The British Virgins Islands Medical Association
The British Virgins Islands Medical Association (B.V.I.M.A) has just recently been revived under the present leadership of Dr’s Harlan Vanterpool Craig Stoutt , Dexter Penn, Brandon Frett, Heskith Vanterpool, Mitchell Penn Shakima Stoutt-Vanterpool, Hubert O’neal, Vincent Scatliffe , Dawn Brewley and Omari Dawson. The Association has remained active since its inception more than 20 years ago, however, it has gone through varying challenges, including, low membership numbers. It is therefore the hope that with the current number of local physicians within the Territory, being the largest in years, a robust and active association may again be possible.
President of the association, Dr. Harlan Vanterpool, noted that the BVIMA like any other association requires strong leadership and membership in this current time to be effective. Therefore, for the first time in its history, the association would be open to all duly registered and actively practicing physicians within the territory. “My immediate goal as president of the association is to increase membership to at least thirty physicians and to actively raise the profile of the association.” “Clearly, the time has come to take a more proactive approach with regards to functioning of the BVIMA” Dr. Vanterpool noted.
The aims and purpose of the association as outlined by Dr. Vanterpool are as follows: “To promote the medical, dental and related arts and sciences within the territory as a unified body;To maintain the honour, and standards of the medical profession, while, promoting and protecting the interests of the medical professionals within the territory;To provide technical and other assistance aimed at improving the standard of medical care provided by both public and private medical facilities within the territory;Provision of assistance grants for students pursuing degrees in medicine and other allied health fields;To provide opportunities for continuing medical education and training to all members of the association.Provision of an avenue for the airing of grievance’s and concerns related to the practice of medicine within the territory and administer self-discipline for practitioners registered under the same;Promotion of the general health and wellbeingof the general populous of the B.V.Is.”
In order to achieve the goals of the association a number of initiatives and activities are slated to be staged throughout our current calendar year.The association has adopted as its theme for this calendar year the following slogan “Health and Well Being for All, We have got to make the Call.” We therefore, as an association will be embarking on a number of community out-reach efforts. We hope to partner with varying service organizations’ to achieve this and our intention is to start this drive with a health and wellness fair. Such efforts are critical when considering the ultimate goal of fostering a healthy community.
Our first annual fundraising gala and awards dinner is slated for the month of May, where five longstanding physicians who have served this community with unwavering fervour and dedication will be honoured. The association hopes to make this event a hallmark event in our annual calendar with the funds raised going toward our medical education assistance grant programme.
We have commenced our efforts to promote the medical and related arts by meeting with and having discussions with a group of students attending the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College. These students are currently enrolled in the sciences and other programmes at the college and a number of them have expressed an interest in pursuing medical or related careers. These students will be followed up by members of the association periodically to provide support and encouragement and even mentorship as they pursue their career choices.
Other initiatives being considered by the association include producing a television programme with a focus on health and wellbeing. This programme will draw heavily on the varying expertise and support services available within the territory.
When asked, where does he see the BVIs Medical Association in the next few years? Dr. Vanterpool responded, that he fully expects the BVI Medical Association to become a fixture within the medical community of the B.V.Is; and should provide technical, educational, legal and other support to the medical and wider community. I addition, he took the opportunity to again extend an invitation to all practicing physicians within the territory to join the B.V.Is Medical Association, as we seek to build together, a world class medical system.