The OECS Secretariat continues to build capacity in the health sector, this time as it relates to management, with the launch of a Virtual Leadership Development Program (VLDP). The VLDP will be launched on March 15, 2010. The goal of the programme is to strengthen the leadership skills and competencies for country teams as they implement HIV programmes and concurrently begin the process of integrating HIV into the Primary Health Care systems.

Topics to be covered in the VLDP are: Leadership in Health Organizations, Identifying Challenges, Leadership Competencies, Communication, and Making Change. The course is intended for persons who function as managers at the operational level and will run for 13 weeks, from March 15 –June 18, 2010. It is a blended learning programme that will use a combination of distance learning methodologies (web-based along with printed materials) and weekly face-to-face group sessions. All OECS countries were invited to nominate country teams of between 4 to 10 persons to participate in the programme along with a team from the OECS Secretariat.

Facilitators for the OECS VLDP are Mrs. Judith Morrain-Webb (Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada) and Ms. Stacey Irwin Downey (USA). Mrs. Judith Morrain-Webb is currently a Research Associate at the Centre for Health Sciences at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. She is also currently an adjunct faculty for the MBA and Masters in Human Resource programmes at the Arthur Lock Jack School of Business at UWI, St. Augustine, the UWI Cave Hill School of Business and the UWI St. Augustine Department of Management Studies. Judith has an extensive portfolio in education, management, and HIV/AIDS programmes. She also has vast experience in mentoring and coaching. Ms. Stacey Irwin Downey has over thirteen years experience in private and non-profit management for both United States domestic and international organizations.  Her expertise lies in Project Management and Business Operations, and she has strong skills in human resource management and organizational development.