J.F.L. Receives $25,000 From Cane Bay Partners Co-Founder David Johnson

ST. CROIX — On Wednesday, the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center (J.F.L.) received $25,000 to support its Women’s and Children’s Center. The gift is the second half of a $50,000 commitment made last year by Cane Bay Partners VI, LLLP co-founder David A. Johnson.

“I am proud to support the hospital and specifically the Women’s and Children’s Division. This is where our most vulnerable and joyful moments happen and I for one am willing to do whatever is within my power to ensure they are supported and growing,” Mr. Johnson said. “I will continue to find ways to support the hospital so all residents and visitors have top notch services for when they need them because, as we know, it’s not a matter of if we will need the hospital, but when. I challenge all citizens, particularly corporate citizens, to find ways to meaningfully support this critical institution.”

The initial funding was used to renovate two rooms at the Juan Luis hospital; one room in the Labor and Delivery area, and a second room on the Mother/Baby unit. The $25,000 gift received today will go towards renovating more rooms in the Women’s and Children’s division.

JFL Chief Nursing Officer Justa Encarnacion said the hospital is extremely grateful for the contribution.

David Johnson writes $25,000 check to the Juan F. Luis Hospital during a presentation on Wednesday.

“JFL would like to thank Mr. Johnson for his continued support of the Women’s and Children’s division of the hospital. Last year’s donation of $25,000 sparked new life in both the staff and the OB/GYN physicians. The entire department became invigorated with planning ideas for the renovation project, which is demonstrated in the outcome of the rooms,” said Ms. Encarnacion.

J.F.L. Executives, along with Mr. Johnson and his family, and members of the media toured the upgraded areas following the presentation. Acting CEO Dr. Ken Okolo said support like this from the community ensures that J.F.L. can continue its mission of improving the health of everyone it serves.

“It is always exciting when we receive support from our community partners to help advance the mission of JFL,” Dr. Okolo said.

The rooms’ furnishings were purchased from Sampson House with the help of owner Kiersten Peterson, and the furniture was chosen for its beauty, as well as durability.

Many hands at J.F.L. worked together to complete the pilot project, and upgrades to the rooms could not be accomplished without the assistance of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager Faye John-Baptiste, who championed the effort to have the rooms renovated. J.F.L.’s maintenance crews, under the guidance of the hospital’s Plant Carpenter Chever Donaldson, also worked tirelessly to complete the upgrades.

One of the renovated rooms made possible with donations like David Johnson’s.

“Our goal is to eventually have every single room in both the Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby units beautifully renovated like the ones we just completed for the comfort of our community,” Dr. Okolo concluded.

The initial pledge and donation from Mr. Johnson was made in December 2014. It’s the second major donation JFL received this year. On January 4, 2016 during a board meeting, JFL board member Philip Arcidi presented JFL with a check for $55,000 on behalf of Greenleaf VI, II, Inc. Greenleaf previously donated $50,000 in 2014 to the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital Foundation.

Feature Image: From left to right:  David A. Johnson, Cane Bay Partners VI, LLLP Co-Founder;  Dr. Ken Okolo, JFL Acting Chief Executive Officer;  Justa Encarnacion, JFL Chief Nursing Officer;  Jacintha Stephen, JFL Assistant Chief Nursing Officer and Director of the Women’s and Children’s Division.

Image Credit: VIC.