St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On April 26, 2025, the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center (JFL) experienced a data security incident that prompted a Code Yellow Activation, initiating a coordinated strategic response to safeguard continuity of care and ensure operational stability.
In response to this incident, federal support, including assistance from The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), was deployed in close coordination with the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).
The partnership between VIDOH and ASPR has been instrumental in advancing emergency preparedness and healthcare resilience across the territory.
This collaboration has significantly enhanced VIDOH’s ability to protect public health during emergencies through federal funding and shared expertise. By leveraging ASPR’s resources and the VI DOH’s local expertise, we have established a model for effective disaster response and health system preparedness.
Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner of Health, stated “A key achievement of this partnership is the strengthened support for all healthcare establishments across the territory. This ensures that hospitals, clinics, and other facilities have the necessary resources to respond effectively to public health threats, safeguarding the well-being of Virgin Islands residents.”
The collaborative effort was instrumental in helping JFL navigate the challenges posed by limited IT and network capabilities. Among the most impactful of these efforts was the deployment of tele-health services, which provided much-needed support across specialty areas including radiology, neurology, and psychiatry. This assistance proved essential in maintaining clinical operations and ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
JFL is deeply honored and grateful to have served as the initial site for this groundbreaking telehealth initiative led by ASPR. This partnership not only addressed urgent needs during a challenging time but also yielded important baseline data to help inform and guide the future of tele-health services for both JFL and ASPR.
Notable outcomes of the tele-health support include:
- Augmented clinical staffing to ensure continuity of care during network downtime.
- Specialty coverage support, particularly in neurology and psychiatry.
- Robust radiology support, allowing for the completion of over 250 diagnostic reads, including resolution of backlogged cases due to the incident.
“This collaboration was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Darlene Baptiste, Chief Executive Officer of JFL. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to our federal and local partners, especially the dedicated teams at ASPR, VITEMA and VIDOH, whose swift commitment and responsiveness were instrumental in preserving continuity of care during this period. Their presence and expertise brought relief and benefit to our staff and patients.”
JFL remains committed to strengthening our systems, enhancing patient care delivery, and ensuring resilience in the face of future challenges.
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