To Our Community,
In recent years it has become almost second nature to speak critically about our local hospital, the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center. While no institution is perfect, I feel compelled to share a very different experience — one that deserves to be heard.
Over the course of three weeks, I accompanied a dear friend through the Emergency Room, into the Intensive Care Unit, and later onto the Medical-Surgical floor. My friend was facing stage four cancer. There was little expectation of recovery, but there was a profound need for comfort, dignity, and compassion during his final days.
However, what we experienced though, day after day, was extraordinary. Every doctor, nurse, assistant and staff member we encountered treated my friend — and all of us — with kindness, patience, and genuine care. This was not a single moment or a lucky shift. I was there almost daily, and the consistency of compassion and professionalism never wavered. Each interaction reflected not just competence, but humanity.
The staff created an environment where my friend felt safe, respected, and cared for. In a time filled with grief and uncertainty, they brought calm, comfort, and even moments of peace. They did not just provide medical care — they provided dignity at the end of life, which is one of the greatest gifts anyone can offer.
I even found myself telling several nurses that, in all those weeks, I had not encountered a single person who was unkind. That is truly something worth recognizing.
It is important for our community to hear stories like this. While criticism can be necessary, so too is acknowledgement of what is working — and working well. There are dedicated, compassionate professionals at the Governor Juan L. Luis Hospital and Medical Center who show up every day and give their best to our community.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
— Mary C. Mingus, St. Croix
