The current status, or actual lack of status, of the UVI proposed medical school has people in the community talking about the elephant in the room.

Why did UVI take on this dream project without a basic understanding that a community of 105,000 people may not be able to create and sustain it?

UVI has postponed its second attempt at accreditation for the medical school due to, among other things:

No scholarship funding in place to reduce the debt burden of students

Failure to show pipeline programs are in place to ensure student diversity

Faculty and student handbooks are incomplete.

Insufficient support staff had been hired

Failure to raise more than $3 million of the needed $10 million.

Application curriculum committee membership was not consistent with the schools bylaws.

UVI appointed too many full professors to the medical school.

The lack of realistic progress caused the dean of the proposed medical school, Benjamin Sachs, to leave his job and the territory. He was quoted as telling UVI President David Hall that he wasnt doing anything so there was no reason for him to be in the territory.

He pledged to return when the finances are in better shape. He also is not taking a paycheck, to help them financially.

The community doesnt mind our leaders dreaming big. We dont mind having a wish list of things for the future of the Virgin Islands. What the people do mind is taking on projects on a wing and a prayer when the basics arent in place.

In a community that is struggling with its budget on a consistent basis, always seeking funds and taking from Peter to pay Paul, there were more than a few raised eyebrows when the talk of a medical school began.

And now we wonder: What are the ongoing costs and monies spent at this time?

President Hall has said he desnt think the lack of fundraising suggests there is a lack of interest in supporting the medical school. Perhaps he needs to consider his thoughts about the support that he feels is out there for this endeavor.

The community is aware that medical schools work closely with hospitals, and our two hospitals themselves need attention and are in financial difficulty. But for now, isnt funding a medical school a case of throwing good money after bad?

UVI has been making debt service payments on its loan for the medical school, according to President Hall. Shouldnt the university re-think this spending of funds?

Perhaps one day, the Virgin Islands will be on firm footing to push through its dream of a medical school, but now does not appear to be the right time.

Maria Ferreras, St. Thomas

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UVI's dream of creating a medical school could be turning into a financial nightmare - Virgin Islands Daily News