♫♫ >>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> WELCOME BACK, VIEWERS, AND THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO OUR FIRST EPISODE OF THE 2023 SEASON.

I´M ADRIAN WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

AND YOU´RE WATCHING "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´LL BE YOUR HOST, AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE TERRITORY´S MOST CRITICAL RECOVERY SECTOR, HOSPITALS.

WHAT´S THE PLAN FOR TRANSITION TO JFL NORTH?

WHEN WILL JFL BE ABOLISHED?

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR ALL THE TERRITORY´S HOSPITALS?

GUESS WHAT?

WE´LL HEAR ALL THIS AND MORE FROM SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, MYRA COMMUNITY CENTER HEALTH CENTERS ON ST. JOHN.

BUT FIRST, LET´S GET THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT OTHER ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS AROUND THE TERRITORY.

FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, THE LONG-AWAITED REPAIRS TO THE LIGHTS ON THE MELVIN EVANS HIGHWAY IS UNDERWAY, AS THE REPAVING OF THE WESTERN SEGMENT IS NEARING COMPLETION.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER, DERRICK GABRIEL, GIVES US THE DETAILS.

>> FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH AND GOING INTO APRIL, WE WILL FOCUSED ON OUR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, OF COURSE THAT INCLUDES THE WATERWAYS AROUND THE HIGHWAY, AS WELL AS OUR CULVERT REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION.

SO, THAT WILL ALLOW FOR WATER NOT TO SETTLE ON THE HIGHWAY, SO OF COURSE OUR PAVEMENT CAN LAST LONGER.

WE´LL ALSO BE FOCUSED ON FINISHING OUR PAVEMENT ALONG THE HIGHWAY, INCLUDES PAVING MULTIPLE SECTIONS IN BOTH THE EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND LANES.

WE´LL BE DOING OUR STRIPING, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE OUR HIGHWAY IS SAFE.

AND FINALLY, RESIDENTS OF ST. CROIX, I AM PLEASED TO TELL YOU WE WILL BE CONTINUING WITH YOUR INSTALLATION OF NEW STREET LIGHT POLES.

I KNOW I LOT OF YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING WHEN WILL THE HIGHWAY BE LIT UP?

THIS IS OUR WAY OF LIGHTING UP THE HIGHWAY.

WE´LL BE INSTALLING NEW POLES, DOING REHABILITATION TO THE EXISTING ONES.

WE JUST NEED TO PUT ON LIGHT HEADS.

AND OF COURSE WE´LL BE ENERGIZING OUR STREET LIGHTS.

IN THE MONTH OF APRIL, YOU WILL SEE LIGHTS ON THE HIGHWAY.

BRIGHTER DAYS AND NIGHTS.

>> REPAIRS ALONG THE HIGHWAY ALSO CONTINUE IN THE CLIFTON HILL AREA.

THAT PROJECT WILL WIDEN THE ROADWAY, ALLOWING FOR THE ADDITION OF DEDICATED RIGHT TURN LANES TO EASE CONGESTION.

THIS PROJECT IS ON TRACK TO COMPLETE BEFORE THE END OF SUMMER 2023.

>>> RESTORATION OF THE TERRITORY´S PARKS CONTINUES WITH ONGOING CONSTRUCTION AT THE JOSEPH R. BAIN AND EMIL GRIFFITH PARK AS WELL AS THE START OF CONSTRUCTION AT THE -- PARK ON ST. THOMAS.

SPORTS PARKS AND RECREATIONS COMMISSIONER WHITE IS ON SITE WITH MORE.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, THE FENCEWORK HAS ALREADY STARTED TO GO UP.

ONE OF THE MAJOR SPOKES OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE TO REPLACE THE PERIMETER FENCING AROUND THE FACILITY.

AS YOU LOOK ABOVE, WE ARE GOING TO BE CHANGING ALL OF THESE LIGHT POLES WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLING THE LED LIGHTS.

ONE OF THE -- THAT WE´RE GOING TO BE DOING AT ALL OF OUR FACILITIES.

SOME EXTRA WORK WE´RE GOING TO DO BE DOING, MINOR WORK AT THE RESTROOM FACILITY, AND ALSO SOME ROOFING WORK UNDER THE BLEACHER.

SCOREBOARD AND SIGN, THOSE TWO WILL BE REPLACED WHERE YOU WILL SEE A BRAND-NEW SIGN DISPLAYING THE NAME OF THE BALL FIELD.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT, AS WE GET IT FINISHED AND COMPLETED TO RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> CARIBBEAN CONTRACTING SERVICES IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE $641,000 PROJECT BEFORE THE END OF SUMMER 2023.

>>> CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY TO BUILD THE FIRST NEW SCHOOL IN DECADES ON ST. CROIX.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HELD A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY IN FEBRUARY 2023, SIGNALING THE START OF WORK AT THE FORMER EDWIN WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE.

GOVERNOR BRIAN, COMMISSIONER -- DELEGATE TO CONGRESS STACEY PLASKETT, SENATORS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CAME OUT TO VIEW THE TURNING OF THE DIRT AND COMMEMORATE THE START OF THE LONG-AWAITED PROJECT.

THE DIRECTOR SPOKE ON THE RECENT PROJECT APPROVALS FOR THE TERRITORY´S SCHOOLS.

>> I WANT TO THANK CONGRESS FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT THAT ALLOWS US TO REBUILD TO INDUSTRY STANDARD.

I ALSO WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF PARTNERS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO GET US TO THIS POINT WHERE THIS WILL NOT ONLY HAPPEN ON THIS SCHOOL, BUT IT WOULD ALSO HAPPEN ON A NUMBER OF OTHER SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE GOTTEN THE DECISION FROM FEMA TO REBUILD SEVEN SCHOOLS, ONE OF THEM THAT I´M REALLY PROUD ABOUT IS THE CLAUDE OMARCO SCHOOL IN FREDERICK BAY.

FULL REPLACEMENT.

THE FULL REPLACEMENT OF THOSE SCHOOLS MEAN THAT EVERY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE TO A STANDARD THAT ANY ONE OF US WILL BE HAPPY TO SEND OUR CHILDREN TO.

>> THE DIRECTOR SHARED WITH ATTENDEES PLANS FOR NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.

>> OUR SCHOOLS ARE OVER 40 YEARS OLD.

AND ALL RESEARCH SAYS THAT THE LIFE CYCLE OF A SCHOOL IS 40 YEARS.

SO, WHEN WE BUILD TODAY, WE HAVE TO BUILD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE SITES ARE GOING TO BE AROUND FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN OUR DESIGN WE INCLUDE EVERYTHING THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL NEED.

WE ARE TRANSFORMING TODAY´S LEARNERS INTO TOMORROW´S LEADERS.

THIS TRANSFORMATION INVOLVES US IMPROVING OUR LEARNING SPACES TO MORE CONDUCIVE SPACES FOR WHICH CHILDREN CAN DO INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING, EXPLORATORY LEARNING, AND MANY MORE ACTIVITIES INSIDE AND OUT.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO GAVE COMMENTS.

>> WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO.

SO, TODAY, AS WE DIG THIS EARTH, LET´S MAKE A SOLID PROMISE TO OURSELVES THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT MOVES THIS PLACE FORWARD.

>> CONTRACTOR MCM BUILD IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN 2025.

IN SEPTEMBER 2022, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BROKE GROUND ON A $3.7 MILLION PROJECT TO REBUILD THE BUILDING ON ST. THOMAS.

NOW THE DEPARTMENT IS READY TO START REPAIR FRS A NEW STATE OF THE ART WHITT FACILITY ON ST. CROIX.

COMMISSIONER -- TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE $714,000 PROJECT IN THE HEART OF FREDERICK´S BAY.

>> SO, WE´RE FOCUSING ON SPECIFIC AREAS.

WE´RE FOCUSING ON EXPANSION OF THE DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY´S EAGER TO SEE HOW THAT COMES OUT.

WE´RE ALSO LOOKING AT LOOKING AT THE AIR DUCTS, THE SYSTEM, AND HAVING A COMPLETELY NEW SYSTEM PUT IN PLACE, NEW CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.

OPEN CONCEPT -- THAT´S A BIG THING NOW IN DESIGN, LOOKING AT OPEN CONCEPT.

WE´RE DOING IT SO THAT WE HAVE OFFICE SPACE THAT IS MORE OPEN, MORE MODERN.

WE´RE LOOKING AT HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENT CHILDREN SO THAT WHEN CHILDREN COME IN, THEY´RE MORE EXCITED.

WHEN PARENTS COME IN, NOT JUST MOTHERS, BUT MOTHERS AND FATHERS COME IN, THEY´RE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE´RE WORKING WITH AS WELL.

WE´RE LOOKING AT THE LED LIGHTING SO THAT IT´S MORE OF AN EFFICIENT WAY OF PROCESSING OUR LIGHTING, OF CONSERVING ENERGY.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE REPAIRS BEFORE THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2023.

>>> THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT, OUTLINING THE EVOLUTION OF FIVE YEARS OF RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM THE DEVASTATING HURRICANES OF 2017.

THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE ADVANCEMENT OF POLICY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, AND THE PROGRESSION OF PROJECTS.

LEADERS WILL FIND A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE TERRITORY´S SUCCESSES FROM A FIVE-YEAR PROSPECTIVE.

A LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.

YOU CAN VIEW THE 2022 REPORT AND PREVIOUS YEARS ELECTRONICALLY AT WW.USBIODR.COM.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE ODR WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS IS REQUESTING PROPOSAL FROM QUALIFIED AND LICENSED CONTRACTORS FOR THEIR WORLD REPAIR PROJECT.

AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS SEEKING QUALIFIED RESPONDENTS FOR ITS PARTICIPATION FOR THE ST. CROIX CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND -- HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ON ST. THOMAS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO WWW.USDIODR.COM.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

>>> JOINING ME ON THE SET IS MR. DOUG COOK, CEO OF THE FRANCISCO LOUIE HOSPITAL, AND MR. DALLAS MILES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL REDIRECT TEAM.

AND WE ALSO SPOKE TO -- SHARE WITH US HER VISION AND THE STATUS OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN DISTRICT.

GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT´S AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US BECAUSE I THINK YOU´RE ON THE TIPS OF THE TONGUE OF EVERYONE HERE, ESPECIALLY ON ST. CROIX.

AND A SPECIAL WELCOME TO YOU, CEO COOK, WHO HAS JOINED US IN TAKING ON THIS AUDACIOUS BUT EXCITING CHALLENGE OF REBUILDING THE HOSPITALS ON ST. CROIX ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS.

SO, TELL ME, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO ST. CROIX?

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

AND IT IS DEFINITELY AN AUDACIOUS GOAL.

WE HAVE A LOT TO ACCOMPLISH, AND WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM THAT´S MOVING ON TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

WHAT BROUGHT ME TO ST. CROIX, I GOT A CALL FROM A RECRUITER.

SO, I HAD MY CAREER MOSTLY IN WISCONSIN IN THE UPPER MIDWEST, SOUTH DAKOTA.

I STARTED MY CAREER AS AN X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST ORIGINALLY, DID THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND LOVED MEDICINE.

I ACTUALLY GREW UP ON A FAMILY FARM.

DIDN´T WANT TO BE A FARMER, SO I WENT TO HEALTH CARE.

I WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL, BECAME A TRAUMA NURSE.

DID THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BEFORE I GOT GUIDED INTO LEADERSHIP.

AND AGAIN, WORKING FOR ALL KINDS OF HOSPITALS, FOR PROFIT, TERTIARY MEDICAL CENTERS, ET CETERA, RURAL HEALTH CARE.

BUT THEN GOT A CALL FROM A RECRUIT TORE COME TO ST. CROIX.

SO, HAPPY TO BE HERE WORKING WITH SOME GREAT PEOPLE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON THESE PROJECTS.

>> I KNOW YOU GOT BAPTIZED BY FIRE BECAUSE WE´VE BEEN WORKING ON GETTING THIS TEMPORARY FACILITY.

YOU REALLY CAME IN TO WORK ON A HOSPITAL STRUCTURE THAT WAS NOT IN THE BEST HEALTH PHYSICALLY OR FINANCIALLY OR SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES THAT I KNOW THAT YOU´RE PRETTY MUCH WELL AWARE OF.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, RURAL HEALTH CARE IS STRUGGLING, RIGHT?

AND THE HIGHLANDS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT PAYER MIX, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE COST OF PERSONNEL AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ON THE ISLAND IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

SO, WHILE WE HAVE PLENTY OF CHALLENGES WORKING JUST DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, IT´S NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER HOSPITAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JUST THE PROBLEM IS MORE EXEMPLIFIED.

>> I DON´T KNOW IF I´M COMFORTED BY THAT, THAT THERE´S OTHER PEOPLE FEELING OUR PAIN, BUT I AM COMFORTED WITH THE FACT THAT YOU DON´T SEEM AFRAID TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE.

YOU´RE TAKING IT ON HEAD-ON.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I HAVE -- I GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO MY TEAM.

I´M WORKING WITH GREAT PEOPLE LIKE MR. SMALLS AND HIS TEAM AND ODR AND ALL THE -- YOU KNOW, OUR BOARD HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT SUPPORTIVE.

SO, WE HAVE THE RIGHT ASSETS IN PLACE.

WE JUST NEED TO NOW MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE THINGS FORWARD AND THAT WE GET INTO THIS TEMPORARY HOSPITAL BECAUSE IT´S -- IT´S BEEN TOO LONG.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, SPEAKING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AFRAID, YOU ARE HEADING UP THE TERRITORIAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM.

HOW DID THAT CONCEPT COME TO BE?

>> YES.

THANK YOU, AGAIN.

AFTER THE HURRICANES, WE LOOKED AT IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TERRITORY MOVING FORWARD.

HOW CAN WE RECONSTRUCT OR CONSTRUCT FACILITIES IN UNISON ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

SO, WE LOOKED AT DEVELOPING WHAT´S CALLED THE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM SO WE CAN STANDARDIZE ACROSS THE TEAM, MEANING OUR SYSTEMS WILL BE IDENTICAL.

MANY OF OUR MEDICAL SYSTEMS WITHIN THE FACILITY.

AND THAT´S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE´LL BE ABLE TO SHARE RESOURCES ACROSS THE TERRITORY, TALENT ACROSS THE RESOURCES.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT´LL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TERRITORY.

>> OF COURSE.

THAT MEANS IF YOU´RE MISSING A SCREW IN JFL, YOU CAN GET THE SAME SCREW FROM KEATING OR FROM SCHNEIDER AND BE ABLE TO SHARE RESOURCES.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THE WAY HOSPITAL DESIGNS, FACILITY DESIGNS ARE, IT WORKS WELL FOR STANDARDIZATION.

>> EXCELLENT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, LET´S JUMP RIGHT IN.

THERE´S AN 800-POUND ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

I KNOW RECENTLY WE HELD A RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE JFL NORTH ON ST. CROIX.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT YOU´RE WORKING TOWARDS MOVING IN BECAUSE IT´S NOT ONLY ABOUT THE RIBBON CUTTING.

IT´S ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO TRANSFER PATIENTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, HOW IS THAT COMING ALONG?

RECENTLY WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE PROJECTED MOVE-IN DATE FOR PATIENTS WILL BE DELAYED.

SO, WHAT WENT INTO THAT DECISION, YOU KNOW, AND HOW IS THE TEAM, THE LEADERSHIP TEAM, WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU.

GREAT QUESTION.

WHICH IS ON EVERYONE´S MIND, RIGHT?

SO, WE HAD A WONDERFUL RIBBON CUTTING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

AND WE DO THE OPEN HOUSE SO THAT THE COMMUNITY, WHO´S BEEN WAITING FOR JFL NORTH TO OPEN, GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IT.

NOW, WE DON´T WANT EVERY PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY COME OUT AND BE AN ER PATIENT OR BE A PATIENT IN JFL NORTH, SO WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE TIME TO SEE WHAT JFL NORTH IS.

AND IT´S TRULY A TREMENDOUS BUILDING.

WHEN YOU DRIVE BY IT, IT DOESN´T LOOK LIKE MUCH.

WHEN YOU JUST SEE THE END OF THE TRAILER.

BUT THE INTERCONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THEM REALLY LAYS OUT WHAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY FOR A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE.

NOW, WE HAD CHALLENGES, AND WE KNOW THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PATIENT SAFETY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

AND WE SAID THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OUR ENTIRE TEAM, THE MEDICAL STAFF, OUR BOARD, THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO MOVE INTO JFL NORTH UNTIL WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT PATIENT SAFETY IS NOT COMPROMISED.

WITH EVERY MOVE-IN, I´VE OFTEN CLAIMED HOSPITALS IN MY CAREER, AND THERE´S ALWAYS CHALLENGES.

THERE´S ALWAYS THINGS THAT COME UP AT THE LAST MINUTE.

YOU WANT TO WAIT AND DO YOUR FINAL TESTING BEFORE YOU MOVE IN.

AND SINCE WE ARE IN THAT PHASE OF THAT FINAL TESTING AND MOVE-IN, WE´VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES COME UP THAT WE NEED TO PAUSE AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THOSE SYSTEMS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY.

THOSE SYSTEMS INCLUDE -- WE´RE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH OUR CT SCANNER.

IT´S A SOFTWARE ISSUE WITH LICENSING.

SO, WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT WITH THE VENDOR.

WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A ELECTRONIC -- OR ELECTRIC TRANSFORMER THAT HAS NOT OPERATED THE WAY IT´S SUPPOSED TO, AND WE ARE REPLACING THAT.

AND WE HAD TWO OTHER ISSUES, ONE BEING A NURSE CALL SYSTEM AND OUR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

AGAIN, BOTH INSTALLED BUT NOT OPERATING TO THE WAY AND SPECIFICATIONS THAT IS LAID OUT.

SO, WE´RE TAKING A STEP BACK, LOOKING AT THOSE, MAKING SURE WE BRING IN THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN UNISON.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT YOU ENCOUNTER SOME CHALLENGES, BUT I THINK WHERE WE´RE GOING TO IS MUCH BETTER THAN WHERE WE´RE COMING FROM.

SO, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEATURES, THE AMOUNT OF ROOM THAT YOU HAVE, AND SOME OF THE UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES THAT WE HAVE IN JFL NORTH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN TERMS OF RADIOLOGY, THE CT THAT CEO COOK MENTIONED IS 128-SLICE CT, THE ONE AND ONLY ONE IN THE TERRITORY.

ONCE WE GET THAT SOFTWARE UPGRADE, WE´LL BE READY TO PERFORM ALL CTs FOR PATIENTS THAT COME IN.

WE HAVE ALL STATE OF THE ART WHAT WE CALL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, OUR MONITORING SYSTEM, OUR SPACE LAB SYSTEM, WHERE WE COULD CENTRALLY MONITOR ALL THE PATIENTS WITHIN THE FACILITY.

IN OUR MOTHER/BABY, OUR PEDIATRICS UNIT, WE HAVE WHAT´S CALLED GIRAFFES.

AGAIN, THE ONLY ONES IN THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE FOUR OF THESE FOR ANY NEONATAL CARE THAT COMES IN THE FACILITY.

YOU NAME IT.

EVERYTHING THAT´S IN JFL NORTH IS STATE OF THE ART, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS OPERATING TO THE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THAT ALL OUR STAFF ARE TRAINED, PROFICIENT, AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PATIENTS.

AND, AGAIN, OUR EMPHASIS IS PATIENT SAFETY, PATIENT SAFETY, PATIENT SAFETY.

>> PATIENT SAFETY.

SO, IF YOU´RE MOVING FROM ONE HOUSE TO THE NEXT HOUSE, IT TAKES A WHILE.

YOU HAVE TO PACK UP.

YOU´VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRAP YOUR GLASSES AND JUST MOVING HOUSE TO HOUSE.

I CAN´T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO MOVE A HOSPITAL INTO ANOTHER BUILDING.

SO, WHAT HAS GONE INTO PLANNING FOR THAT TRANSITION?

>> WELL, A LOT OF COORDINATION IS NUMBER ONE.

AND WE CAN´T THANK OUR TEAMS ENOUGH FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY´RE DOING IN COORDINATING THAT CARE.

SO, THINK ABOUT -- YOU TALKED ABOUT WRAPPING GLASSES, ET CETERA.

BUT, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO LEAVE A GLASS AVAILABLE, RIGHT, TO HAVE WATER WITH.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WE HAVE TO RUN DURING THAT TRANSITION, TWO EMERGENCY ROOMS.

WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE OPERATING ROOMS AVAILABLE DURING THIS TRANSITION PHASE.

SO, AS WE START TO MOVE EQUIPMENT OUT OF JFL MAIN TO JFL NORTH, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT STILL OPERATING AND RUNNING IN JFL MAIN TO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. CROIX.

SO, A LOT OF COORDINATION GOING INTO THIS, WORKING WITH OUTSIDE VENDORS.

WHEN WE MOVE EQUIPMENT -- A LOT OF OUR EQUIPMENT IS VERY SENSITIVE, RIGHT?

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT´S CALIBRATED CORRECTLY, AND SOME OF THAT CALIBRATION, CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH THE VENDOR.

SO, WE ARE COORDINATING WITH OUTSIDE VENDORS TO COME IN AND BE A PART OF THIS MOVE.

WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PATIENTS WHILE THEY ARE INPATIENTS.

MOVING THEM FROM ONE FACILITY TO ANOTHER FACILITY REQUIRES AN AMBULANCE RIDE, RIGHT?

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THERE SAFELY.

A LOT OF COORDINATION GOING ON WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES, MULL PL COMPANIES.

AND AGAIN, OUR ENTIRE JFL TEAM.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TRANSITION, ALTHOUGH YOU´RE MOVING SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT BEFOREHAND, THE ACTUAL PATIENT TRANSFER WILL HAPPEN IN A DAY.

SO, YOU WON´T BE STRADDLING FOR TOO LONG.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE -- WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC HAVE TO EXPECT?

>> SO, RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ANTICIPATE AT 7:00 A.M., AS CEO COOK MENTIONED, WE´RE GOING TO HAVE TWO EMERGENCY ROOMS OPERABLE.

SO, BASICALLY AT 6:59 A.M., THE LAST AMBULANCE WILL COME TO JFL.

AT 7:00 A.M., THAT FIRST AMBULANCE WILL THEN GO TO JFL NORTH.

ONCE WE OPEN UP OUR EMERGENCY ROOM, THEN WE WILL START TO TRANSFER ALL OF OUR MOST CRITICAL PATIENTS INTO THE FACILITY AND OUR LESS ACUTE PATIENTS WILL THEN TRANSFER THEREAFTER.

MUCH OF THAT -- A LOT OF THE EQUIPMENT IS ALREADY TRANSITIONED UP INTO JFL NORTH.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SYSTEMS OPERABLE IN BOTH SITES UNTIL WE ACTUALLY MOVE THE PATIENTS.

>> SO, WOULD ALL THE PATIENTS MOVE OVER, OR WOULD YOU KEEP SOME AND THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO BE DISCHARGED, WILL YOU KEEP SOME OF THEM IN THE JFL, THE REGULAR JFL, OR WOULD YOU MOVE ALL THE PATIENTS?

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW?

>> IT IS OUR GOAL -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE STAFF, RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE FACILITIES AND THOSE HOSPITALS IN BOTH TWO DIFFERENT AREAS.

SO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF STAFF, OUR GOAL -- OUR PLAN IS TO MOVE ALL PATIENTS WITHIN ONE DAY.

AND AS GERALD MENTIONED, THAT PROCESS WILL BEGIN IN THE MORNING, AND WE WILL TRANSITION THOSE PATIENTS ON A SCHEDULE.

BUT IT IS OUR GOAL TO MOVE THEM ALL SO THAT WE´RE IN ONE HOUSE AND WE ARE ALL TOGETHER, AND BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> OKAY.

YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE, AGAIN, IT´S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY, AND YOU HAVE PRETTY MUCH STOPPED TO CALIBRATE AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING´S PERFECT FOR THE MOVE.

SO, WHAT ARE WE PROJECTING NOW?

ORIGINALLY WITH THE END OF MARCH, WHERE ARE WE NOW BASED ON THE NEW OCCURRENCES THAT YOU´VE ENCOUNTERED?

>> YEAH, WITH OCCURRENCES THAT WE JUST MENTIONED A FEW MINUTES AGO, WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING TO CLEAR THOSE OFF AND WORKING WITH THE VENDORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RETESTING, WE´RE READY TO GO.

WE´RE LOOKING -- WE´RE PROJECTING THE END OF APRIL.

WE´VE ACTUALLY SET A DATE FOR APRIL 22nd TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION HAPPEN.

SO, AGAIN, MANY THINGS, STILL WORK TO BE DONE, BUT WE ARE PROJECTING THAT WE CAN HIT THAT DATE.

AND IF WE DECIDE WE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE AT THE LAST MINUTE, WE WILL ABSOLUTELY DO THAT, BUT ONLY FOR PATIENT SAFETY REASONS.

THERE IS NO WORK, NO STONE IS NOT BEING TURNED, TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS DATE HAPPEN.

BUT WE ALWAYS PUT PATIENT SAFETY FIRST.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK WITH US, THE BEST OF LUCK BECAUSE OF COURSE WE REALLY DEPEND ON YOUR SUCCESS.

BEFORE WE SHIFT TO JFL PERMANENT UPDATE, LET´S TAKE A MOMENT TO HEAR FROM A COUPLE OF NEW RESIDENTS OF THE TERRITORY WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF JFL.

AND THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> OKAY.

SO, FIRST I WANT TO PREFACE THIS THAT WE´RE FAIRLY NEW TO THE ISLAND, AND WE MOVED HERE IN NOVEMBER.

BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THERE WAS A LARGE SUM OF MONEY RECEIVED TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL, A VERY NICE STATE OF THE ART FACILITY.

AND ONCE THAT EVENTUALLY DOES GET BUILT, WHAT MY QUESTION IS, THERE´S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY THAT HAS TO BE PUT INTO MAINTAINING THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP IT GOING AND TO KEEP IT STRONG AND TO KEEP IT FROM GOING DOWNHILL.

AND WHAT IS THE PLAN TO KEEP THE FUNDS COMING IN AND TO MAINTAIN THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING?

>> SO, WE´RE SPECIFICALLY IN THE PROSTHETIC INDUSTRY.

THE THING WE´VE SEEN THE MOST IS JUST THE NEED FOR AN INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM OF SPECIFICALLY AFTER AN AMPUTATION, FROM WHAT WE´VE EXPERIENCED, BUT HAVING THOSE PATIENTS AFTER THEY GET AMPUTATED, HAVING THEM PUT RIGHT INTO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND REHAB SYSTEM RIGHT AWAY AND JUST KIND OF THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN GROUPS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY´RE TAKEN CARE OF AND NO ONE FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> WELL, YOU JUST HEARD THE QUESTION FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING MAINTENANCE AND ALSO SPECIFIC, YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD RUN INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFIC MEDICAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

SO, LET´S TACKLE IT PIECE BY PIECE.

MAINTENANCE, WHAT´S THE PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE OF THESE NEW FACILITIES?

>> WELL, COMING FROM MY BACKGROUND AS VP OF FACILITIES FOR HOSPITALS, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED FROM THE DAY WE OPEN OUR FACILITIES, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE SPARE PARTS AVAILABLE, MAKING SURE WE HAVE VENDORS LINED UP FOR SERVICE AGREEMENTS.

AND OF COURSE THE FUNDING IS KEY TO THAT.

AND THE FUNDING WILL COME WITH THE NEW HOSPITAL FACILITIES.

I´LL LET DOUG EXPLAIN THAT PIECE IN TERMS OF HOW THE FINANCES GO.

>> YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, FINANCING IN HEALTH CARE IS TRICKY, RIGHT?

THERE´S MULTIPLE SOURCES, THERE´S DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF.

BUT WE RELY -- THE HOSPITAL RELIES ON PARTIALLY CREATING ITS OWN REVENUE.

WE DO GET ALLOTMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENTS WHICH WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

BUT A LARGE PART OF OUR REVENUE AND FUNDING COMES FROM THE BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE.

SO, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A HOSPITAL IS CONTINUE TO WORK TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE MORE BUSINESS TO THE COMMUNITY OF ST. CROIX AND THUS THE FUNDING COMING BACK.

>> OKAY.

I´M SURE WITH ALL OF THE STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT THAT YOU WON´T HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE FINDING NEW BUSINESS.

WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER TECHNICAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE FOR PROSTHETICS IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED.

WHAT´S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> WELL, FIRST, EDUCATE CONSUMERS.

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR.

THEY´RE VERY WELL VERSED IN HEALTH CARE.

AND THAT´S WONDERFUL TO SEE.

BECAUSE WHAT WE KNOW AND SPECIFICALLY TO HIS QUESTION ABOUT PROSTHETICS IS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JFL CAN DO ON ITS OWN.

WE ARE A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, RIGHT?

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

AND AS A CONSUMER, YOU START THAT IN PREVENTIVE CARE, WHETHER THAT BE WITH A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN OR TAKING WELLNESS, TAKING CARE OF YOUR OWN BODY AND HEALTH.

THAT IS THE BEGINNING STEP.

IF YOU NEED EMERGENT OR URGENT CARE, THERE ARE THOSE SERVICES AVAILABLE.

AND THEN WE PROVIDE THE INPATIENT CARE.

ONCE WE HAVE SURGERY, ONCE THE INPATIENT STAY IS DONE, WE THEN NEED TO MOVE INTO WHAT WE CALL POST ACUTE CARE.

AND THAT CAN BE HANDLED IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE OF THE WAYS IS BY HOME HEALTH SERVICES.

AND OTHER INTEGRATED SERVICES.

PHARMACIES ARE A BIG PART OF OUR INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SO, IT´S WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN THESE DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN FOR OUR CONSUMERS.

>> WONDERFUL.

OKAY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS PART OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM.

IT´S NOT EACH INSTITUTION BY ITSELF BUT AN OVERALL SYSTEM.

WELL, WE HAVE DISCUSSED HOSPITAL PROJECTS ON ST. CROIX.

LET´S MOVE TO ST. THOMAS TO START OUR CONVERSATION.

AND WE CAUGHT UP WITH CEO OF THE SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

SHE SHARED WITH US HER VISION.

>> MY VISION IS FOR SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER TO BE A TRUSTED PROVIDER OF HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MY TEAM AND I ARE FOCUSED ON ENSURING WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO CRITICAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS ON MAINTAINING HIGHEST LEVELS OF QUALITY ON THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE AND ON IMPROVING THE OVERALL PATIENT EXPERIENCE.

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INCLUDES NEW STATE OF THE ART HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ON BOTH ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN THAT ARE OUTFITTED WITH THE LATEST MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY.

ON ST. THOMAS, SCHNEIDER HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BE REBUILT TO ACCOMMODATE OUR VERY BUSY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES, GENERAL ORTHOPEDIC, AND OTHER SPECIALTY SURGERY SERVICES, CARDIOLOGY AND PULMONOLOGY SERVICES, AND A WIDE RANGE OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES, INCLUDING LAB, RADIOLOGY, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.

IN THE MEANTIME, UNTIL THAT CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TEMPORARY REPAIRS TO OUR CURRENT HOSPITAL SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE AND ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR PATIENTS.

EVEN BEFORE GETTING OUR NEW FACILITY, WHICH WILL BE SEVERAL YEARS AWAY, WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD WITH OUR VISION FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO CRITICAL SERVICES BY REINTRODUCING INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, GASTROENTOLOGY, AND OTHER SERVICE LINES.

EVEN WITH THE DAMAGE SEEN TO OUR FACILITY, WHEN OUR HEALTH SYSTEM WAS SURVEYED FOR REACCREDITATION BY THE JOINT COMMISSION THIS YEAR, WE DID EXCEPTIONALLY WELL AT DEMONSTRATING THAT WE GIVE SAFE CARE THAT IS AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN THE CARE OR SERVICE YOU WOULD RECEIVE ANYWHERE ON THE MAINLAND.

OUR TEAM INCLUDES HIGHLY SKILLED, U.S.-TRAINED, BOARD CERTIFIED DOCTORS, NURSES, AND TECHNICIANS WHO CARE ABOUT OUR PATIENTS AND ABOUT DELIVERING THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE VIRGIN ISLANDERS TO GET THEIR CARE AT HOME AT SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

WE HAVE A GREAT HOSPITAL AND A GREAT CENTER, A VERY, VERY TALENTED TEAM WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUR HOSPITAL AND UNITED WITH A SINGULAR FOCUS, THE PATIENT AND DOING WHAT´S BEST FOR THE PATIENT.

I THANK OUR STAFF FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE HEARD IT.

THAT´S THE VISION FOR THE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ON ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN.

I HEARD THE CEO ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET THEIR HEALTH CARE NEEDS HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

SO, YOU´RE THE MAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FACILITIES STAY INTACT.

AND I KNOW YOU DID A LOT OF WORK AFTER THE STORMS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH ROY SCHNEIDER HOSPITAL.

BUT YOU´RE STILL WORKING ON GETTING -- WE´VE GOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE HOSPITAL ON ST. THOMAS.

WHERE ARE WE?

WHAT IS YOUR TEAM DOING TO FACILITATE FROM THE REPLACEMENT ALL THE WAY TO CONSTRUCTION?

>> WELL, AS YOU SAID THE SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS -- TO DATE WE HAVE RECEIVED THE FIXED COST OFFER FOR THE CHARLOTTE CANCER CENTER, WHICH WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE DEMOLITION PHASE.

AND WE WILL SOON BEGIN WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE.

AND ONCE THAT CONTRACT IS AWARDED, WE ARE LOOKING AT 12 MONTHS AFTER THAT FOR THE COMPLETION OF THAT WORK EFFORT.

>> SO WE´RE GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE HAMMERS SWINGING OVER THERE.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER.

WHAT´S GOING ON THERE?

I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST FACILE TOY TO ACTUALLY GET A REPLACEMENT.

WHAT WENT INTO THAT DISCUSSION WITH FEMA, AND WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, THE GOOD THING IS THAT WE´VE COMPLETED THE PROCESS, AND WE´RE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING A REPLACEMENT.

IT TOOK A LONG, ARDUOUS TASK WORKING BACK AND FORTH WITH FEMA, BUT WE ALL FINALLY CAME TOGETHER AND HAD A CONSENSUS THAT THE ROY L. SCHNEIDER HOSPITAL WILL BE A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT.

THE CHALLENGE IS ONCE WE WORK WITH FEMA TO ARRIVE AT THE FIXED COST OFFER, WE WILL BEGIN THE DESIGN PHASE FOR THE NEW FACILITY.

WE´RE LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE CAMPUS AND SEEING HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT A NEW HOSPITAL ON THE CAMPUS, THEN TRANSITION INTO THAT NEW FACILITY, AND THEN DEMOLISH THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AT THE END OF THAT PHASE OF WORK.

YES, IT´S A CHALLENGE, BUT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY, JUST AS WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE HOSPITALS ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT DEMOLISHING, AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE ASK, WELL, DOES THAT MEAN YOU´RE GOING TO RAISE THE ENTIRE BUILDING?

WHAT IS SOME OF THE PLANS FOR PROVIDING HEALTH CARE AT THE SAME TIME WHILE YOU´RE RECONSTRUCTING?

I´M GOING TO ASK THE SAME THING ON THE ST. CROIX SIDE BECAUSE THAT IS A CHALLENGE.

YOU WILL BE ON ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITES WITH THESE HOSPITALS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, AS WE SAID, THE FIRST THING IS WE HAVE TO CONSTRUCT A MECHANICAL BUILDING, AND THEN WE´LL START TO CONSTRUCT THE FACILITY.

YOU TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE DO THE DEMOLITION?

THERE´S NO WRECKING BALL THAT WILL COME THROUGH.

WE SEND CREWS IN, THEY DO THE DEMOLITION ON THE INTERIOR, AND THEN WE START TO SKIN IT BACK TO JUST THE SLAB AND THE FRAMING OF THE BUILDING, AFTER WHICH THEN WE COULD THEN TAKE IT DOWN FLOOR BY FLOOR.

DURING THAT PROCESS, THOUGH, WE WOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE NEW HOSPITAL, MOVED ALL OUR PATIENTS, BECOME 100% OPERATIONAL IN THE NEW HOSPITAL, AND THEN BEGIN THAT DEMOLITION PHASE.

CAN IT BE DONE?

ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE´RE EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD WORKING WITH OUR ARCHITECTS TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS FEAT.

>> OKAY.

WELL, YOU SOUND LIKE YOU´VE GOT A PLAN.

IT´S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN.

I KNOW YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT CHARLOTTE AND CANCER PATIENTS IN THE TERRITORY HAVEN´T HAD ACCESS TO ONCOLOGY CARE SINCE MARIA DAMAGED THE FACILITY.

SO, IN JUNE 2022, FEMA OBLIGATED $50 MILLION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CHARLOTTE KIMMELMAN CANCER INSTITUTE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FUNDS TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT´S A REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL PROJECT.

AND WE ASKED THE COMMISSIONER -- I GOT MY TONGUE ALL TIED UP -- AND SHE HAS SOME KEY THINGS SHE WANTED TO SAY ABOUT THAT PROJECT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> CHARLOTTE KIMMELMAN CANCER INSTITUTE IS A MOST VALUABLE ASSET, NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN DISTRICT BUT TO THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN REGION.

PROVIDED ACCESS WITHIN THE TERRITORY TO LIFE SAVING TREATMENT, INCLUDING RADIATION/ONCOLOGY.

WE ARE WORKING AS FAST AS WE CAN TO GET BACK OPEN SO THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO GET TO CARE AND TO BE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILY TO OBTAIN CANCER TREATMENT.

AS CEO FOR SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, I LOOK FORWARD TO US BEING BACK ONLINE SO WE CAN RESUME PROVIDING THESE IMPORTANT SERVICES AND SO OUR PATIENTS CAN RETURN TO RECEIVING CARE IN COMFORTABLE AND FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

WE HAVE PRIORITIZED CKCI AS OUR FIRST PROJECT, AS WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GET RADIATION/ONCOLOGY SERVICES BACK AVAILABLE WITHIN THE TERRITORY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM ON THE REDESIGN OF THAT FACILITY AND ON THE PROGRAMMING FOR THE HOSPITAL AND CANCER CENTER OF THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE ALREADY ENGAGED IN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING FIRM AND COMPLETED THE INTERIOR DEMOLITION FOR THIS INSTITUTE.

WE HAVE DRAFTED AMAZING PLANS FOR THE REBUILDING OF A STATE OF THE ART CHARLOTTE KIMMELMAN CANCER INSTITUTE.

BUT THE DOORS MAY BE PHYSICALLY CLOSED, WE STILL DO OFFER A NUMBER OF SERVICES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY OFFERED AT CKCI TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MEDICAL ONCOLOGISTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP CHEMOTHERAPY AVAILABLE ON THE ISLAND.

AND WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFUSION THERAPY AND COMPRESSION GARMENT AND SPECIALTY GARMENT FITTING SERVICES AT ROY SCHNEIDER HOSPITAL.

WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED TO RESUME THESE VERY IMPORTANT CANCER CARE SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE OF VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WELL, WE SEE THAT YOU´RE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS HAPPEN AND CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

AND, YOU KNOW, I´M GLAD THAT WE´RE ABLE TO SHOW THAT YOU´VE RECEIVED OBLIGATION OF # $50 MILLION BUT YOU ALREADY STARTED WORKING.

SO, WE´VE HEARD THAT THE DEMOLITION IS PRETTY MUCH COMPLETED, AND SELECTIVE DEMOLITION, BECAUSE YOU DIDN´T KNOCK THE HOLD BUILDING DOWN.

>> THAT´S CORRECT.

>> NOW, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET CONSTRUCTION GOING?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE´RE LOOKING AT ADVERTISING FOR BID IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.

WE HOPE TO SELECT THE CONTRACTOR BY MAY.

AND HOPEFULLY BY JUNE OF THIS SUMMER, 2023, WE BEGIN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARLOTTE IMMELMAN CANCER INSTITUTE.

>> MY TEAM IS LISTENING TO YOU SAY HOPEFULLY.

ARE YOU HOPING?

HOW CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN STAY ON THAT TRACK FOR THAT?

>> I´M PRETTY CONFIDENT.

AND THE REASON I SAY HOPEFUL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ACROSS THE TERRITORY, YOU KNOW, WE´RE PART OF A RECOVERY LEADER TEAM.

WE´RE FACING WITH CONTRACTORS THE AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACTORS AND THE WORKFORCE THAT WE WILL NEED FOR REBUILDING ACROSS THIS ENTIRE TERRITORY, NOT JUST THE HOSPITALS, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THAT´S WHY WE CONTINUE TO MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE TERRITORY AS WELL AS THOSE THAT WILL HAVE TO COME FROM ABROAD.

>> LET´S BET SOME COOKIES.

YOU´RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS GETTING CONTRACTORS.

I SUSPECT THERE ARE A LOT OF CONTRACTORS WAITING FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND BEING ABLE TO BID ON THOSE.

SO, IF THAT´S WHAT YOU´RE HOPING ON, THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO TAKE THE BET?

>> THE BET IS ON.

>> BET IS ON.

BET IS ALL ON.

WE´RE WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST BECAUSE OF COURSE YOUR SUCCESS MEANS THE SUCCESS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND KEEPING THAT PROJECT ON TRACK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WE SALUTE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, AND WE SEND YOU BEST WISHES TO KEEP THIS PROJECT MOVING NOT ONLY FOR THE CANCER PATIENTS BUT JUST OVERALL FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE TERRITORY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE COULDN´T CLOSE OUT THE SHOW WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT MARY KEATING ON ST. JOHN.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT THAT FACILITY MEANS AS WELL TO THE SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER COMMUNITY.

>> ON ST. JOHN, OUR MYRA KEATING SMITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED DURING THE HURRICANE, AND WE HAD TO RELOCATE OUR SERVICES TO A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE.

WE HAVE MAINTAINED PROVIDING NOT ONLY 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE BUT A WIDE RANGE OF IMPORTANT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND WELLNESS SERVICES.

WE WANT TO EXPAND THE SPECIALTY SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT MYRA KEATING SMITH, BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY LIMITED WITH SPACE, AS WE ARE OPERATING OUT OF A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE.

WHEN WE BUILD THE NEW MYRA KEATING SMITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER FACILITY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY SERVICES AT THE CLINIC SO ST. JOANIANS WON´T HAVE TO TRAVEL AS MUCH TO ACCESS PROVIDERS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT TEAM ON DEVELOPING THE NEW PERMANENT STRUCTURE FOR MYRA KEATING SMITH IN THE EARLY PART OF 2024.

IN THE INTERIM, WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR PERSONS ON ST. JOHN, AND WE´RE CURRENTLY INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT OUR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS AT MYRA KEATING SMITH WITH OUR PROVIDERS AT ROY SCHNEIDER HOSPITAL AND TO PATIENTS IN THE STATES TO REDUCE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PATIENTS TO TRAVEL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, ST. JOHN WILL NOT BE DENIED.

I KNOW WE´VE BEEN WORKING ON GETTING THE COST AGREED UPON WITH FEMA, AND DESIGN SHOULD BE STARTED.

SO, WHERE ARE YOU EXACTLY NOW?

AND HOW ARE YOU?

>> YES.

WE JUST GOT THE GOOD NEWS WITH FEMA.

I ACTUALLY SIGNED OFF ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT WE´RE PROJECTING WILL BE AWARDED FOR MYRA KEATING SMITH.

ONCE THAT FINAL AWARD IS PRESENTED, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE POST HASTE ON THE DEVELOPING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

I´VE ALREADY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE ARCHITECT OF RECORD TO GET THE BALL ROLLING.

SO, WE´RE ALL EXCITED AND READY AND RARING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MYRA KEATING SMITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.

>> HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MYRA KEATING?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE´RE LOOKING AT ABOUT AN 18- TO 24-MONTH CYCLE FOR MYRA KEATING SMITH.

AS WE KNOW, MUCH OF THE WORK FORCE AS WELL AS ALL OF THE BUILDING PRODUCTS WILL HAVE TO COME, BE SHIPPED INTO THE EYE LAND OF ST. JOHN.

FIRST WE´RE GOING TO START WITH THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.

AND THEN OF COURSE WE´RE GOING TO BUILD A BRAND-NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITY THERE ON THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN.

>> ARE WE LOOKING AT SELECTIVE DEMOLITION AGAIN?

>> NO, ST. JOHN -- NO WRECKING BALL.

BUT, JESS, ST. JOHN WILL BE DEMOLISHED.

THERE´S BEEN INHERENT CHALLENGES WITH THE FOUNDATION.

AND AS SUCH, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY -- AND AGAIN, I HAVE TO EMPHASIZE, THE TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM, WE LOOK FORWARD TO INTEGRATING ALL OF OUR FACILITIES, MAKING SURE THAT AS I THINK WE HEARD EARLIER, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONER ABOUT SCHOOLS, 40 YEARS.

HOSPITALS LOOK AT AT LEAST 50 YEARS WITH MAINTENANCE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE´RE BUILDING STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES UP TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

ST. CROIX?

>> AGAIN, IT´S SELECTIVE.

WE´LL GO IN AND DEMOLISH FROM THE INTERIOR, AND THEN WE´LL BEGIN WITH THE TAKING THE BUILDING DOWN FLOOR BY FLOOR.

>> TAKING THE BUILDING DOWN FLOOR BY FLOOR.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU HEAR THAT?

ARE YOU EXCITED?

>> WELL, PUT MY PERSONAL COMMENTS ASIDE.

BUT I THINK THERE´S PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD LIKE TO USE DYNAMITE.

SO, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE VERY EXCITED, YOU KNOW, FOR THIS PROCESS TO BEGIN.

AGAIN, AS WE -- EXCITING TIMES, AS WE TALKED EARLIER.

TO MOVE NORTH TO TEMPORARY FACILITY, TO SEE FORMER JFL MAIN COME DOWN.

WE´RE ON ONE CAMPUS.

IT´S A TIGHT CAMPUS TO.

SEE THE RISING OF A BRAND-NEW REPLACEMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND TIME TO GO THROUGH.

>> YES.

AND I KNOW THAT WE´VE LEARNED SOME VERY HARD LESSONS FROM JFL NORTH.

YOU WERE NOT A PART OF THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FACILITY, BUT YOU HAD TO COME IN AND TRY TO FIX A LOT THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH IT.

AND WE´RE AT THIS POINT, SO I SAY THAT TO SAY THIS.

WE DON´T EXPECT THAT WE´LL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.

WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT NOT THE SAME ONES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE DON´T FORESEE THAT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I´VE ALREADY ENGAGED ALL THREE ARCHITECTS OF RECORD WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MYRA KEATING SMITH AS WELL AS SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AS WELL AS THE JFL HOSPITAL HERE ON ST. CROIX.

AND WE´RE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY GOING -- LOOKING AT LESSONS LEARNED, WHAT WORKS?

WHAT ARE THE BEST -- WHAT´S GOING TO BE THE BEST IMPLEMENTATION OF FACILITIES, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND MAKING SURE THAT, YES, NOT ONLY ARE WE BUILDING STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES, BUT THEY´RE RESILIENT AND BEING ABLE TO WITHSTAND CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES AND GREATER.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT THAT´S IN THE FA FACILITY.

AND I THINK THAT´S THE MOST -- FROM THE OUTSIDE YOU CAN´T TELL MUCH.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE CT SCANNER.

YOU REMEMBER YEARS AGO WHEN SOMEONE EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT SLICES MEANT.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE HAVING THE MOST AMOUNT OF SLICES, AND WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN FOR CT SCANNERS?

AND WHAT´S THE ROLE IT PLAYS IN DIAGNOSING ILLNESSES?

>> YEAH.

GREAT QUESTION.

AND WE COULD SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON IT.

I ACTUALLY HAVE AN IMAGING BACKGROUND.

SO, I´M A LITTLE BIT FAMILIAR WITH BEING ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SLICES, WE´RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT TAKING A PICTURE BASICALLY HORIZONTALLY THROUGH YOUR BODY.

AND THE CURRENT SLICE SCANNER THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IS A 64-SLICE CT SCANNER.

NOW WE MOVE TO 128.

THE INDUSTRY, THEY MOVED TO 256.

THEY HAVE 512s OUT, AND THEY´RE MOVING ON PAST THAT.

WHAT WE´RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE MOVE IN DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF SLICES, WHAT WE HAVE, WE´RE E REALLY DECREASING THE TIME IT TAKES TO SCAN THAT PORTION OF THE BODY.

EVEN THOUGH I KNOW WHEN YOU GO INTO A CT SCANNER, YOU THINK YOU´RE LAYING VERY STILL, BUT YOUR LUNGS ARE MOVING, YOUR HEART IS PUMPING, YOUR GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM IS MOVING.

THE FASTER WE CAN TAKE THAT PICTURE AND DECREASE THAT MOTION, THE MORE CLEAR OF A PICTURE WE CAN GET FOR OUR RADIOLOGIST AND OUR SPECIALIST TO INTERPRET WHAT´S GOING ON INSIDE YOUR BODY.

>> THE FACT THAT WE CAN STILL BE COMPETITIVE AND HAVE THAT LEVEL OF EQUIPMENT HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

TO DO JUST LIKE CEO -- SAID FOR PEOPLE TO GET THEIR HEALTH CARE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WELL, WE ALSO CAPTURED FINAL COMMENTS FROM THE CEO WHILE VISITING THE HOSPITAL ON ST. THOMAS.

AND HERE´S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> OUR FACILITIES EXPERIENCED EXTREME DAMAGE DURING HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA.

OUR FACILITY´S DEPARTMENT TEAM HAS DONE AND CONTINUES TO DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PERFORMING TEMPORARY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO OUR HOSPITAL AND MYRA KEATING SMITH SFALTIES.

WE HAVE COMPLETED TEMPORARY REPAIRS TO OUR ROOF AND MOST PATIENT CARE SPACES SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MOST OF THE SERVICES WE DID PRESTORM.

UNFORTUNATELY NOW WE HAVE LESS SPACE AVAILABLE TO US FOR PATIENT CARE ACTIVITIES.

THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE STORM AND COVID ALSO HAD SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON OUR STAFFING, AND WE´VE LOST A LOT OF OUR PERMANENT NURSES AND SOME OF OOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

AS WE REBUILD OUR FACILITIES, WE HAVE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY FOCUS ON RECRUITING EXCELLENT NURSES AND TECHNOLOGISTS TO JOIN OR REJOIN OUR TEAM.

IF YOU ARE A NURSE OR KNOW A NURSE, ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN THE SRMC TEAM.

WE HAVE IMPROVED OUR COMPUTATION PACKAGE.

WE´RE NOW MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE AND ATTRACTIVE.

AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BRING HOME VIRREN ISLANDERS TO WORK WITH US AND HELP TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A VERY TALENTED WORK FORCE AT SCHNEIDER REGIONAL.

ALL OF OUR CAREGIVERS -- OUR EMPLOYEES ARE TRULY THE CORE OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THEY WORK TOGETHER EVERY DAY TOWARDS OUR COMMON GOAL OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND CREATING THE BEST PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE.

OUR DOCTORS, NURSES, ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND ENTIRE STAFF ARE AMAZING, AND I CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

>> WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF DEDICATED PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

TWO OF WHICH ARE SITTING RIGHT HERE WITH ME.

AND I REALLY WANT TO HEAR YOUR LAST THOUGHTS.

YOU KNOW, ANYTHING THAT YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE BEING AT THE TOP.

WE HEARD FROM CEO COMMISSION AND MR. SMALLS, RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING ALL THE HOSPITALS IN THE TERRITORY.

WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> I WANT TO SAY I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY, HAVING BEEN IN THE HEALTH CARE IN THE TERRITORY SINCE 1992 AND SEEING THAT DISCONNECT, BUT SEEING HOW WE WILL HAVE THE SYMMETRY BETWEEN ALL OF OUR FACILITIES, THE STANDARDIZATION.

I KNOW WE´VE KIND OF BEEN FOCUSING ON THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

BUT THEN YOU HAVE THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS THAT KEEP OUR FACILITIES ONGOING.

SO, AGAIN, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD STATE OF THE ART, RESILIENT HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> AWESOME.

THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW WE´RE REITING FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND CEO COOK RECENTLY -- HOW DO YOU FEEL?

WHAT´S YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> I THINK A COMMON WORD THAT WE´VE USED THROUGHOUT THIS SECTION IS OPPORTUNITY.

AND IT IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY NOT ONLY HERE IN ST. CROIX BUT FOR THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ALL THE PROJECTS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, CEO COMMISSION REALLY DID A GREAT JOB OF THANKING OUR TEAMS, RIGHT?

WE TALK OFTEN DAILY ABOUT THANKING THE HARDWORKING NURSES, DOCTORS, STAFF, TECHNOLOGISTS, ET CETERA, HOUSEKEEPERS, DIETITIANS, EVERYBODY THAT GOES INTO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

WE CAN´T THANK ENOUGH.

AND THEIR DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE IS OVERWHELMING, AND IT´S AMAZING, AND IT´S INSPIRING TO WATCH.

I WOULD SAY IN MY CLOSING COMMENT, I WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY.

WE HEAR STORIES, RIGHT?

WE HEAR COMMENTS, AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

BUT BY AND LARGE, THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE HOSPITAL IN ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN.

AND WE WANT TO -- I WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR PATIENCE, THEIR UNDERSTANDING, AND THEIR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, WE DON´T EXIST.

AND WE EXIST FOR THEM.

SO, IT IS OUR GOAL, IT IS OUR MISSION, IT IS OUR VISION, TO PROVIDE STATE OF THE ART CARE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> GREAT.

WELL, IT IS A GOAL THAT WE´RE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF AND WE´LL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT WE SEND LIGHT AND LOVE YOUR WAY TO GET THE JOB DONE.

BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, I WANT TO CONTINUE TO THANK OUR VIEWERS WHO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR INBOX DURING AND AFTER THE SHOW.

WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE MAINLAND HERE.

AND HERE´S WHAT MARTIN RHODEN ASKED.

I´M TRYING TO REACH OUT TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY PROGRAMS FOR HOMEOWNERS UNDERGOING HURRICANE MARIA HOME REPAIRS ON THE COAST.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING OUR HOME TO BE RATED FOR 250-MILE-PER-HOUR WINDS AND AREN´T SURE IF SOME OF THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED FOR THIS PURPOSE OR NOT.

IF SO, I´M NOT SURE WHERE TO START, AS OUR HOME GOT DESTROYED FOR FOUR YEARS BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET APPROVAL FOR REPAIRS.

THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT TO THE OFFICE OF DISASTER.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE FUNDS OBLIGATED TO THE USDI CAN ONLY BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

WE UNDERSTAND YOUR PLIGHT, AND SOME RESIDENTS ARE STILL AWAITING RECOVERY HERE AS WELL.

WHETHER YOU ARE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OR THE CONTINENTAL U.S., IF YOU´RE IN NEED OF SUPPORT TO REFURBISH OR VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM OR VIHFA FOR DETAILS ON THEIR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAM.

REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE RECOVERY, YOU CAN MESSAGE US ON ANY OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, OR EMAIL US AT INFO@USDIODR.COM.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR AN INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION, BUT WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING FUN.

YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE AT USDIODR.COM OR YOU CAN KEEP THIS DISCUSSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫♫ ♫♫ I HADN´T THOUGHT OF IT IN THAT WAY, THAT FOR ME, IS GOLD.

>> I LIKE TO BE ABLE TO LEAD THE VIEWER WITH SOME SORT OF EMOTION, WHETHER IT´S OUTRAGE, WHETHER IT´S SOMEONE OVERCOMING LONG ODDS, TELLING A BIG STORY THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL STORY.

>> WHAT MAKES THE NEWS HOUR DIFFERENT IS WE HAVE TIME TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE STORIES WE TELL, THE VOICES THAT WE INTEND TO ELEVATE.

>> I KNOW THE ROLE THAT GOOD JOURNALISM PLAYS IN MAKING ALL OF US FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER, AND HELPING ALL OF US UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I SEE THIS AS A SERVICE.

>> WEEKDAYS AT 7:00 P.M. AND WEEKENDS AT 6:00 P.M. FACE WEST.

VENUS WILL BE THAT DAZZLING SPOT FOLLOWING THE SUNSET.

YOU CAN´T MISS IT.

IF YOU IMAGINE A LINE THROUGH VENUS UP THROUGH THE SKY, YOU´LL COME ACROSS MARS.

AS MARS DROPS DOWN IN THE SKY, YOU´LL SEE THE GEMINI TWINS, CASTOR AND POLLOCK.

AND ON MARCH 29th, THEY´LL BE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MOON.

POLLOCK AND CASTOR MARK THE HEAD OF GEMINI, AND IF YOU HAVE A CREATIVE IMAGINATION, YOU CAN PICTURE THE TWINS STANDING IN THE STARS ARM IN ARM.

TWO TWINS, LOVE AND WAR, AND GEMINI IN THE SAME NIGHT.

KEEP LOOKING UP.

♫♫