For nearly 15 years, two of the territory’s most vital health care support organizations have worked side by side, one providing the clinical care and the other covering the crippling costs that often stand in the way; today they are joining forces to better serve patients in the community.
The St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation and Patient Assist VI have announced a merger designed to streamline patient support and dramatically expand access to essential medications and medical equipment across the U.S. Virgin Islands. The integration brings PAVI’s prescription assistance programs directly under the roof of the federally qualified health center, creating a more direct and holistic safety net for the community’s most vulnerable residents.
For many families in the Virgin Islands, the choice between paying for groceries and paying for lifesaving medication is a harsh reality. This partnership aims to eliminate that choice altogether. “We’ve been working with PAVI for a long time, for almost 15 years, and they’ve provided medication assistance for our patients. In some cases, they’ve covered the $700 – $800 cost of insulin, making it free for the patient,” Dr. Tess Richards, STEEMCC executive director said.
To date, PAVI has assisted more than 250 uninsured, underinsured, and low-income patients across St. Thomas and St. John in obtaining over $3.5 million worth of essential prescriptions at no cost. By merging with STEEMCC, leaders say that impact is poised to grow significantly.
PAVI Executive Director LaAsia Campbell explained that the structural change will do more than just simplify paperwork; it will fundamentally change how patients are identified and served. “There is a great synergy between the two organizations. Typically, doctors would refer PAVI to the patient, but now that it’s within STEEMCC, I’ll be able to identify our patients and build more community around the medical assistance program,” Campbell said.
“With the V.I. HELP Program, patients in need of wheelchairs, hospital beds, or oxygen tanks will now have a clearer path to obtaining those critical items,” Campbell added.
Campbell credits the vision of PAVI’s founder, Laurel Nuschke, for laying the groundwork for equitable health care access in the territory. She emphasized that this new chapter is about honoring that legacy while preparing for future challenges. “We want to continue the legacy of what PAVI has done for so many people. Through hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, PAVI has been here to help, and we want to keep the momentum going,” says Campbell.
The merger also comes with a renewed push for community engagement. On Monday, June 15, the organizations launched the “High Five for Health” fundraising campaign, inviting residents to contribute a symbolic $5 donation, either as a one-time gift or a recurring monthly pledge, to support the expanded mission.
Additional giving opportunities include the “$30 to Power 90 Days of Health” campaign, a Global Giving Bonus Day on July 15 where donations between $100 and $1500 will be matched for 24 hours, and a community event at Taphus Beer House on St. Thomas during First Friday on August 7th.
PAVI’s board, which volunteers its time and expertise, includes Board President Dr. Richards, Treasurer Steven Mayers, Secretary Michael Allietta, Robyn Browne and Dr. Madel Villegas. Campbell said the goal now is to make PAVI a permanent fixture in the consciousness of the community.
For more information, visit www.patientassistvi.org or https://steemcc.org/savant/.
