Minister of Health and Social Development the Honourable Vincent Wheatley has extended condolences to the family of Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges, MBE on her passing.
Honourable Vincent Wheatley said his ministry is grateful for Mrs. Frett-Georges’ contribution to the health sector.
“Mrs. Georges provided invaluable contributions to the Virgin Islands and has left an indelible mark in the field of nursing, mental health, and healthcare. For this, we are grateful. We offer her surviving family our sincerest condolences,” Honourable Wheatley said.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry Ms. Tasha Bertie also expressed condolences stating that Mrs. Frett-Georges was a stalwart healthcare practitioner, administrator, healthcare champion, and leader.
Ms. Bertie said, “The Territory has lost a visionary leader. Mrs. Georges’ sterling contributions and advocacy are worthy of emulation and serve to remind us of our duty of service above self.”
Mrs. Frett-Georges was a trailblazer in the field of mental health establishing the first Mental Health Association in 1975 and spearheading the development of mental health nursing services in the Virgin Islands. Her work in this area was instrumental in setting the stage for future advancement in mental health care. The Mental Health Association was ultimately critical in advocating for the care of the mentally ill and the development of community mental health services in the Territory.
Mrs. Frett-Georges also served as Chief Nursing Officer and was instrumental in ensuring that the Territory was properly represented on the regional and international nursing arenas. She spearheaded the Virgin Islands’ representation with the Regional Nursing Body (RNB), the governing body for nursing regulation in the region and ensured local participation in the International Council of Nurses annual conference.
During her tenure as Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Frett-Georges also initiated the development of a nursing education master plan, which included developing a Nursing Assistant program with the Hocking Group in Ohio. The education plan culminated with a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program delivered through SUNY Buffalo.
Mrs. Georges was awarded an MBE in 1992, in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the Territory. Even after her retirement from the Public Service in 1998, Mrs. Georges continued to strongly advocate for nursing, mental health, and healthcare in general.
Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. Hon. Natalio D. Whaetley in an official statement said, “She is credited with helping the Territory to make significant strides in the area of mental health. Having had the privilege of furthering her education overseas, she returned to the territory and served as its first psychologist and first mental health/psychiatric nurse.
“She was very passionate about improving mental health care in the Territory. It was under her leadership that the Community Mental Health programme was started in 1972 with the objective of providing follow-up service to patients in the community. As Director, Mrs. Georges placed emphasis on three main areas of progress for the mental health programme—preventative, continuity and rehabilitative. The system of mental health management continued to evolve further with her involvement and it was eventually cited by the Pan American Health Organisation as a model programme. Mrs. Georges is the brainchild of the Mental Health Association which was formed in 1975.”