The V.I. Diabetes Center of Excellence assembled a core team of professionals with subject matter expertise in Diabetes Care, Business Operations, Public Health, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Neurology, Non-profit Management, Grants Management, Social Work, and Health Services Administration. In addition to paid staff, VIDCOE will work with volunteer community health workers to provide education and support to patients as needed.
Ganesh Prasad, MSC/MBA, is a Public Health specialist with 20+ years of managing and leading large public health projects [$1.5 Billion USG Funding], designing financial management systems, mentoring and training 80+ staff in over 23+ countries and a solid track-record for effectively monitoring corporate compliance in unstable regions around the world. He has also worked many years with CDC, USAID , and Pharmaceutical Companies in drug development & testing , Public Health Research, and Health system strengthening.
Dr. Prasad is a Medical Doctor with over 40 years of experience in emergency, family, and pediatric medicine. A major focus on compassionate, patient-centered care. Created a multispecialty facility on-site with specialists from Cardiology, Neurology, and Urology.
Isatou is a Public Health professional with over 10+ years of working in public health, social behavioral change communication, marketing, and strategic public/private partnership growth. She has worked internationally with Johns Hopkins University and has held many leadership roles throughout her global career.
Naita Salmon is a Nurse Practitioner with 34 years of experience in the medical profession, and a Certified Health and Life Conscious Healing Coach. I’m originally from Panama, Central America. I received my formal medical training at California State University, Long Beach as an Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in Women’s Health. On September 17, 2002, I relocated to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands where I now call home.
Nakia Francis, AGPC-NP, is a board-certified Adult- Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has experience in a multitude of medical settings, including the intensive care unit, the emergency room, medical-surgical, rehabilitation, and long-term care. With clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and geriatric care, Nakia has been afforded the opportunity to care for patients in all stages of life. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing at Walden University and received her nursing degree from Ohio University School of Nursing in Athens, Ohio.
Dr. Sagiv is a cardiovascular imaging specialist. Dr. Sagiv graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania receiving his Bachelors of Science in Bioengineering. He acquired his medical degree from Columbia University/ Ben Gurion University of the Negev - Medical School for International Health. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Dr. Sagiv is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, CT Angiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and Echocardiography.
Alex Falleck NASM an experienced personal trainer and a certified nutrition coach. Alex has been working in the fitness and personal training world and has helped clients lose weight, build muscle, and increase insulin sensitivity through muscle gain and proper diet and exercise regimens. Alex has also provided meal preparation to his clients depending on their fitness goals and has also designed safe and well tolerated exercise programs for persons of all ages.
Alex has been a bodybuilder and coach for 10 Years. In addition to being a certified NASM trainer, he was a Clinical Director for a hormone clinic in Orlando FL specializing in in Hormone Replacement Therapy for both men and women.
Ruth is a therapeutic massage therapist that works on improving clinical outcomes with patients with diabetes and neurological complications. She is a firm believer in mind body connection and has worked with several patients that have experienced blood flow issues, peripheral neuropathy, and several other aliments involving muscle and joint pain. Recently Ruth has been working with several Neurology patients and has vast experience in clinical therapeutic massage. Patients that do have peripheral neuropathy or blood flow issues can benefit from this type of service. A referral is required.
Michelle is a practicing Endocrinologist in the USVI for over 25+ years. She has worked in a variety of different capacities during this time and currently works at the Charles Harwood Hospital and also retains her own practice. She has decades of experience treating diabetes disorders and brings a wealth of knowledge to our clinical team. Dr. Dizon will provide advanced endocrinology support for those patients that need it at the center and will provide on-going diabetes specific clinical support to our providers. She sees patients by referral and you must be a client of the center to be seen here at the Center.
Originally from Michigan, Dr. Megan Russell is a 2012 graduate of Ohio Northern University. After graduation, she practiced for three years as a clinical staff pharmacist at the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System before moving to St. Croix. She is very passionate about helping the people of this community lead healthier lives and advancing healthcare in the territory. When not at work, you can find her on the golf course, running along the north shore, or on an adventure with her dog, Abu.
Dr. Megan Russell is currently a staff Pharmacist at Neighborhood Pharmacy and has also extensive experience teaching Diabetes Self-Management Classes. Megan will be co-teaching our Medication Adherence classes and will also be part of our technical working group.
Dr. Henry has her own practice, The Prevention Specialists LLC, and over 25 years of experience in educating, encouraging, and supporting people as they work toward improving their health. She has a Doctorate of Public Health specializing in the area of Preventive Care. She is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES), and Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C).
Dr. Henry will be providing advanced nutrition counseling at the center and will offer one-on-one sessions with clients at her private practice at the Sunny Isle Medical Center.
VIDCOE © 2022. All Rights Reserved
4040 La Grande Princesse Suite 3
Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
info@vidcoe.org
(340) 208-0260