06/02/2025
Eight years ago today, on February 6, 2017, Island Health & Wellness Center opened its doors with the mission of providing quality, compassionate, and affordable healthcare to the residents of St. John. With a significant portion of the island's population uninsured, we sought to fill the gap in accessible, affordable medical care. Looking back, I could have never predicted the overwhelming support and success, nor the challenges that would lie ahead for both the island and the world.
Just seven months after our opening, the USVI was devastated by two major hurricanes that left destruction in their wake. Our office was heavily damaged, but we managed to reopen just two months later in a larger location. The new office allowed us to offer more services, including a mental health program designed initially to help residents cope with the trauma caused by the hurricanes. This program has become a cornerstone of Island Health, providing essential support to patients with a wide range of mental health issues.
The global pandemic presented another unprecedented challenge for Island Health, St. John, and the world as a whole. We had to swiftly adapt our programs, policies, and procedures to safeguard the health of our patients and staff. Despite these changes, our core mission remained unchanged: to prioritize the health of our community and ensure continued access to affordable healthcare.
Our patient population has grown rapidly over the years, prompting us to hire an additional medical provider to accommodate the increasing demand. To my surprise, we even outgrew our “larger” space, and in January 2024, we expanded to an even bigger space to continue meeting the needs of our patients and the community. Over the past eight years, we've far surpassed our initial expectations, with more than 18,000 patient visits and no one ever being turned away or denied services due to an inability to pay.
A heartfelt thank you to all our generous donors who have supported our vision! Special thanks to our past and present staff, volunteers and Board of Directors for their hard work and dedication! Thank you to my husband, Bryan, and our son, Owen, who often bear the brunt of my job! Your support means the world to me.
Last, but not least, thank you to our patients and the St. John community for your trust and belief in our work. It has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to many more years of serving you.
-Sandy
(Nurse Practitioner/Director/Founder)
