June 20, 2003- Students of Spanish at the University of the Virgin Islands will be able to spend a semester or a summer studying at the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico, beginning this fall.
UVI has entered into an exchange agreement with the university's Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies that also will allow for students at the Cuernavaca institution to study at UVI.
The program is the culmination of talks initiated two years ago by Violeta Donovan, UVI assistant professor of Spanish, with the president of Universidad Internacional, Javier Espinosa Romero, according to a UVI release..
Two students from Cuernavaca are expected to attend classes at UVI in the fall. UVI is seeking students interested in studying at the Mexican school. The exchange is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in another culture as well as to hone their skills in a second language, Donovan said. "It takes a special type of person, a person who is open and will venture out," she said.
At Universidad Internacional, students are expected to do most of their course work in Spanish, although English-language support is provided. "They are accustomed to addressing the needs of English-speaking students," Donovan said. "They have similar agreements with several other universities on the mainland."
She noted that the exchange program "is an option" for UVI students. "If you come to UVI and you are interested in really learning Spanish as a second language, this program is for you," she said. Those who will benefit the most, she said, "are students who really understand the importance of knowing a second language – and in this region Spanish is one of the languages that they should know."
According to Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, UVI provost, the university has several exchange agreements for students and faculty with mainland and regional schools, but this one is the first with a non-U.S. institution outside of the Caribbean.
The program is "a good example of how UVI is increasing diversity in the student population, as well as providing opportunities for our students to have extended learning experiences," UVI President LaVerne Ragster said.
The program is coordinated through the Humanities Division Modern Language Area. For more information, e-mail to Prof. Donovan or call her at 693-1349.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI, SCHOOL IN MEXICO BEGIN EXCHANGE PROGRAM
June 20, 2003- Students of Spanish at the University of the Virgin Islands will be able to spend a semester or a summer studying at the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico, beginning this fall.
UVI has entered into an exchange agreement with the university's Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies that also will allow for students at the Cuernavaca institution to study at UVI.
The program is the culmination of talks initiated two years ago by Violeta Donovan, UVI assistant professor of Spanish, with the president of Universidad Internacional, Javier Espinosa Romero, according to a UVI release..
Two students from Cuernavaca are expected to attend classes at UVI in the fall. UVI is seeking students interested in studying at the Mexican school. The exchange is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in another culture as well as to hone their skills in a second language, Donovan said. "It takes a special type of person, a person who is open and will venture out," she said.
At Universidad Internacional, students are expected to do most of their course work in Spanish, although English-language support is provided. "They are accustomed to addressing the needs of English-speaking students," Donovan said. "They have similar agreements with several other universities on the mainland."
She noted that the exchange program "is an option" for UVI students. "If you come to UVI and you are interested in really learning Spanish as a second language, this program is for you," she said. Those who will benefit the most, she said, "are students who really understand the importance of knowing a second language – and in this region Spanish is one of the languages that they should know."
According to Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, UVI provost, the university has several exchange agreements for students and faculty with mainland and regional schools, but this one is the first with a non-U.S. institution outside of the Caribbean.
The program is "a good example of how UVI is increasing diversity in the student population, as well as providing opportunities for our students to have extended learning experiences," UVI President LaVerne Ragster said.
The program is coordinated through the Humanities Division Modern Language Area. For more information, e-mail to Prof. Donovan or call her at 693-1349.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI has entered into an exchange agreement with the university's Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies that also will allow for students at the Cuernavaca institution to study at UVI.
The program is the culmination of talks initiated two years ago by Violeta Donovan, UVI assistant professor of Spanish, with the president of Universidad Internacional, Javier Espinosa Romero, according to a UVI release..
Two students from Cuernavaca are expected to attend classes at UVI in the fall. UVI is seeking students interested in studying at the Mexican school. The exchange is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in another culture as well as to hone their skills in a second language, Donovan said. "It takes a special type of person, a person who is open and will venture out," she said.
At Universidad Internacional, students are expected to do most of their course work in Spanish, although English-language support is provided. "They are accustomed to addressing the needs of English-speaking students," Donovan said. "They have similar agreements with several other universities on the mainland."
She noted that the exchange program "is an option" for UVI students. "If you come to UVI and you are interested in really learning Spanish as a second language, this program is for you," she said. Those who will benefit the most, she said, "are students who really understand the importance of knowing a second language – and in this region Spanish is one of the languages that they should know."
According to Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, UVI provost, the university has several exchange agreements for students and faculty with mainland and regional schools, but this one is the first with a non-U.S. institution outside of the Caribbean.
The program is "a good example of how UVI is increasing diversity in the student population, as well as providing opportunities for our students to have extended learning experiences," UVI President LaVerne Ragster said.
The program is coordinated through the Humanities Division Modern Language Area. For more information, e-mail to Prof. Donovan or call her at 693-1349.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI, SCHOOL IN MEXICO BEGIN EXCHANGE PROGRAM
June 20, 2003- Students of Spanish at the University of the Virgin Islands will be able to spend a semester or a summer studying at the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico, beginning this fall.
UVI has entered into an exchange agreement with the university's Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies that also will allow for students at the Cuernavaca institution to study at UVI.
The program is the culmination of talks initiated two years ago by Violeta Donovan, UVI assistant professor of Spanish, with the president of Universidad Internacional, Javier Espinosa Romero, according to a UVI release..
Two students from Cuernavaca are expected to attend classes at UVI in the fall. UVI is seeking students interested in studying at the Mexican school. The exchange is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in another culture as well as to hone their skills in a second language, Donovan said. "It takes a special type of person, a person who is open and will venture out," she said.
At Universidad Internacional, students are expected to do most of their course work in Spanish, although English-language support is provided. "They are accustomed to addressing the needs of English-speaking students," Donovan said. "They have similar agreements with several other universities on the mainland."
She noted that the exchange program "is an option" for UVI students. "If you come to UVI and you are interested in really learning Spanish as a second language, this program is for you," she said. Those who will benefit the most, she said, "are students who really understand the importance of knowing a second language – and in this region Spanish is one of the languages that they should know."
According to Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, UVI provost, the university has several exchange agreements for students and faculty with mainland and regional schools, but this one is the first with a non-U.S. institution outside of the Caribbean.
The program is "a good example of how UVI is increasing diversity in the student population, as well as providing opportunities for our students to have extended learning experiences," UVI President LaVerne Ragster said.
The program is coordinated through the Humanities Division Modern Language Area. For more information, e-mail to Prof. Donovan or call her at 693-1349.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI has entered into an exchange agreement with the university's Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies that also will allow for students at the Cuernavaca institution to study at UVI.
The program is the culmination of talks initiated two years ago by Violeta Donovan, UVI assistant professor of Spanish, with the president of Universidad Internacional, Javier Espinosa Romero, according to a UVI release..
Two students from Cuernavaca are expected to attend classes at UVI in the fall. UVI is seeking students interested in studying at the Mexican school. The exchange is an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in another culture as well as to hone their skills in a second language, Donovan said. "It takes a special type of person, a person who is open and will venture out," she said.
At Universidad Internacional, students are expected to do most of their course work in Spanish, although English-language support is provided. "They are accustomed to addressing the needs of English-speaking students," Donovan said. "They have similar agreements with several other universities on the mainland."
She noted that the exchange program "is an option" for UVI students. "If you come to UVI and you are interested in really learning Spanish as a second language, this program is for you," she said. Those who will benefit the most, she said, "are students who really understand the importance of knowing a second language – and in this region Spanish is one of the languages that they should know."
According to Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, UVI provost, the university has several exchange agreements for students and faculty with mainland and regional schools, but this one is the first with a non-U.S. institution outside of the Caribbean.
The program is "a good example of how UVI is increasing diversity in the student population, as well as providing opportunities for our students to have extended learning experiences," UVI President LaVerne Ragster said.
The program is coordinated through the Humanities Division Modern Language Area. For more information, e-mail to Prof. Donovan or call her at 693-1349.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI'S RAKOCY INVITED TO SPEAK ON AQUAPONICS
June 20, 2003 – James Rakocy, director of the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station on St. Croix, will be a guest speaker at an international conference next week aimed at alleviating global hunger and poverty.
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI'S RAKOCY INVITED TO SPEAK ON AQUAPONICS
June 20, 2003 – James Rakocy, director of the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station on St. Croix, will be a guest speaker at an international conference next week aimed at alleviating global hunger and poverty.
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
UVI'S RAKOCY INVITED TO SPEAK ON AQUAPONICS
June 20, 2003 – James Rakocy, director of the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station on St. Croix, will be a guest speaker at an international conference next week aimed at alleviating global hunger and poverty.
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here..
Rakocy will speak about the aquaponics technology developed by UVI at the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology taking place Monday through Wednesday in Sacramento, California.
Aquaponics is the combined culture of fish and vegetables in a recirculating aquatic system. The nutrients in waste generated by the fish are used for hydroponic plant production, while plants purify the culture water for reuse by the fish.
More than 150 delegations from more than a hundred nations are scheduled to take part in the conference. Rakocy, invited by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, will be the only aquaculturist to represent the United States.
"I am extremely honored for the chance to speak to such a distinguished audience," Rakocy said. "This represents a great new opportunity for us and may allow UVI to develop aquaponics projects in other countries."
UVI's experimental aquaponics system is set up on an eighth of an acre of land and utilizes 29,000 gallons of water. It is capable of producing 11,000 pounds of tilapia fish and either 1,250 cases of lettuce or 11,000 pounds of basil annually.
Tilapia, a sweet whitefish dubbed "the aquatic chicken," is marketed extensively in supermarkets on the U.S. mainland. Most of the fish are imported from commercial farming operations in such locales at Costa Rica and Jamaica. The freshwater fish is native to Africa and its commercial production has been hailed as one of the first successful examples of selective breeding of tropical food fish.
Research is under way to evaluate the production capacity of other vegetables at UVI, according to a release.
The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here..
NURSE ADVOCATES: HIRE LOCALLY, RECRUIT EARLY
June 20, 2003 – The turnout of those invited to testify was considerably better for the reconvened meeting on Thursday of the Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee than it had been when the hearing opened on May 21.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
NURSE ADVOCATES: HIRE LOCALLY, RECRUIT EARLY
June 20, 2003 – The turnout of those invited to testify was considerably better for the reconvened meeting on Thursday of the Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee than it had been when the hearing opened on May 21.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
NURSE ADVOCATES: HIRE LOCALLY, RECRUIT EARLY
June 20, 2003 – The turnout of those invited to testify was considerably better for the reconvened meeting on Thursday of the Senate Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee than it had been when the hearing opened on May 21.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Then, three of 18 persons invited to speak did so.
On Thursday, when the committee reconvened on St. Croix, nine appeared.
The subject on both occasions was nurse recruitment and retention in the territory – what the problems are and how they might be solved.
For as far back as most people can remember, the St. Thomas and St. Croix hospitals have relied on stateside visiting nurse programs to meet a significant portion of their staffing needs – even though the University of the Virgin Islands offers a degree program in nursing. Medical administrators have said it costs about twice as much to secure visiting nurses as to hire local residents. And off-island nurses on temporary assignment lack an understanding and appreciation of local culture.
At the May 21 session, Rodney Miller Sr., chief executive officer at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, said contract personnel accounted for about 55 percent of the RLS nursing staff.
At Thursday's meeting, according to a release from Sen. Douglas Canton, the committee chair, it became evident that nursing shortages locally are compounded by interrelationships.
Vera Falu, director of the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix, told the committee that most of her staff nurses are part-time workers who hold full-time jobs at Juan F. Luis Hospital. If the hospital work schedule is altered, she said, this affects the availability of those nurses to care for the elderly.
Dr. Michael Potts, interim chief executive officer at JFL, said minimal funding for the hiring of nurses poses a hardship. Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc., a private care provider for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions, cited difficulties in obtaining liability insurance for her company.
Two witnesses spoke of a recent initiative addressing both recruitment and retention – the implementation of nurse intern programs at both of the hospitals.
Darice Plaskett, director of nursing services at Luis, and Amos Carty, chief operating officer at Schneider, said the intern approach is working. The programs pay nursing school and college nursing program graduates to provide support services and refine their skills on the job from the time they graduate until they pass their licensure boards. Plaskett emphasized the need for funding to continue the programs.
Carty also spoke in support of funding for paid study leave to enable staff personnel to get specialized training in fields related to hospital needs.
Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department human resources director, advocated programs within the schools to encourage nursing as a career. She said Education is looking to hire a replacement nurse-instructor to re-institute the high school nurse licensing program.
The idea of encouraging nursing as a career at the high school level also was advanced at the May 21 session. So was the nurse internship concept. (See "Concerns, ideas shared on nurse shortages".)
Canton urged that pupils get exposure to the nursing profession at the elementary level and offered to assist in a survey to identify students interested in the field as a prelude to instituting a mentoring program.
Sanders noted that she has made training sessions for her staff, include preparation for certification as nurses assistants, available to others interested in the nursing field.
Sen. Luther Renee urged that all parties with nurse staffing needs work with UVI to develop training suited to those needs.
Canton said he is proposing legislation to allow the transfer of money from the Hospitals Revolving Fund to be used for the local hiring of nurses. He also offered to sponsor a nurse intern at Luis Hospital and urged his colleagues to do the same on their respective islands.
Also appearing before the committee on Thursday were Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew; Karen M. Andrews, the administration's chief labor negotiator; and Charlene Jones, Registered Nurses Association chief negotiator.
Canton said he will hold one more committee session, with the Board of Nurse Licensure, "to conclude the research necessary for formulation of a recruitment policy and plan amongst the various agencies," according to the release. That meeting, he said, will be scheduled "in the near future."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SPEAKERS: CHILDHOOD OBESITY NEEDN'T BE DESTINY
June 20, 2003 – Cultural food patterns are passed from one generation to the next, a speaker at the Conference on Childhood Obesity held this week on St. Thomas said. But, she pointed out, "Culture is learned, and therefore can be unlearned."
Yvonne Bronner of Morgan State University focused on cultural and behavioral issues relating to obesity among African-American and other culturally diverse children in the United States in her presentation Thursday at the conference, held at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
Bronner, who directs the master's and doctoral public health programs at Morgan State, defined culture as "the religious, social and behavioral rules that govern the way we live."
For example, Bronner said, the way a woman perceives her body weight has a lot to do with culture. Research indicates that compared to women of other races, African-American women identify a larger body size as "themselves" and the desired weight they would like to be.
In Africa, Bronner has found, body size is a factor of culture. People who are larger are considered powerful, and being larger is better when it comes to protection.
Other effects of culture on obesity relate to the way in which many children are raised, she said, citing the emphasis on "cleaning your plate of the food made available." She recalled her own experience: As a nutritionist she know well the wisdom of reducing portions so as to eat less. But while eating a large lunch, she found herself full but kept on eating and talking until the food was finished. "We are victimized by our habits," she said.
Another dietary situation within African-American culture is the emphasis on what are known as soul foods which are unhealthful, Bronner said. Among them: chitterlings, cornbread, barbecued ribs.
"Our goal is to limit those foods to celebratory events and change what we eat" on a regular basis, Bronner said.
Another factor, she noted, is the pervasiveness of "fast food" high in salt, sugar and cholesterol, especially in low-income communities and especially in areas frequented by children and young people. "It is very difficult for our students to walk to and from school without passing two or three 'opportunities,'" she said. "Any little gas station, any little convenience store are opportunities to have high-sodium foods."
With all this, Bronner said, there is hope – there are things that can be done about the crisis of obesity. "The industry is changing. Salads are available," she said "However, if you watch consumption patterns, people are not making the right decisions."
Establishing healthful patterns of food consumption can begin at the very beginning – when an infant is breast-fed, she said.
Today, 80 percent of mothers in the Virgin Islands breast-feed their babies – one of the highest rates in the nation, she said. This is highly encouraged by the Nutrition Education Program and the national Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program.
When breast-feeding ends, Bronner believes, the people who oversee the child's food consumption must take responsibility for a healthful eating program. This includes not just mothers and fathers, she said, but aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents — anyone who influences the child's eating habits.
The aim of the conference, which ended at noon Friday, was to raise the level of concern about childhood obesity as a high public-health issue, according to its organizer, St. Thomas nutritionist Edward C. Jones, who is pursing his Ph.D. in nutritional sciences at Cornell University. The program was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the V.I. Health Department and WIC
Another habit that should be encouraged is physical activity, Bronner said. "Any day that you eat, you need to exercise," she said. "If I can do it at 63, then you all can do it at your ages. Walking is a good place to begin. I am encouraged because I see families walking."
She cautioned that before beginning an exercise regimen, "you might want to check with your doctor."
Bronner has found that small changes can and do make a difference. A 10 percent reduction in body weight can reduce many health risks, she said.
But for the child to change, the family has to change, she said.
"We are the role models for our kids," echoed Judy F. Wilson, director of the nutrition services staff of the U.S.D.A. Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation. "We must practice what we preach and lead by example."
Wilson, whose staff has initiated many programs to improve nutrition among low-income people, said she realizes that it is a challenge. "We recognize that no one program can do it, including WIC.," she said. "To expand the reach of our efforts, we hope to create a synergy."
That's a relationship in which the collective efforts of several agents working together are greater than they could achieve working individually.
WIC officials have plans to increase the proportion of fruits and vegetables in its food programs, she said. They hope to have more salad bars in schools – with recipes to give the staff the ability to create palatable choices. She said she hopes to implement the plans by 2005.
Her division has created the Power Panther cartoon character with his own song, posters, brochures and theme – "Eat smart, play hard."
Bronner also said that it's crucial to enlist fathers in the fight against childhood obesity. While mothers make many of the food purchase and preparation decisions, she said, fathers do have an influence.
And who else? Just about everybody. "We need to get the young, the middle and the old working together so that we can have success," Bronner said. "It really does take a village to raise a child."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Yvonne Bronner of Morgan State University focused on cultural and behavioral issues relating to obesity among African-American and other culturally diverse children in the United States in her presentation Thursday at the conference, held at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
Bronner, who directs the master's and doctoral public health programs at Morgan State, defined culture as "the religious, social and behavioral rules that govern the way we live."
For example, Bronner said, the way a woman perceives her body weight has a lot to do with culture. Research indicates that compared to women of other races, African-American women identify a larger body size as "themselves" and the desired weight they would like to be.
In Africa, Bronner has found, body size is a factor of culture. People who are larger are considered powerful, and being larger is better when it comes to protection.
Other effects of culture on obesity relate to the way in which many children are raised, she said, citing the emphasis on "cleaning your plate of the food made available." She recalled her own experience: As a nutritionist she know well the wisdom of reducing portions so as to eat less. But while eating a large lunch, she found herself full but kept on eating and talking until the food was finished. "We are victimized by our habits," she said.
Another dietary situation within African-American culture is the emphasis on what are known as soul foods which are unhealthful, Bronner said. Among them: chitterlings, cornbread, barbecued ribs.
"Our goal is to limit those foods to celebratory events and change what we eat" on a regular basis, Bronner said.
Another factor, she noted, is the pervasiveness of "fast food" high in salt, sugar and cholesterol, especially in low-income communities and especially in areas frequented by children and young people. "It is very difficult for our students to walk to and from school without passing two or three 'opportunities,'" she said. "Any little gas station, any little convenience store are opportunities to have high-sodium foods."
With all this, Bronner said, there is hope – there are things that can be done about the crisis of obesity. "The industry is changing. Salads are available," she said "However, if you watch consumption patterns, people are not making the right decisions."
Establishing healthful patterns of food consumption can begin at the very beginning – when an infant is breast-fed, she said.
Today, 80 percent of mothers in the Virgin Islands breast-feed their babies – one of the highest rates in the nation, she said. This is highly encouraged by the Nutrition Education Program and the national Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program.
When breast-feeding ends, Bronner believes, the people who oversee the child's food consumption must take responsibility for a healthful eating program. This includes not just mothers and fathers, she said, but aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents — anyone who influences the child's eating habits.
The aim of the conference, which ended at noon Friday, was to raise the level of concern about childhood obesity as a high public-health issue, according to its organizer, St. Thomas nutritionist Edward C. Jones, who is pursing his Ph.D. in nutritional sciences at Cornell University. The program was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the V.I. Health Department and WIC
Another habit that should be encouraged is physical activity, Bronner said. "Any day that you eat, you need to exercise," she said. "If I can do it at 63, then you all can do it at your ages. Walking is a good place to begin. I am encouraged because I see families walking."
She cautioned that before beginning an exercise regimen, "you might want to check with your doctor."
Bronner has found that small changes can and do make a difference. A 10 percent reduction in body weight can reduce many health risks, she said.
But for the child to change, the family has to change, she said.
"We are the role models for our kids," echoed Judy F. Wilson, director of the nutrition services staff of the U.S.D.A. Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation. "We must practice what we preach and lead by example."
Wilson, whose staff has initiated many programs to improve nutrition among low-income people, said she realizes that it is a challenge. "We recognize that no one program can do it, including WIC.," she said. "To expand the reach of our efforts, we hope to create a synergy."
That's a relationship in which the collective efforts of several agents working together are greater than they could achieve working individually.
WIC officials have plans to increase the proportion of fruits and vegetables in its food programs, she said. They hope to have more salad bars in schools – with recipes to give the staff the ability to create palatable choices. She said she hopes to implement the plans by 2005.
Her division has created the Power Panther cartoon character with his own song, posters, brochures and theme – "Eat smart, play hard."
Bronner also said that it's crucial to enlist fathers in the fight against childhood obesity. While mothers make many of the food purchase and preparation decisions, she said, fathers do have an influence.
And who else? Just about everybody. "We need to get the young, the middle and the old working together so that we can have success," Bronner said. "It really does take a village to raise a child."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
