“V.I. Be Well” Wellness Fair: Tips and What to Expect for Your Visit

Row of Virgin Islanders waiting to have their vitals recorded before entering the temporary medical facility in the gymnasium. (Source photo by Kerrin Margiano)

With only a few days remaining of the “V.I. Be Well” Wellness Fair, which ends on Sunday, now is the time to visit its St. Thomas location and check out all the services the fair has to offer.

The U.S. Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program has set up a temporary health facility at the Digna Marie Wheatley Gymnasium in Red Hook.

The process is easy, and after you are inside the building, the healthcare professionals move you swiftly through the screenings with care and compassion. If you are planning to benefit from the dental and optometry services (The free glasses were only available for the first few days.), as well as medical screenings, pediatric physicals, or mental wellness checks offered this week, there are four things to know before you go:

  1. Completing the online form does not secure a scheduled appointment. If you complete the online form and bring a picture of the QR code, it can help with the intake process. But the online form is not necessary, it can be completed at the facility. Having a completed form does not get you in the building faster.

  2. The doors open at 8 a.m., but the facility exceeds capacity around noon. If you can make it inside before closing, you will have your vitals taken and get a fast pass paper to bring back the following day.

  3. Although wait times outside the building will vary daily, there are seats in the shade under two tents. There’s no need to arrive before opening because there’s not an organized line. If this is your first visit, then you’ll be waiting until people with fast passes have been seen. The IRT brought all seniors inside to wait for their chance to be seen by a healthcare professional.

  4. Pack water and a snack, and come prepared to sit in the air-conditioned gymnasium for at least an hour, quite possibly more.

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