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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 13, 2021 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Chivonne A.S. Thomas, Esq. Chief Legal Counsel cthomas@jflusvi.org Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center Continues to Provide Safe Patient Care Within ICU and ER ST CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, DECEMBER 13, 2021 - Contrary to what has been recently communicated by some media outlets, Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center’s (“JFL”) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room (ER) remain open and caring for patients. JFL has suffered staffing challenges and has been using Pafford Medical Services to augment JFL’s critical staffing needs. Due to the current staffing shortage, when a patient count exceeds safe standards, JFL evaluates and transfers care to an accepting hospital. At this moment, JFL is currently at capacity within the ICU due to a staffing shortage. Hospital staff and administration are actively working with the Virgin Islands Department of Health and Pafford Medical Services to provide additional nursing support. During our update this morning, JFL was promised 6 Registered Nurses and 6 paramedics to arrive by the end of the week through the Pafford Medical Services. JFL is not diverting all ICU patients. At this time, JFL has made a determination that based on the staff-to-patient ratio, each patient will be assessed and it will be determined at that time if a transfer is medically necessary. There is a plan for $8 million American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) funding for recruitment and retention through the Office of Governor Bryan. We await the receipt of the first tranche of funding to retain, recruit, and provide employment opportunities. "Our desire is to always do what is best for our patients. At times such as this, this includes transferring patients to partnering hospitals that can provide critical care. We continue to work to identify opportunities for resolution of this issue. We thank our dedicated ICU doctors, nurses, and support persons for their continued dedication to our patients and community." – Dyma B. Williams, BSN, RN, CPHRM, MJ, Interim Chief Executive Officer Dyma B. Williams, BSN, RN, CPHRM, MJ, is Interim Chief Executive Officer for Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center. The goal for both JFL and Dyma B. Williams, is to maintain integrity and transparency with patients and the St. Croix community. JFL will continue to keep the public updated and keep patient care at the center of decisions as it navigates through staffing levels. This includes communications with the Department of Health regarding staffing levels and the continued need for Pafford. ### FACT SHEET GOV. JUAN F. LUIS HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER is the sole acute care hospital on the island of St. Croix. DEFINITION: According to Merriam Webster, Intensive Care Unit, also referred to as - ICU, is defined as a unit in a hospital providing intensive care for critically ill or injured patients that is staffed by specially trained medical personnel and has equipment that allows for continuous monitoring and life support. Recent update of $8 million ARPA funding by the Office of Governor Bryan: On November 30th, Governor Albert Bryan, announced via The Consortium, the first tranche of $3 million each is being released as the hospitals try to manage facilities that are lacking adequate staff and in turn straining those who remain to perform critical work. ORGANIZATION and LOCATION: JFL is located at 4007 Estate Diamond Ruby, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820. PROFILES Dyma Williams, is a St. Croix native. Dyma received her nursing degree from the University of the Virgin Islands and her Health Law degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She has worked for JFL Hospital for more than 17 years, and currently serves as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. She has served in this capacity since September 2018.