Oct. 19, 2001 — Gov. Charles Turnbull on Thursday nominated Dr. Mavis Matthew to head the Department of Health, a day after he was scolded by the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee for not naming a candidate.
Sen. Carlton Dowe, chairman of the Rules Committee, blasted Turnbull on Wednesday for failing to nominate a commissioner of Health, a position that has been vacant for more than six months. During that time Matthew was acting commissioner but her authority to act as commissioner expired Sept. 20.
In announcing Matthew’s nomination, Turnbull called for "prompt and favorable" consideration by the Senate.
Matthew, a pediatrician, became acting commissioner in January after Dr. Lucien Moolenaar, former acting commissioner and now the department’s deputy commissioner for public health services, was accused of embezzling about $100,000 from the V.I. government from 1995 to 2000.
Prior to becoming acting commissioner, Matthew had been director of the V.I. Maternal and Child Health and Children with Special Health Care Needs programs since 1991. She served as the Health Department’s assistant commissioner from 1999 to earlier this year.
She has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from George Washington University and a Doctor of Medicine from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She also has a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Hygiene.
