JFL Receives $48,000 Donation For Cardiac Center, Hemodialysis Units

ST. CROIX — Officials and staff from the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center (J.F.L.) on Friday received $48,000 to support the hospital’s hemodialysis units and the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center (V.I.C.C.), the hospital announced Friday.

J.F.L. Governing Board Vice Chair Troy deChabert-Schuster and brother Greg Schuster, presented staff from the V.I.C.C. with a check for $24,001.49 that was donated from the estate of their aunt, Ms. Nora Branker. “On behalf of my aunt Nora Branker, we are here to present the checks to the hospital,” said Greg Schuster. “My aunt left 12 percent of her cash to the dialysis unit, and she left 12 percent of her cash for the Cardiac Center, and we are here to ensure that her wishes are carried out.”

The Schuster family also presented staff from the Hemodialysis unit with another check in the amount of $24,001.49. “We would like to thank our late aunt Nora Branker and her memory for her thoughtfulness as she was planning her estate, to make sure that Juan F. Luis Hospital would benefit and especially the people of the Virgin Islands whom she loved so very much,” said Troy deChabert Schuster.

The funds received by the hemodialysis department will go towards the purchase of a portable reverse osmosis machine, according to J.F.L. The money for the hemo units will also be used to replace an outdated work station, an outdated hand-washing station for both patients and staff, and any other equipment needs of the unit. “We are so grateful to Ms. Branker for the gift that she has so thoughtfully given to us, and we would also like to thank the Schuster family for their continued support of our department,” JFL Hemodialysis Director Sonji Black said.

The V.I.C.C. donation will be used to purchase two major pieces of equipment for the cardiovascular center, a MAC 5500 HD EKG machine and an echocardiogram probe, according to the hospital.

“On behalf of the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center team, I would like to say thank you for this generous donation which will allow us to continue excellent and quality cardiovascular care to the people of St. Croix and to the Territory,” said V.I.C.C. Clinical Care Coordinator Lorie Trotman.

J.F.L.’s hemodialysis director said the donation is for the community. “Having a state of the art portable reverse osmosis machine helps me and helps you,” he said. “At any time, any one of us could be in a car accident and receive damage to our kidneys and need dialysis. This machine will ensure that the community has the dialysis care they need.”

The hospital’s acting CEO, attorney Richard Evangelista, also praised the Schuster family for their legacy of supporting local healthcare.

“On behalf of the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, its staff and the community, we thank your family for helping us once again,” remarked Evangelista. “We are extremely grateful and pleased as we know healthcare is one of the priorities for your family, and we thank you,” Mr. Evangelista said.

Feature Image: From left to right: VICC staff members Lorie Trotman and Lori Plaskett, JFL Acting CEO Atty. Richard T. Evangelista, JFL Governing board vice chair Troy deChabert-Schuster, Greg Schuster, JFL Governing board chair Aracelis Bermudez-Walcott, Hemodialysis staff members Colette Whyte, Sonji Black, Jason Moore and Joanne White. (Credit: J.F.L.)