Since its inception in 2000, the Virgin Islands CareForce Project, a joint civilian-military initiative, created to provide health services to individuals residing in medically underserved communities has been enormously successful. The communities targeted to receive the health services are primarily the elderly population.

The Indiana Air National Guard originally initiated the project in 1996. As a means of fulfilling the success of the project in Indiana inspired us, the Virgin Islands Medical Institute, Inc. (VIMI) to collaborate with the Virgin Islands Air National Guard, the Virgin Islands Air and Army National Guard and the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services to perform a similar project locally. Virgin Islands CareForce 2000 was designed to provide annual military training for National Guard personnel, who set up the sites and provided the health screenings. It was the first time such a partnership had been tried in the USA.

As a facilitator and vital participant in this vital community project, we, the Virgin Islands Medical Institute, Inc, (VIMI) is a non-profit health care quality improvement organization, contracted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist in the improvement of health care provided in the territory.

The purpose of the Virgin Islands CareForce Project is to increase the provision of preventive health services to seniors. The specific health services provided are influenza and pneumonia immunizations, blood pressure screenings, blood glucose screenings, dental, vision, and foot exams. All services are provided free of charge to the Virgin Islands residents.

The success of the first CareForce project inspired all of us to work towards improving and strengthening future events. Our partners since the onset have included AARP of the Virgin Islands, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Immunization Program, American Legion Post 85, St. Croix and for the last three years HOVENSA LLC. Additionally, St. Croix Clinical Lab, Cranston/Dottin Lab on St. Thomas, St. Thomas Radiology and Imaging Center on St. Croix, have partnered with us to offer additional services, such as diabetic specific screening tests and low cost mammograms to our seniors. Other partners include Pfizer Corporation, Practical Nursing programs on St Croix and Nursing Programs on St. Thomas, Islands Dairies and PUB VI and numerous enthusiastic volunteers.