PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI), commenced on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, with a project regarding the mangrove trees in the area of the Prince Bernard Bridge.
The primary objective of the project is to improve traffic safety at this intersection.
It has been determined after an on-site assessment once the works started on May 25th that certain vegetation within 25 meters of all four corners of the Prince Bernhard Bridge will be completely removed.
In the coming weeks, the cleared areas will be replanted with young green buttonwood mangroves and native vegetation that will be maintained on a regular basis in order to ensure a line of site for traffic safety and an aesthetic view into the pond for enjoyment and recreation.
Motorists have already experienced the traffic safety improvements by having better visibility.
The Ministry of VROMI has received a number of communications and observed public comments with respect to this project and would like to thank all those for their views and input.
The ministry welcomes a continued dialogue with the community related to any public sector project or activities regarding any concerns or recommendations.
Persons can submit their views, concerns, or recommendations via the following email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

~American University of the Caribbean and Ross University School of Medicine Graduates Help Fill Most Critical Specialties Like Primary Care, 26% are of Underrepresented Races and Ethnicities~

MIAMI:--- Adtalem Global Education’s (NYSE: ATGE) medical schools, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) celebrated more than 750 medical school graduates during their commencement ceremonies in Miami. Graduates from Adtalem’s medical schools join a network of more than 275,000 Adtalem alumni, with 22,000 medical school alumni.
AUC and RUSM combined achieved strong residency placements with a 95% first-time eligible residency attainment rate for 2021-22 graduates and expected graduates (as of April 5, 2022). AUC’s rate of 96% and RUSM’s of 95% are among the highest in Adtalem’s history and represent the fourth consecutive year at 90% or higher residency attainment. Of the combined current and former graduates at AUC and RUSM who secured residencies in 2022, 74% will enter primary care specialties helping to combat the critical physician shortage, which is expected to reach up to 124,000 by 2034.
Adtalem’s two medical schools continue to address the challenging workforce shortages in healthcare. Promoting access to medical care and health equity are key focus areas of Adtalem’s medical schools, and Adtalem addresses this by increasing the diversity of its medical school students. In 2022, 26% of Adtalem’s medical school graduates are of a race or ethnicity underrepresented in medicine, of which more than 100 identify as Black or African American.
“Critical healthcare needs and disparities existed across the country before the pandemic, and with COVID-19, underrepresented populations have been disproportionately impacted,” said John Danaher, MD, president, Adtalem Medical and Veterinary. “We are proud of our medical schools’ commitment to providing a high-quality medical school education to an increasingly diverse physician workforce.”
Both medical school ceremonies included student speakers, including AUC graduate and prior student government leader Christina Arche-Perez, MD, a Miami native. Arche-Perez, who is the first doctor in her family, will soon begin her residency training in pediatrics at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, her top choice program. RUSM student Uzoma Dike, MD, a Houston native, addressed his peers and will be starting his family medicine residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch this summer.
Keynoting AUC’s ceremony was AUC Class of 2006 alum Steven Jackson, MD, who is a program director and spinal cord injury specialist at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., and a patient experience and assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His research focuses on disparities and advancing health equity, a core tenet of his education at AUC.
At RUSM’s commencement, Selwyn O. Rogers Jr., MD, MPH, FACS, addressed the graduates. He is a widely respected surgeon, public health expert, and founding director of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center, where he works with leaders in the city's trauma network to expand trauma care on Chicago's South Side. Dr. Rogers has published numerous articles related to health disparities and the impact of race and ethnicity on surgical outcomes.
Participants in this year’s commencement ceremony from RUSM and AUC were born in 65 countries and 45 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. Florida, California, and New York were among the most common states graduates hailed from.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As of Monday, May 16, 2022, Parliament has been displaying artwork by Ms. Maqueda Jackson.
Born and raised on the island of Sint Maarten with ties to Anguilla and St. Kitts, Ms. Jackson shared that her art journey began with her parents allowing her to be expressive through art. She was given the opportunity at an early age by her devoted parents to showcase her artwork on the walls of their home, this enabled Ms. Jackson’s creativity to blossom. Ms. Jackson attended the St. Maarten Academy High School where she took art classes as a subject under the Art Teacher Mr. Thomas.
Ms. Jackson’s passion for painting, creating, and poetry writing was never caged rather, she was always given the freedom throughout her childhood and adolescent years to express herself which she showcased through her art. She is one of the many writers published by House of Nehesi Publishers, “Where I See The Sun” (contemporary poetry 2013). She is also a Spoken Word Artist for The Poets Lounge. Her work has been in exhibitions in Anguilla, Sint. Maarten, and showcased for Carifesta 2008.
Besides growing up creating decorations and cards as a child, Ms. Jackson was introduced to the art of crochet while attending The Methodist Agogic Centre. She created crochet and beaded jewelry along with clutches, and items for home decor, which were all made with passion and the love Ms. Jackson shared for the art of creating.
Ms. Jackson’s love for art has grown and evolved over the years. She often expresses that thrilling feeling of creating an idea and seeing it to come to fruition.
Her passion for painting lies within the areas of imaginative, abstract, and at times suggestively sensual, with all pieces showcasing a vibrant array of colors. Her inspiration at times comes from an inwardly feeling from within and her admiration for God’s creations.
Ms. Maqueda Jackson expressed that she is thankful to God for her gifts and to her parents for allowing them to cultivate.
The House of Parliament is displaying eight beautiful paintings of this talented inspired creative designer, artist, and poet. Works displayed are entitled; Heliconia, Molded-In Love, Armageddon, Love Birds, Heart of Roses, Love Motions, Old Chinese Tree, and Heart Blooming.
From May 2022 – to November 2022, the artwork of Ms. Magueda Jackson will be prominently displayed in the lobby area, library, and conference room of the House of Parliament.
The Parliament of Sint Maarten exhibits the work of different artists. Prior to Ms. Jackson, the work of artists; Sir Rolando Richardson, Roberto Arrindell, Ms. Lucina “La Rich” Audain, Ms. Beverly Mae, Ms. Leola Cotton, Students of the Art Café Foundation, Ms. Tessel Verheij, and Mrs. Lindy Jacquet were displayed.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Initially established in 2019, the Second Chance Task Force (SCTF) is comprised of individuals from the House of Detention and Prison, Division of Labor Affairs & Social Services, and Foundation Judicial Institutes St. Maarten.

The aim of the task force is to create opportunities for justice-involved persons to reintegrate into society whether or not they have been incarcerated, advocate on their behalf, and promote awareness regarding the challenges of this target group.

One of the first awareness initiatives to be organized by the task force is a panel discussion with the theme: “Let’s Act Together: Exploring Opportunities and Second Chances.” With this event, the task force aims to provide information and build awareness for the community of St. Maarten regarding the rehabilitation and reintegration process of justice-involved persons.

The moderator for the event is Mr. Nigel Schultz, a professional in the field of behavioral sciences. The event will include a panel of experts in this field.

Dr. Tasheena Thomas – Director Turning Point, Mr. Geert Steeghs - Public prosecutor, Ms. Cynthia Filemon-Clarke – Director Foundation Judicial Institute, Ms. Natasha Richardson – Department Labor Affairs and Social Services, Mr. Steven Carty – House of Detention and Prison, Mr. Rogelio Koeiman – Ambassador Inmates Association.

Each person will present their expertise in different aspects of the lives of justice-involved persons and their impact on society.

The panel discussion can be viewed via the St. Maarten Government Facebook Page and will be aired via the government radio station 107.9FM on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Interested stakeholders and the community of Sint Maarten are invited to participate in the event through the submission of comments and/or questions.

The task force during the coming months will also host consultation sessions with key stakeholders and community-based organizations to develop other initiatives that can provide much-needed assistance to justice-involved persons, their community, and family members, as they too are impacted.

For more information on the Second Chance Task Force, people can email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..