the needs of our hospital and community. This partnership is making a meaningful difference for the families we serve every day.”
In addition to supplying equipment, the program has offered numerous trainings, including Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization.
EMSC Program Director, Ms. Greenidge-Payne, noted the importance of sustained partnership in building a resilient emergency care system for children.
“Pediatric readiness saves lives,” said Ms. Greenidge-Payne. “Our team works closely with hospital staff, EMS, and community partners to ensure children receive timely, appropriate, and high-quality care. These supplies directly support that mission, and we are proud to continue strengthening pediatric preparedness across the Virgin Islands.”
The VIDOH EMSC Program has received national recognition for its leadership in pediatric disaster preparedness, training, and readiness, including spotlight features by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and FEMA Region 2.
A similar pediatric equipment donation will be delivered to the Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas as the next step in this territory-wide pediatric readiness initiative.