On January 9, 1995, I arrived on St. Croix and accepted a challenge from the CEO of Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center to direct a dialysis center that had recently lost its Medical Director. At the time, the facility was not CMS-certified and was operating through a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Five months later, it achieved CMS certification for the first time.
The past thirty years have been the most challenging and rewarding of my professional life. I have had the honor of serving many Virgin Islanders living with kidney disease and, in the process, helping to leave a lasting mark on the Territory’s healthcare infrastructure while improving the care patients receive. I was also fortunate to established and direct the first privately owned and operated dialysis facility on St. Croix and, later, a similar facility on St. Thomas, along with all the benefits that came with it.
As I approach the dawn of my 8th decade, I have decided to take my professional life in a new direction. Nephrology has been my life, and walking away is difficult, but necessary. With pride, gratitude, and a full heart, I announce my retirement.
There are many individuals, organizations, and businesses to whom I owe a great deal, and while I will not be able to recognize them all let me apologize to those not mentioned. Please know that your assistance, advice, knowledge, and even your criticism contributed to my growth, development, and success. Among them are the Government of the Virgin Islands; the Virgin Islands Department of Health; the Virgin Islands Legislature; the many dedicated employees of the dialysis facilities over the years; the management and administration of Juan Luis Hospital and Roy Lester Schneider Hospitals; the many physicians with whom I had the privilege, good fortune and pleasure of working; the Virgin Islands Medical Society; VIMI; VITRANS; other patient transportation services; all the patients I had the privilege of serving; their immediate and extended families and caregivers; and the many skilled trades professionals whose work contributed immeasurably to the success of the first privately owned dialysis facilities in the Virgin Islands—thank you. A special thank you to Charles Anthony of Anthony Plumbing, whose timely and reliable service deserves special recognition. It has been a privilege serving the people of the VI for more than 30 years. This community has been my home and caring for its people has been among the greatest honors of my life.
To the Government, the Legislature, and the Department of Health: please make healthcare the priority it deserves to be. To the people of the Virgin Islands: insist, by whatever means necessary, that your government make healthcare a true priority, and keep this in mind when you cast your vote in a few days. The Virgin Islands can and must do better for its people.
Thank you all, and Godspeed.
Editor's Note: This is sponsored content submitted by Dr. Gardner, reflecting on more than 30 years of service in the Virgin Islands and announcing his retirement from nephrology. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the V.I. Consortium.
