Ten outstanding Virgin Islands undergraduate students presented original research addressing some of the territory’s most pressing public health challenges as they completed the third cohort of the Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce Program during the Third Annual CREW Research Symposium held Tuesday at Government House, St. Thomas.
The eight-week summer research fellowship is a partnership between the Virgin Islands Department of Health, the University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine, and the University of the Virgin Islands. Supported through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the program provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experience while inspiring them to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, public health, biomedical research, and other healthcare professions.
“The CREW Program is not only about research, but also about investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders for the Virgin Islands,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “Each year, CREW demonstrates what is possible when talented young Virgin Islanders are given the opportunity to learn, ask meaningful questions, and apply their knowledge to improving the health of our communities. We are very proud of this remarkable third cohort and look forward to welcoming many of them home as future physicians, nurses, scientists, public health professionals, and healthcare leaders.”
Throughout the summer, students worked alongside faculty, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community partners to examine health issues affecting Virgin Islanders, including healthcare access, stroke prevention, intimate partner violence and cardiovascular disease, workforce development, and community perceptions surrounding healthcare delivery. Their findings were presented before government officials, healthcare leaders, educators, family members, and community partners during the symposium.
Dr. Sonjia Kenya, Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and CREW Director, said the program continues to demonstrate that investing in Virgin Islands students today will strengthen healthcare in the Territory for years to come.
“CREW is helping build a healthcare workforce that understands the unique needs of the Virgin Islands because these students know this community. They were raised here, care deeply about its future, and they want to make a difference,” said Dr. Kenya. “Watching our scholars grow into confident researchers while strengthening their commitment to returning home to serve has been one of the program’s greatest successes. Together with the Virgin Islands Department of Health and the University of the Virgin Islands, we are developing future healthcare leaders who will improve the health and well-being of these islands for generations to come.”
