USVI Public Records

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12 September 2025 As I read the resolution honoring and recommending Dr. Alfred Lee Anduze, I was awed to think of how much one person has contributed not just to the profession that he fully embraced but also demonstrated a caring for aLL those who needed his skills and expertise, which he continued to expand. My thoughts went back to earlier meetings with other ophthal.mologists and the severe vision problems that I had had for some time, and my unacceptable attitude compared to his, You see, as a prefect growing up in Guyana and attending what we were taught was the best girl’s school in Guyana, we were tasked with training the younger girls both educational skills and proficiency in a variety of sports. I was reluctantly teaching a fifth grader to play badminton. She did not follow my instructions, swung her racket too close to me, and managed to break my glasses in my eyes. That was the beginning of my eye issues. Several years later, after traveling through Europe, several islands in the Caribbean, and consulting various ophthalmologists in Guyana and the Caribbean islands during my work and travel for the University of Guyana, I finally moved permanently to the island of St. Croix, where I encountered Dr. Alfred Lee Anduze. Dr. Anduze was different from any other ophthalmologist I had ever seen. He didn’t pretend to know everything about what was wrong with my eyes. When he learned that there was possibly a cure for one of the issues, He contacted me and told me that there was now some experimental, surgery that would help. He insisted that I should not take his word for it and listed three facilities I could try: Peachtree in Atlanta, Bascombe & Palmer in Naples, Florida, and a third facility. I visited the first and second facilities but decided not to proceed to the third. However, I returned to St. Croix and asked that he do the surgery. Dr. Anduze told me that it would be expensive, and since it was experimental surgery, my insurance would not cover it. We agreed he should go ahead and do it. I know of no other ophthalmologist or doctor who would have performed the surgery without being paid for it and then discounted it. Because of my ongoing eye issues, I still visit Dr. Anduze twice a year when he sees patients in St. Croix. In between those visits, I can call if I have issues with medication. In the last year, I have had serious problems with my retina. Dr. Anduze did not hesitate to recommend an ophthalmologist whom I could consult on the US mainland. When I read the Bill proposed by Senator Vialet, the only omission I could see was that the proposed bill has not fully captured the heart of this truly amazing person, who richly deserves all the commendations we can offer. Dr. Anduze, will never stop thanking you for all you have done to help me retain my vision. Respectfully, Jennifer Jackson, ABD, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor, {Retired}, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus