A group of dignitaries and invited guests, including Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr and Dr. David Hall (center left and center right, respectively) gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Orville E. Kean Campus in St Thomas on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Photo: VI Legislature

The state-of-the-art, two-story facility spans 33,876 square feet and is designed to advance medical research, education, and practice, serving as a training ground for new high-value medical practice devices.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured speakers and guests, including Governor Albert A. Bryan, Senate President Novelle A. Francis, Dr. Camille McKayle, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at UVI, Henry C. Smock, chair of the UVI Board of Trustees, and outgoing UVI President Dr David Hall

Mr Hall spoke about the purpose and vision of the new Medical Research and Training Center, emphasising its role in fostering advanced innovations in the biomedical field. The facility houses a state-of-the-art biomedical research lab aimed at recruiting national researchers in infectious diseases and public health. Additionally, it will host the Biomedical Laboratory Certificate Program, funded by a Title III grant totaling $1.2 million over five years.

Features

The center features a cutting-edge anatomy lab equipped with anatomage tables for virtual dissection, providing advanced visualization tools for anatomy education. A 100-seat lecture hall with SMART classroom technology, a 1,200-square-foot clinical skills lab for group instruction, and six individual clinical skills rooms for private instruction are among the facility’s key components. Large seminar rooms, a SMART conference room, and 5,000 square feet of administrative space further enhance the center's capabilities.

Linda Cruz-Carnall, Regional Director of the Philadelphia Office of the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the new center.

Dr Ben Sachs, former Dean, and Dr Tai-Hunte Ceaser, Founding Dean of the UVI School of Medicine, discussed the rationale for establishing medical education programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, emphasising the importance of local medical training and research.

Following the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling outside the building entrance, attendees were then invited to tour the facility and witness demonstrations of its advanced features, followed by a reception.