Core Team

Dr. Sheen’s public health experience extends 25 years, as she has had oversight of public health programs at all levels within a public health environment. Most recently she held a series of progressively responsible public health roles for the Virgin Islands, culminating in Commissioner of Health, where she was a driving influence in transforming public health policy and practice across the territory. Her efforts included Medicaid expansion, which increased access to healthcare for over 30,000 persons, behavioral health services for children under the age of 21 and she implementation of the first ever Medicaid Management Information System in partnership with the State of West Virginia. Sheen led wide-scale agency modernization and increased public health emergency responsiveness, evolution of the Virgin Islands department of health’s public-facing messages to include a deep focus on preventative health strategies, and dramatically expanded the use of public communication channels.

Through all initiatives, her focus has been on achieving public health improvements that promote and protect the health of all residents. One example of her leadership is the passage of historic legislation, “The Virgin Islands Smoke-free Act”. Another example is her recent work with the US Health and Human Services Bureau of Primary Health Care, where she was the recipient of a HRSA Administrator Award for the development of a training and technical assistance repository to house all health center related national trainings.

Dr. Sheen served as Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s Policy Advisor on Health and Human Services where she leads seven of the 11 initiatives related to the Governor’s Healthier Horizons initiative. Conceptualized and established new initiatives that seek to increase access to healthcare and improve the healthcare infrastructure: Healthy Housing Initiative, Office of Health Information Technology, the Association Health Plan and Telehealth Act.

Dr. Sheen holds a Doctorate Public Health and a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Prevention Science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; a Graduate Certificate of Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

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.

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. Gail Nunlee-Bland is Chief of Endocrinology and Director of the Diabetes Treatment Center at Howard University Hospital. She is Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine. Dr. Nunlee-Bland is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Nunlee-Bland has received several grants to explore the use of technology to improve diabetes outcomes and patient engagement in underserved minority communities in Washington, DC. She was the recipient of the 2010 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist – Outstanding Endocrine Service to Minority Communities Award. Dr. Nunlee-Bland is passionate about improving access to quality diabetes care. This passion has translated into the American Diabetes Association Recognized Diabetes education program. The Diabetes Treatment Center is a resource for patients and practitioners to have access to the expertise of nutritionists, diabetes educators, and diabetes specialists.

Carlos Castillo, APRN-CNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing at Barry University and received his nursing degree also from Barry University School of Nursing in Miami Shores, Florida. Over the years he has work in a variety of medical settings, including neurology, medical-surgical and rehabilitation. With clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care, Neurology and Orthopedics, Carlos is passionate about delivering excellent and compassionate care to all his patients. When he is not at work, Carlos is an avid fisherman and loves spending time by the sea.

Sumi Tohan is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and certified specialist in obesity and weight management. She has over a decade of experience in the field of nutrition. She completed her undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University and her graduate degree from Columbia University. She grew up outside of Washington, D.C. but has spent much of her career working with tribal organizations in rural Alaska and Navajo Nation before relocating to Phoenix. She believes in a holistic, person-centered approach to wellness and holds certifications as a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, Functional Exercise Trainer, and Native Youth Fitness Leader. She encourages a balanced approach to movement and a healthy relationship with food to address a variety of chronic conditions while minimizing distress. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and traveling to learn more about other cultures.

Desiree James is a nationally certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDES). She is certified by Emory University Diabetes Training and Technical Assistance Training Center as a Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach. Mrs. James has 28 years of experience in Nursing and is well-regarded by the St. Croix community as an exceptional diabetes educator.

Mrs. James’ exemplary career includes roles such as Nursing Instructor for the Department of Education, where she developed a nursing curriculum and taught while mentoring student nurses during clinical hours.

She served as a nursing supervisor with Mentor Clinical Care, where she was a critical link between hospital management and clinical care, overseeing patient-care operations, assigning and monitoring staff nurses, and identifying and implementing quality improvements. Mrs. James now serves as an RN Care Manager at the Department of Veterans Affairs on St. Croix, where she is responsible for managing high-risk and chronically ill patients to promote effective education, self- management support, and timely healthcare delivery to achieve optimal
quality and financial outcomes.

She is a patient advocate and financial steward, monitoring the utilization of resources while implementing health promotion and risk reduction strategies. Mrs. James is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Nurses Association VI Chapter. We are happy to welcome Mrs. James as the newest member of the VIDCOE team.

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.