Bill Mandating Background Checks For All Who Wish To Practice Medicine In Territory Moves Forward

ST. CROIX — A bill sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet that requires all local medical boards to perform national background checks on all persons or groups looking to practice medicine in the territory, received the approval of senators who make up the Committee on Health, Hospital and Human Services.

Mr. Vialet, frustrated by the Nedra Dodds scandal, told The Consortium in February that he intended to introduce the measure, as residents should feel safe at all times when receiving care at the territory’s hospitals.

“We deserve quality care,” Mr. Vialet said. “And I am expecting that they have put in place a mechanism that would prevent such mistakes from happening again,” he said, referring to the hiring of Ms. Dodds. The senator said he hoped that those responsible for bringing Ms. Dodds to J.F.L. — who was recently indicted on felony-murder charges for two patient deaths, and now being held at a Cobb County, Georgia jail  — were no longer at the helm making such decisions.

“You’re talking about the people’s lives,” Mr. Vialet went on. “These people come here thinking that the Virgin Islands is a third-world country and feel like they can do whatever they want.”

While the senator stopped short of calling for the resignation Dr. Mavis Matthew — the hospital’s former chief medical officer and the person former CEO Kendall Griffith said brought Dr. Dodds, without his consent, to the hospital — he agreed that people must be held accountable for their decisions if the territory is to move forward in providing services, in all sectors, that meet the highest of standards.

Dr. Matthew was later fired by Dr. Okolo, who himself is facing an ousting by the hospital’s board during a meeting to be held at 5:00 p.m. today, following revelation that his degree was given by a debunked institution.

Mr. Vialet’s bill, No. 31-0305, is an Act amending Title 27 Virgin Islands Code, adding chapter 4a requiring the Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Nurse Licensure, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Optometrical Examiners, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Podiatry Examiners, Board of Psychology Examiners, Board of Veterinary Medicine and Board of Naturopathic Physicians to perform criminal background checks on applicants seeking professional licenses, and requires the Board of Nurse Licensure to regulate certified nursing assistants, and making technical amendments,” according to the bill’s language.

It was approved without opposition at yesterday’s hearing, held at the Fritz E. Lawaetz Legislative Hall, and was forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.

Feature Image: Nedra Dodds.