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BVIHSA looking for board members

- no full board since July 2024
September 20th, 2024 | Tags: BVIHSA Board members application health Virgin Islands
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has been operating without a full board since July 2024, according to Mr Ron R. Potter, Chairman of the BVIHSA Board.
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is looking to fill the vacant positions of members on its board with applications open until September 27, 2024. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is looking to fill the vacant positions of members on its board with applications open until September 27, 2024. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands
Chairman of the Board of the BVIHSA, Mr. Ron R. Potter (left) was asked to quietly resign from the position following fallouts with the public regarding health care services in the Virgin Islands by Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) (right). Photo: GIS/BVIEC
Chairman of the Board of the BVIHSA, Mr. Ron R. Potter (left) was asked to quietly resign from the position following fallouts with the public regarding health care services in the Virgin Islands by Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) (right). Photo: GIS/BVIEC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is looking to fill the vacant positions of members on its board.

A notice on Thursday, September 19, 2024, called for interested persons to apply for the position of Member on the BVIHSA Board.

No full board since July

The BVIHSA has been operating without a full board since July 2024, according to Mr Ron R. Potter, Chairman of the BVIHSA Board.

The BVIHSA has also found itself at the center of much criticism from the public as many have expressed disappointment and frustration over the lack of proper healthcare services.

According to the vacancy notice, the BVIHSA is looking for individuals willing to make a professional commitment to the Board in carrying out its functions among other duties. The ideal candidate should demonstrate the qualities and professional competencies that match the mandate and responsibilities of the board.

Areas of expertise to serve on BVIHSA Board

The notice also reads that those interested in serving on the board should have knowledge, experience and expertise in medicine, law, accounting, nursing, insurance, social work or other professions.

It also says that consideration will be given to people representing the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, academia and the religious community.

Board Chairman asked to resign

The BVIHSA was again thrown into the spotlight when it was revealed that the Chairman of the Board, Mr Potter, was asked to quietly resign.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) confirmed that he was the one who asked Mr Potter for his resignation on September 12, 2024.  

Mr Potter informed the public through a press release that there was no legal ground for his resignation and that he had no intention of following through with the Minister’s request.

He stated that the BVI Health Services Authority Act, 2004, governs his appointment and removal.

Meanwhile, the closing date for applications for members of the BVIHSA Board is September 27, 2024.

6 Responses to “BVIHSA looking for board members ”

  • Sleight of Hand (20/09/2024, 12:43) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is precisely why it is crucial to have all the facts at hand. The impression given was that the Board had been languishing with vacancies for an extended period, when in reality, it has been just two months. I’d wager that’s fairly standard for most boards experiencing vacancies. Yet, the narrative has been conveniently distorted to suit a particular agenda.
    • controversial (20/09/2024, 14:36) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      For a board as important as the HSA, the minister should have known that the positions were coming to an end. He should have done his best to recruit people to apply, so that he had people to pick from. It seems that he only became aware after Potter's press release.
      • Bad faith? (20/09/2024, 17:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Your final remark is quite revealing. You stated, 'It seems that he (the Minister) only became aware of the vacancy after Potter's press release.' The crucial question then is whether Potter ever communicated this vacancy to him. If he did not, and it was not, in his view, 'his job or responsibility,' then we have a clear case of obstructionism, compounded by bad faith.
        Potter’s known divergence from the Minister’s vision only deepens the suspicion. By sitting on knowledge of this vacancy and waiting for the Minister to discover it on his own, his motives are rightly called into question. Is his aim to improve the healthcare system, or does he see himself as above the chain of command, driven by hubris, incapable of collaboration, and unwilling to follow direction? If it’s the latter, then he clearly lacks the basic competencies required for leadership at this level.
        • smh (20/09/2024, 20:47) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          At the Premier's Press Conference the Minister said that the advertisement for Board Members has been published many times but people are not applying, you can fact-check that.

          The process for appointing people to Boards has changed since the COI. If people are not applying (who meet the criteria of course), then naturally there won't be any people to fill the vacancies... We really need to look at these COI recommended changes to see if they really work for our local population.
        • controversial (21/09/2024, 16:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          @Bad faith? the responsibility of appointing board members is that of the relevant minister. No one has to remind him or her of it. If this minister was studying what he was supposed to do, the board would have enough members.
          A board including the chairman carries out the mission and vision of the statutory body NOT that of any minister.
  • Sowande again (20/09/2024, 15:50) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    They have good members presently...Just promote Rosetta Crandall as the new chair...If not I strongly recommend Mr. Clyde Lettsome..


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