The Virgin Islands Medical Society (VIMS) was formed in 1955 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is the duly authorized and recognized body by our Legislature that officially represents physicians of the U.S. Virgin Islands. VIMS is affiliated with both the American Medical Association and the National Medical Association. VIMS is the state chapter for both associations. The purposes of this Society are to bring into one organization the physicians of the Virgin Islands, so that by frequent meetings and full and frank interchange of views we may secure unity and harmony in every phase of our labor. We strive to elevate and make effective the opinions of the profession in all scientific, legislative, public health, material, and social affairs, to the end that medical science may be advanced and the profession may receive that respect and support within its own ranks and from the community. To unite with similar organizations in other states and territories of the United States to constitute the American Medical Association and National Medical Association. This Society shall have general direction of the affairs of the medical profession of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our utmost responsibility remains our ability to further the welfare of the patients entrusted to our care. Every legally registered physician [and surgeon] residing in the Virgin Islands of the United States who is of good moral and professional standing and who does not support or practice or claim to practice an exclusive system of medicine, shall be eligible for membership. A candidate for membership shall complete and submit a VIMS application to the Board of Censors of the VIMS. The application must be accompanied by the admission fee of $150.00 and must be endorsed by two members of the Virgin Islands Medical Society. It shall be referred to the Board of Censors, who shall inquire into the standing of the applicant, assure themselves that he or she is duly registered according to the laws of t he U.S. Virgin Islands and report at the next regular meeting of this Society. Our policy has been to alternate presidents between St. Thomas and St. Croix. VIMS meets quarterly and alternates meetings between St. Thomas and St. Croix. President: Ronald C. Nimmo, M.D. President Elect: Raymond Cintron, M.D. Secretary: Gilbert Commissiong, M.D. Treasurer: Alfred O. Heath, M.D. Executive Secretary/Treasurer: Cora L.E. Christian, M.D.,MPH Past President: O. Anne Treasure, M.D. The Virgin Islands Medical Society sponsors an Annual Physician of the Year Banquet to honor a physician who has given outstanding medical service to the Virgin Islands community and to raise funds for the scholarship fund. Past Recipients of the Physician of the Year Awards are: 1985 Roy Anduze, M.D. 1986 Andre Galiber, Sr., M.D. 1987 Warren C. Smith, M.D. 1988 Jutta Joseph, M.D. 1990 Roy L. Schneider, M.D. 1991 Randall N. James, M.D. 1992 Sylvester O. McDonald, M.D. 1993 Jose F. Poblete, M.D. 1994 Alfred O. Heath, M.D. 1995 Ralph A. DeChabert, M.D. 1996 Kab K. Kim, M.D. 1997 Tomas C. Evangelista, M.D. 1998 John S. Moorehead, M.D. 1999 Wook Suh, M.D. 2000 Leighmin Lu, M.D. 2002 Antonio F. Dizon, M.D. 2003 Cora L.E. Christian, M.D.,MPH     In 2005, VIMS celebrated its 50th Anniversary VIMS gives at least one $1,000 annual scholarship to a Virgin Islands student who is enrolled in medical school. Priority is given to graduates from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). However, if there are no applicants from UVI, then consideration is given to any Virgin Islands student who is in medical school. Former recipients include: 1991 Robert F. Centeno 1993 Risa Nielsen Michelle M. Dizon Dexter M. Frederick 1995 Schniqua Bryan Deslyn George Gilbert Comissiong 1996 Pearl Christie Sung Bai Kim Glenville Morton 1997 Dorette Noorhasan 1998 Mariesela Noorhasan 1999 David Augustin Doward Marcella Nunez-Smith