Editor’s note: After just two years on the job at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital in St. Croix, former chief environmental health officer of Dominica Raphael Joseph has been recognized for his work. He was recently featured in a newspaper on that island. Below is the full text of the feature.
At Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, the Safety Department is watching out for everyone’s well-being from the time they enter hospital grounds until they leave.
The safety department is under the purview of Safety Officer Raphael Joseph, who directs the Environment of Care (EOC) Program. The EOC program has oversight authority on hazardous waste and materials, security, emergency issues and the utilities departments.
Joseph, working with managers of those departments, makes sure that they all conform to plans and policies. He said all the departments have their own individual plans, statutes, and reports. He works with facilities management teams in the Biomedical Engineering, Maintenance, Security, and Housekeeping departments.
“We are obligated to conform to and follow all regulations of OSHA, Medicaid and Medicare, the Joint Commission Hospital Accreditation and national regulatory agencies,” Joseph said Friday in his office at JFL.
The Safety Department staff routinely visits departments that directly impact patient care to assess safety risks and monitor conditions. Joseph says they regularly do fire drills making sure all response teams are ready.
Joseph says they are working on enhancing JFL’s capacity to respond to a hazardous waste emergency. A hazmat team was recently organized and trained and the front-line staff is getting emergency training.
He added they work closely with the Department of Health and VITEMA and other agencies and are committed to being transparent.
“The public puts a lot of trust in us,” Joseph says. “We want to see a well-respected institution meeting the needs of the community, where people feel secure and comfortable and get the best care possible.”
Joseph joined the staff of JFL two years ago, relocating to St. Croix from Dominica where he was chief environmental health officer.
he work for 30 years and was never praised for it and he just work for 2years ans see what happen eh beh weh
congratulation Fingul on your achievements you came from a very good home and you have done your best…..you have made the country proud but most of all your village people we people from wesley..once again congrats to u…
Well done Joe, CONGRATULATION. Keep up the good work.
My congratulations, all those of us who worked with you know your capabilities. This is just to let the rest of the world know. Definitely not surprised.
Other countries give job and recognize ur good workers! In Dominica we first ask: “are you Dominican?” …. if not, forget about it your qualification go and keep the door, no seat in an office for you; and the offices r getting full with lazy and unsuitable workers. Result = inefficiency
Congrats Joe
A worker will always be a worker. I am not at all surprised at your achievement. You have proven over and over that you have what it takes to foster environmental change and promote public health.
eric
congratulations mr.jopseph… we are all happy for you… regardless of what the h8rz think… continue on ur journey.. make dominica proud
Well congratulation’s to Mr Joseph on his accomplishments but that does nothing for Dominica. The virgin Islands are a drain on the Carribbean in that they recruit our best and brightest just like America is a drain on the rest of the world. The best resource any country has is it’s people because you never know what they can do if given a chance and the proper tool’s. We must find a way to keep our best and help them prosper otherwise we will not benefit from our education that we provide to them .
The proplem is that Dominica fails to recognize the good in its people and give them the necessary promotions. Instead they are blinded by politics, putting all the square pegs in round holes or the other way around.The intelligent talented people leave to broaden their horizons abd develop their potentials to its fullest capacities. If only our bosses and supervisors and permanent secretaries could see past the politics, Dominica would retain more of its brains. Congrats Mr. joseph
Congratulations mr.Joseph,the credit belongs to God and you,many of us left Dominica due to lack of opportunity,most of us have been given the chance abroad to accomplish our dreams and goals,we love our country Dominica but love does not pay the bills,I am dying to return home,but to do what?watch the neighbor and then watch again some more? you can’t take home your things that you have worked so hard for because they charge you too much in customs,so you just continue to make your home abroad,very sad,again I say congratulations Mr Joseph,good Job.Dominica do something to keep your young people,enough is enough.
Oh I remember this man, they say a man is never king in his country…go on and make yourself proud…
Congrats cous on a job well done!
when i saw that face i said he looks like a dominican but did not care to ask. I must say that most of we Dominicans tend to make the best of our life to better our future when we migrate to the countries that has many opportunities..Congratulations and all the very best her on out.. I must give Dominica Source for taking the time if not on a regular to praise our fellow dominicans who are accomplishing big goals in their live and to ANONYMOUS….I DONT AGREE WITH U AS A MATTER OF FACT I WUD NEVA GET TO KNOW THIS IS I DID NOT TAKE THE TIME TO VISIT DOMINICA SOURCE. THERE ARE MANY PPL FROM THE LOWER CARIBBEAN THAT DONT GET PRAISED FOR THE GOOD THAT THEY DO BY THE MEDIA OR PEOPLE THEY WORK WITH BUT ALWAYS QUICK TO MENTIONED OUR NATIONALITY WHEN A CRIME IS COMMITTED FOR EG. THERE WAS THIS YOUNG GUY WHO IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE MOST WANTED BY VI COPS BECAUSE HE SHOT A POLICE OFFICER WAS KILLED ON THE NEWS A PHOTO WAS SHOWM WITH ALL HIS INFO N NOT FORGETTING P.O.B…DOMINICA BUT WHEN THEIR VERY OWN NATIVE VIRGINS ISLANDERS COMMIT SOME OF THE MOST HORRIFYING CRIMES NOT A PIC NOR NATIONALITY IS REALEASED….N THE PUBLIC IS LEFT TO WONDER OR INVESTIGATE THEMSELVES….
congrats mr joseph you made your family and the village of wesley proud
Congrats cousin! so very proud of you!
Now you know he is not your cousin lolsmh
when we hear people doing good is the only time we want to take ownership of them???????? he from wesley! he from dominica! he was working with me! and the list goes on! Dominicans make me so UPSET!!! all time you gwayehing with your good ideas nobody interested, as soon as you get the break to find your success everyone know you! it reminds me of the little chicken that could! who will help me bake the cake????? Not I said tout moun a chou yo!!!
I agree with you sir, go on to greener pastures and leave those unappreciative Dominicans to powi! when they hear about your success abroad they quick to give praise, but did you hear the same praise when you was here building Dominica?? just like some FATHERS I know. never help to raise their children but when their children doing good all of a sudden they remember they have a son or daughter. but is a good kick they does deserve, to serve example for other negligent fathers……Dominicans fight for your people, so that they receive their flowers right here at home!
Oh, I almost forget congrats Mr. Joseph….
Congrats to you Mr. Joseph! It’s a pitty we continue to export people like yourself to other countries because thanks to Skeritt and his government, we do not have anything in place for people like you. So let’s give credit to Skeritt, because it is due him.
Did I just read that he was chief environment health officer? Did he get a green card?Once you have green card is a few months you can remain in your country. You must go to uncle Sam. I was in a good job and had to give it up because my daughter filed for me. I tried to beat the system and it caught up with me. Skerrit had nothing to do with it. I am not a labourite.
What happen to that girl there nor. Is that why your sister always go to the states to keep her green card current????
Congrats..
You making yourself and your family and st croix proud, not dominica. You had to go overseas to reach your full potential and thats great, but a loss to dominica.
Its sad how all the ambitious and intelligent people have to leave to achieve what they desire. Their country has let them down…..
DAMN RIGHT NOT DOMINICA, THEY HAD HIS USE WHAT DID THEY DO?,THANK GOD HE LEFT IN TIME, “PRESS DOWN’WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM. GO FINGIE GO!!!! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU. BLESS UP
I am so proud of you Fingie. You’re always a very decent young man. Wesley is proud of you for the strides you continue to make where ever you reside. Mr. Foster and your entire family should have a smile on their faces. Congrats. From WESLEY with love.
I hope you told him that when he was here!
Fingie knows that I am always on his side. Me telling him congrats is not new to him. He is very much aware how we feel about in in Wesley. Please relax
Congrats Fingie! Keep it up and continue to make your family, Wesley and Dominica proud!
Alas…all our human resources being used by America. We are being drained! Sad!!! But Congrats Mr. Joseph
SO VERY PROUD OF YOU.KEEP IT UP :-D.KNEW YOU WERE GONNA MAKE YOUR MARK SOMEDAY.
Way to go. Congratulations! Its only just begun.
Congrats Mr. Joseph. You made Dominica and Wesley proud.
well done mr. joseph.
But isn’t he now an American even though he comes from Dominics? We have now changed the thinking of all this. Before we used to call someone “Dominican” even though they come from Dominican parentage and born overseas but we change it to suit the times,just hypocrisy.
For your information, I would be surprise that this fine gentleman is an American. I know him growing up in Wesley ever since I know myself. Furthermore, the US territory is not like Dominica – you would typically need to be in the Country for at least five years before you can apply for US citizenship – NOT like Dominica where you don’t even have to rest foot on D/ca to be citizen.
GIVE THAT MAN TOOLS TO WORK AND YOU WILL GET RESULTS, GOOD JOB PARTNER
yes kudos Joseph that’s why we continue to struggle in Dominica because we frustrate all our good persons and they leave making stela contributions elsewhere.
I totally agree with you. This govt doesn’t appreciate people with integrity and intelligence. They cannot be bought or silenced, so off they go to another country where they are appreciated and applauded.
True say! couldnt he be here doing the same thing? but he was forced to leave, and leave all of us who are trained and educated will do; am following his footsteps very soon
Im right behind you brother, I passed my university assessment today! YESSSSSSSSSSS soon I’m out of the barrel of crabs! long live HONOR and INTEGRITY!!
wow”Congratulations hard work really pays and i am happy that you are being recognised for it.Hats of.