Health Commissioner Dullum Resigns, deJongh Appoints Darice Plaskett

Health Commissioner Mercedes Dullum resigned her position, effective May 28, for personal reasons, Government House confirmed. Just before noon Wednesday, the V.I. Health Department issued a statement saying Dullum met with Health Department management that morning and told them of her plan to resign.

“For personal reasons, I have advised Governor deJongh Jr. of my decision to vacate the position at the end of this month,” Dullum said Wednesday in a statement from Health.

Dullum expressed her appreciation to her colleagues in the department who “have welcomed me to the position and have worked with me during my tenure at the helm of the department."

“I am also grateful to both Governor deJongh and Lt. Governor Francis for providing me the opportunity to serve as a member of their administration.”

Dullum departs after a short tenure in office.

DeJongh appointed Dullum to Health’s top post in November 2011. She was confirmed by the Legislature in February and sworn in to office in mid-March, meaning she will have served two and a half months since her swearing-in. Dullum served as acting commissioner from the time of her appointment in November, however.

DeJongh named Darice Plaskett as Acting Health Commissioner, according to Government House. Plaskett served as acting chief executive officer of Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital for many months, after the resignation of former CEO Gregory Calliste and has been with the hospital since 1994.

Plaskett has also been an adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands since 2008. She teaches an associate degree nursing course that introduces nursing students to basic concepts of nursing management and leadership.

“Ms. Plaskett will bring a wealth of experience to the position of health commissioner given her years as a senior executive at the hospital on St. Croix," deJongh said in a statement from Government House. "I look forward to her using her proficiency and experience in key principles of healthcare management to lead the Department of Health,” deJongh said.