St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

SMMC performs first DIEP flap breast surgery.

smmcbreastteam16042024 CAY HILL:--- International Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon Dr. Marlon Buncamper recently performed the first-ever deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast surgery at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Dr. Buncamper, shadowing Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marleen Meesters and a team of skilled operating room team, performed the surgery to restore the breast shape of a patient who previously underwent a mastectomy as a breast cancer treatment. The patient has since made a full recovery.
The seven-hour-long, complex surgery involved taking a section of tissue from the abdomen and relocating it to create a new breast. The skin, fat, and vessels from the abdomen were transposed using microsurgery (intricate surgery using miniaturized instruments and a microscope) to the breast area, resulting in new breasts that feel and react naturally because it is made of the patient’s tissue. It is called a DIEP flap surgery after the blood vessel that runs through the abdominal muscle. This is a newer procedure that has fewer long-term risks and complications than alternative options for breast reconstruction.
Dr. Buncamper, an accomplished plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon, has roots in St. Maarten but practices in Belgium and the Netherlands. In 2020, he joined SMMC as a rotational specialist, providing consultations and performing surgeries a few times per year. He was also instrumental in establishing the Plastic Surgery Department of SMMC in 2020. Upon the completion of the surgery, which is considered top-of-the-line in breast reconstruction, Dr. Buncamper remarked, “I’m proud to have been part of this monumental surgery, which is the first on St. Maarten. I’m happy that we could give a woman in St. Maarten the opportunity to regain her femininity and not have to leave the island to do it. I hope we can help many more women in the Dutch Caribbean as well”.
SMMC CEO Dr. Felix Holiday congratulated the team, saying, “It fills us with immense pride that we can now expand the services we provide by adding this new procedure. Dr. Buncamper, Dr. Meesters, and the entire operating room team have given this patient a new outlook on life, and we look forward to providing many other women who have suffered through breast cancer more options for recovery and healing right here on St. Maarten”.
Patients interested in a consultation at the Plastic Surgery Department of SMMC are encouraged to make an appointment by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 or 910 ext 1300 from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. SZV patients are requested to obtain a referral letter from their family doctor.

My Study or Career: My Choice” workshop to be held on April 18, 2024.

~Career exploration tips to be given to participants~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is organizing a workshop entitled “My Study or Career: My Choice” on April 18, 2024, at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
This free, interactive workshop is geared toward students in their last two years of secondary school or recent graduates. Parents are also welcome to attend.
Many students are undecided about a college major and what career or occupation they want to pursue. Career Guidance Counselors at the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport see many of the abovementioned cases regularly. The workshop is aimed at helping such individuals. It will cover areas such as choosing a career path, exploring careers, deciding on a major or study at a college/university, not overlooking career options, and other related aspects.
Workshop participants will also receive tips on exploring their interests and skills and how these can be incorporated into their career or study choice. Students or parents can register in advance by calling SSSD at Tel: 543-1235. Participants are urged to be on time for this workshop on April 18, 2024.
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) office is located in the Gatspy’s Building, across from the Police Station and next to the WIB. SSSD provides services to students referred by the schools, such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, and speech-language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services, parent sessions, and crisis response.

Stabbing convict stabbed in prison.

pointeblancheprison23102019 PHILIPSBURG:---The convict who brutally stabbed Estika Halley one year ago was stabbed in his cell at the Pointe Blanch Prison on Monday, SMN News was reliably informed. MB was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for brutally assaulting the former Senior Carnival Queen.

The defendant, initials M.B., was stabbed all over his body by an unknown inmate while in his cell block.

The man, who is Halley’s ex-partner, repeatedly stabbed her and left her critically injured on the roadside.

He was sentenced for attempted murder and aggravated assault for the heinous attack that occurred near Emerald Funeral Home in July 2022.
M.B. was rushed to the St. Maarten Medical Center on Monday and remained there under guard as he survived the attack. No official word as yet from Prison Management on Tuesday

ASCA Training for Swim Coaches.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Coach Dwight Vermeer from St. Maarten Swim Club and Coach Ashwin Straker from St. Maarten Super Splash Swimming Team traveled to Suriname on Friday, the 12th of April, to attend the ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association) training from April 14-18 2024. After completing the ASCA levels 1, 2, and 3 certifications, these coaches will join the ranks of the prestigious Association of International Swimming Coaches. Our local coaches, once certified, will be better equipped with the necessary knowledge to train and take our teams of local swimmers to the next level competitively. This is an important milestone for SMAF (St. Maarten Aquatic Federation) as we look towards further enhancing the sport of swimming on St. Maarten.

Court of Guardianship and Youth Probation Representatives to Attend 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole in The Hague.

courtguardianship15042024 PHILIPSBURG:--- A representative of the youth probation department within the Court of Guardianship is scheduled to attend the 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole in The Hague, Netherlands, from April 16 to 18, 2024.

During the World Congress on Probation and Parole Conference the latest trends, methods, and experiences in youth probation will be shared during workshops and trainings, as hosted by professionals from the Netherlands, Caribbean region and around the world.

The conference and workshops' theme is “ The future of probation and parole,” which aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Court of Guardianship/Youth Probation office to optimize work processes and procedures. The upcoming workshops will present restorative justice, tackle hardened clients, best practices for juveniles transitioning into adulthood, and implement and evaluate core disciplinary practices.

Furthermore, the attendee based in St. Maarten will be able to create relationships with other youth probation organizations and professionals from around the Caribbean region.

Kimberly Brown, Department Head of the Court of Guardianship (St. Maarten): “Our representative will use the opportunity to visit the organizations that provided the methodologies training of ‘So-Cool,’ ‘HALT Nederlands, ’ and' Reclassering Nederland, ' which have extended invitations to visit their organizations. The Court of Guardianship also decided to use the opportunity to conduct a working visit as we were already in discussions with HALT and Reclassering Nederland.”

Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson- “I’m enthusiastic for the Court of Guardianship Sint Maarten's participation in the conference. I recognize the immense benefits it brings in our pursuit for child protection and guidance. As we seek productive steps to mitigate the challenges we are experiencing with our youth in Sint Maarten, this engagement underscores our commitment to exploring best practices and fostering international partnerships."