St Thomas, USVI, (August 4, 2011) - The Caribbean Exploratory
NIMHD Research Center for Excellence at the University of the
Virgin Islands will present the inaugural Donna M. Christensen
Lecture Series during its Fourth Annual Health Disparities
Institute, October 19-21, on the island of St Thomas in the
U.S.Virgin Islands. The lecture series is named for the Honorable
Donna M. Christensen, eighth term member of the U.S. House of
Representatives, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dr.
Christensen is the first female physician in the history of the
U.S. Congress, the first woman to represent an offshore Territory,
and the first female delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CERC Director Dr. Gloria Callwood will chair the conference. "We
are very fortunate to have as a part of our community a person such
as Delegate Christensen, whose life work has been devoted to
improving the health and welfare of Virgin Islanders," Dr. Callwood
said. "The Donna M. Christensen Lecture Series, which will be
inaugurated at our October Institute, is a fitting tribute in
recognition of the important contributions she is making in the
area of health for people in the Virgin Islands, the nation and
around the world, particularly people of color. We are pleased to
be able to acknowledge this grand lady in this manner."
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation Dr. Elsie Scott stated that, "Congresswoman
Christensen is deserving of this honor and recognition." According
to Dr. Scott, "Congresswoman Christensen, as chair of the CBC
Health Brain Trust, aids the Foundation in maintaining its
authority of minority health policy leadership on Capitol Hill. She
provides the CBCF the authority and foundation needed around health
issues, legislation and advocacy to improve health outcomes
globally. She speaks with knowledge, authority and passion to
positively affect people of color globally while speaking to
personal issues that have longstanding consequences." Dr. Scott
thanks the University of the Virgin Islands for their leadership in
recognizing Congresswoman Christensen through this named lecturer
for her high achievement, dedication and commitment and love of
people.
Dr. Christensen received her bachelor of science degree from St.
Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind., and her medical degree from
George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.
She has held roles in the U.S. Virgin Islands of physician, medical
director (of the Juan Luis Hospital on St. Croix), territorial
assistant commissioner of health, acting commissioner of health;
delegate to the Democratic National Conventions for the 1984, 1988,
and 1992 presidential elections; and as a television journalist.
Dr. Christensen was elected as a Democrat to the 105th Congress
(1997) and to the seven succeeding sessions of Congress. She has
sponsored or co-sponsored nearly 500 bills and resolutions.
The Donna M. Christensen Inaugural Lecture Series is established to
recognize an individual or organization that promotes or improves
the health of individuals, families, communities or populations by
addressing timely issues in health policy, treatment, research or
advocacy. The CERC Executive Committee will announce the inaugural
lecturer within the next two weeks.
For more information about the Caribbean Exploratory Research
Center and the Fourth Health Disparities Institute, visit www.cercinstitute.org or call
(404) 559-6191.
About the Caribbean Exploratory NIMHD Research Center
for Excellence...
The School of Nursing at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI)
grant (#5- P20MD 002286) from the National Institute on Minority
Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) established the Caribbean
Exploratory NIMHD Research Center for Excellence, hereafter
referred to as the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center (CERC).
The CERC will provide opportunities for a concerted focus on access
to care, lack of health insurance, low levels of education, high
levels of poverty and a growing immigrant population that may
represent significant barriers to health care, health promotion,
and prevention activities in the Virgin Islands as well as the
unique intersections of island history, context, culture,
demographics, socio-economic status and other factors that might
contribute to health disparities within the islands.