The Virgin Islands Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2018, is excited to announce an open house for the VIHCF Renal Center on Friday, March 14, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This highly anticipated non-profit dialysis unit is located in the Sunny Isles Shopping Center Annex on St. Croix. After five years of dedication, the VIHCF Renal Center proudly began providing hemodialysis services on January 3, 2025.
This state-of-the-art, 13-chair dialysis unit is designed to serve up to 78 patients when at full capacity. The VIHCF Renal Center is dedicated to enhancing kidney health by offering comprehensive outpatient in-center hemodialysis, kidney disease management, and innovative telehealth services. We are committed to delivering exceptional care and improving our patients’ quality of life.
To bring this vision to life, VIHCF has partnered with Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI), the nation’s largest non-profit dialysis provider. Founded in 1971 by Dr. Keith Johnson in Nashville, TN, DCI was built on the same principle that guides us today ensuring that every patient has access to quality care, no matter the obstacles. When Dr. Johnson and his executive team visited St. Croix and St. Thomas in 2018, they were deeply moved by the plight of evacuees living in hotel rooms for over a year, unable to return home due to the lack of outpatient dialysis facilities. That visit ignited a partnership that has brought long-term benefits to the renal community in the Virgin Islands.
This partnership opens doors beyond in-center dialysis treatment with access to DCI’s nationwide network of dialysis clinics; patients can also travel to the mainland for leisure or specialized medical care, including transplants. For our dedicated healthcare professionals, this partnership will provide training, workshops, and career development opportunities, strengthening the foundation of dialysis care on our island.
But our mission extends beyond medical treatment. The new Renal Center will offer patients guidance through their complex healthcare journeys including access to support facilitated by a Nurse Manager, Dietitian, and Social Worker. We recognize that dialysis is more than just a procedure—it is a lifeline, and we are committed to supporting our patients in every possible way.
The generosity and determination of our community and patients who strongly advocated for a permanent dialysis unit have paved the road to making this dream a reality. We have made significant progress through grassroots fundraising, federal grants, and the unwavering support of Dr. Johnson and the DCI staff. Governor Albert Bryan’s approval of a $2 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) also allowed us to move forward.
We extend our gratitude to Governor Bryan and his administration, Dr. Keith Johnson and the compassionate team at DCI, the engineers and consultants who have given their time and expertise, and most importantly, the Dialysis Patients Advocacy Group for believing in this mission.
To our community, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. No matter the amount, every donation brought us one step closer to this opening. This is not just about healthcare; it is about giving people in our community the dignity, stability, and peace of mind they deserve. After all, fate is unpredictable, and anyone could one day rely on this life-saving treatment.
