New designation enables WIOA funding as ten EMT graduates — including the territory’s first WIOA-sponsored trainees — achieve 100% first-attempt national certification pass rate

The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center (UVI MSC) has been officially added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), a designation administered by the Virgin Islands Workforce Development Board (VIWDB) that expands access to federally supported workforce training opportunities for Virgin Islanders pursuing careers in emergency medical services. The designation allows eligible residents to access Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, a federal workforce development program that supports job training and career advancement, to participate in UVI MSC training programs, reducing financial barriers and creating new pathways to nationally recognized emergency medical credentials.

Coinciding with this designation, UVI MSC proudly announced the successful completion of Cohort 2 of its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program, marking another exciting milestone for emergency care in the Virgin Islands. Ten residents have now completed the rigorous program and are eligible for National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving their communities.

To date, seven of the ten graduates have taken the NREMT examination, all of whom passed on the first attempt, continuing the program’s outstanding record of a 100 percent first-attempt certification pass rate among graduates. Among these high-achieving graduates are the territory’s first WIOA-sponsored trainees to successfully complete UVI MSC’s EMT program and earn national certification. These graduates showcase the power of workforce partnerships in transforming lives and strengthening the Virgin Islands’ emergency medical services.

“This designation represents a major advancement in strengthening the emergency medical workforce pipeline in the Virgin Islands,” said Charlene R. Navarro, executive director of the UVI Medical Simulation Center. “By joining the Eligible Training Provider List, UVI MSC can now connect more Virgin Islanders with federally supported pathways into emergency medical careers while continuing to deliver nationally recognized, high-quality training right here at home.”

The milestone further strengthens UVI MSC’s role in addressing emergency healthcare workforce shortages throughout the territory. During testimony before the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands earlier this year, lawmakers heard concerns regarding the limited number of certified emergency medical providers available to serve residents across the Territory. UVI MSC’s EMT Training Program helps address this workforce need by preparing residents for immediate entry into emergency response careers through simulation-based, nationally aligned training.

“These outcomes validate the University’s investment in building healthcare training infrastructure that responds directly to workforce needs in the Virgin Islands,” said UVI President Dr. Safiya George. “UVI MSC is not only training emergency responders — it is helping build the foundation of a stronger healthcare workforce for the Territory.”

Navarro attributed Cohort 2’s success to a training model intentionally designed around the realities of Virgin Islands residents.

“WIOA funding removes a financial barrier that has historically prevented some qualified individuals from entering healthcare careers,” Navarro said. “At the same time, our program is intentionally designed to support working adults and parents while maintaining rigorous national standards. Every student in this cohort trained on the same high-fidelity simulators, met the same performance expectations, and completed the same national certification process.”

Located on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, UVI MSC serves all Virgin Island residents through simulation-based healthcare education, emergency medical training, and workforce development programs. The Center currently holds multiple training designations, including recognition as a Virgin Islands Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services-designated EMT Training Center, an American Heart Association International Training Center, and a National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Authorized Training Center. The newly awarded ETPL designation further expands opportunities for eligible residents to pursue emergency medical training through workforce development support.

UVI MSC is currently enrolling Cohort 3 of its EMT Training Program. Eligible applicants may apply for WIOA Individual Training Account funding through the Virgin Islands Department of Labor to support program costs. Veterans enrolled through UVI CELL’s continuing education platform may also access additional tuition support options. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact UVI MSC for more information.

About the UVI Medical Simulation Center (UVI MSC)
The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center (UVI MSC), located on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, is the U.S. Virgin Islands’ only dedicated medical simulation center focused on healthcare workforce development, emergency medical training, and clinical skills advancement. With a strong emphasis on emergency management and disaster readiness, UVI MSC prepares healthcare professionals and first responders to effectively respond to mass casualty incidents, natural disasters, and public health emergencies through high-fidelity, scenario-based training.
UVI MSC provides simulation-based education and certification programs for healthcare professionals, first responders, students, and community members across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.
UVI MSC serves as a designated Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Center recognized by the Virgin Islands Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, an authorized International Training Center of the American Heart Association (AHA), a National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Authorized Training Center, and a provider on the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). Through workforce-driven training and strategic partnerships, UVI MSC is strengthening the Territory’s healthcare and emergency response workforce while expanding pathways to nationally recognized credentials for Virgin Islanders.
For more information, course schedules, or Cohort 3 enrollment:
📞 (340) 692-4101

PHILIPSBURG:--- The 2026 hurricane season is here, and while it is predicted to be a below-average hurricane season, NAGICO Insurances is encouraging residents and businesses to be prepared, stay aware, and stay protected.

"We know it’s easy to feel at ease when the weather is calm, particularly when previous storms have passed without affecting us," said Tamisha Wigley, Head of St. Maarten Operations. "Life gets busy, and preparing for hurricane season is not always at the top of our to-do list. However, experience has shown that the best time to prepare is before an immediate threat arises. By taking action early, we can reduce stress, protect what matters most, and be better equipped to respond should a storm impact our islands." 

In an extended comment, Ms. Wigley stated, “Think of insurance as part of your everyday protection plan, not just something to consider when a storm is on the horizon. Just like having emergency supplies and a preparedness plan, the right insurance coverage helps protect what matters most when the unexpected occurs.”

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1^st to November 30^th annually and as we are geographically located right in the middle of the Hurricane Belt, it is important that each year we review and refresh our preparations, like:

• Update your insurance coverage
• Secure your home or business where needed
• Keep emergency supplies ready
• Stay informed through reliable sources for updates

“There is absolutely no reason to panic,” she explained, “because being proactive doesn’t mean expecting the worst; it simply means being ready for whatever comes. As Caribbean people, we become accustomed to seasonal storms; however, every hurricane season is different. So staying alert and prepared helps ensure that you can navigate the season with confidence, and that is where we come in as your preferred insurer. With NAGICO, you are never alone in your preparedness journey. From helping you choose the right coverage before a storm, providing support during uncertain moments, to guiding you through recovery after the storm passes— we are always there when it matters most. Our commitment is simple: NAGICO is here for you before, during, and after the storm. So don’t let familiarity lead to complacency; stay ready. Stay Covered. Stay Confident.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of Sint Maarten invites the public to submit nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award.

The nomination form can be found via the link, https://form.jotform.com/241716306215853 or by scanning the QR code below. Persons have until August 17, 2026, to submit their nominations.

The purpose of the President of Parliament award is to recognize and award young persons of Sint Maarten who have contributed positively to the community and the country, whether it be academically, voluntarily, or through sporting achievements.

The eligibility criteria are:

• The candidate must have Dutch nationality and/or have been legally residing in Sint Maarten for 10 years or more consecutively and have been registered in the Civil Registry for that period of time;
• must be between the ages of 15 and 24 years;
• has made a worthwhile contribution to the development of the community and the country;
• these contributions/achievements must have taken place within the last three years;
• contributions/achievements must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official; and
• must have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and ability to motivate.

An award committee consisting of three Members of Parliament reviews the nominations and selects the recipient of the award in consultation with the President of Parliament. The award is presented yearly to the recipient during the reception ceremony of the Opening of the Parliamentary Year.

Nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award may be submitted by any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that the individual that he or she is nominating meets the abovementioned criteria.

Nominations can also be submitted by delivering a hardcopy to:

The Parliament of Sint Maarten

Attn: Annual President of Parliament Award Committee

Wilhelminastraart 1

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

Or via e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Eight writers with books published by House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) will participate in the 2026 St. Martin Book Fair, with Fabian Adekunle Badejo leading the group as keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony on June 5 at 7:30 pm at Heritage Village in Spring Garden, Colombier.

The eight writers are among about 20 authors, artists, storytellers, and presenters featured at the 23^rd edition of the festival, which has grown into one of the Caribbean’s dynamic international literary events.

Faizah Tabasamu will conduct her always popular workshop on hair, while Tadzio Bervoets, whose debut collection of poems and stories is currently in production at HNP, will lead a workshop on the environment on June 6 at the University of St. Martin (USM).

Wycliffe Smith, whose study of religion in the Windward Islands during Slavery is also in production, will sit on the publishing panel. Rhoda Arrindell will serve as a panelist on education during the Presidents Forum, the symposium component of the festival.

Poet Safiyya Chance, fresh from her successful poetry-centered concert in May, is scheduled to participate in the literary recitals.

The children’s digital activity guide edited by Aishira Cicilia and Shanice Theodule-Felix has been selected as the featured publication for the Main Book Launch and Closing Ceremony on June 6 at 8 pm at USM. Admission to all book fair activities is free.

Under the theme “Soualiga Flambo,” this year’s festival celebrates what organizers describe as the remarkable growth of St. Martin’s literary community, reflected in the unprecedented number of the island’s authors participating in the event. Soualiga, a reputed Amerindian name for St. Martin, translates as “Land of Salt.”

When the St. Martin Book Fair began in 2003, with barely six weeks to organize, the organizers were able to secure more authors from abroad than on-island writers, showcasing just three St. Martin authors, festival founder Shujah Reiph said last week.

“In 2026, we can easily draw from a list of at least 40 St. Martin authors—both self-published writers and those with books released by publishers,” said Cindy Peters, Book Fair Committee member and political science lecturer at Clark Atlanta University.

“With his own study, literary output, and critical engagement with St. Martin literature and cultural production beginning at least 20 years before the book fair and continuing uninterrupted ever since, Badejo’s keynote address may offer a chapter-worthy examination of the fair’s role as a pillar in generating the environment that continues to fuel the growth of St. Martin writing,” said HNP Projects Director Lasana M. Sekou.