Staff Highlight: Charlene Navarro

By CTFG

This month, as part of our special series, at the Center of UVI, we stop by the Medical Simulation Center, where innovation meets community preparedness. At the helm we meet a leader whose life’s work has centered around caring for and educating those around her, the world over, Director, Charlene Navarro.

Who is Charlene Navarro?

Nursing is the essence of who I am. Born in New York City with roots in the Virgin Islands, I embrace my roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.

Over the past 26 years, I’ve worked across various nursing disciplines, including neonatal intensive care, critical care flight nursing, pediatric health, adult health, and staff education. However, my true passion lies in the NICU, where I care for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients. It is there that my heart truly belongs.

In addition to my nursing expertise, I am a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force with combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Where I had the honor of leading an aeromedical evacuation team for our nation’s heroes. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), along with certifications as a Chronic Care Professional (CCP), Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE), and Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS). After leading two medical education and training facilities and simulation programs in the Air Force, I currently serve as the Executive Director of the UVI Medical Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus in St. Croix.

What made you decide to make nursing your career path?

I’ve always been drawn to babies and have had an interest in medicine. It wasn’t until my oldest son was born that I decided to specialize in neonatal intensive care. Experiencing healthcare from the other side allowed me to view things from a different perspective. I observed the staff working collaboratively as a cohesive team. The neonates in the ICU were always at the forefront of everyone’s attention, and each staff member accepted nothing less than excellence in their care delivery. They demonstrated technical expertise in their knowledge and clinical skills while also providing warm, empathetic care.

Working in neonatal intensive care solidified my passion. Caring for the smallest patients leaves no room for error. I learned that competence is a form of compassion, which ultimately guided me towards education. I realized that the best way to protect more patients is not merely to work more shifts, but to ensure that the next generation of clinicians is well-prepared.

As a veteran of both the U.S. Army and Air Force, what were some of the most unexpected but life-changing skills you acquired?

Three, and none of them were clinical.

Standard of work. The military, and my mother, taught me that you should always strive for excellence in everything you do. It’s not just a slogan — in medicine it’s how you protect people from harm when no one is looking.

Readiness is a habit that must be practiced. In the military, you train for emergencies long before they arrive. Repetition builds the muscle memory that enables teams to perform under pressure without hesitation, turning competent practice and training into second nature and that instinct into quick action. That mindset is why our disaster preparedness and mass-casualty work in our hurricane-prone territory isn’t just a nice diversion in the VI.

How to be comfortable being new. Throughout my military career, I was often the new person in the room, learning unfamiliar systems and building trust with new teams. That experience taught me the importance of documenting processes and sharing knowledge. The best systems are documented, tested, and refined so that the next person can step in with confidence and the mission continues without missing a beat. The best legacy you can leave is making sure the next person has a clear roadmap for success.

When did you discover your love for medical education and medical simulation?

My passion for medical education and teaching began during my staff development roles in both military and civilian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). I observed that the clinicians who performed best in crisis situations weren’t necessarily the ones with the most knowledge; rather, they were the ones who had practiced their skills. I started with various instructor roles in programs, including the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), American Heart Association (AHA), and American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support training, S.T.A.B.L.E., and other critical care nursing offerings. Then I was introduced to high-fidelity simulation, which was the first teaching method I encountered that allowed me to replicate human physiology and rehearse skills safely and repeatedly, adding a new dimension to standard training. The first time I witnessed a learner transition from hesitation to confident action, making critical decisions that led to real-time adjustments within a single scenario, I knew I had found my true calling and had to be a part of it. Once that spark was ignited, the quest for new knowledge led me to pursue training as a National Association of Emergency Medical Services Educator (NAEMSE) and provider of NAEMT continuing education training, and certification as a Stop the Bleed instructor.

What is the Medical Simulation Center and how does it support UVI’s mission to ‘empower the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, and the world?’

The UVI Medical Simulation Center is a state-of-the-art, 21,920-square-foot facility on the Albert A. Sheen Campus designed specifically for the advancement of healthcare quality in the USVI. With a ten (10) station advanced surgical skills labs, eight (8) inpatient and ambulatory care simulation training rooms, a simulated Operating Room with instrument processing, an unparalleled suite of haptic response VR surgical simulators, a 70-seat lecture hall, dining and conference space. Highlighting our commitment to effective training, we host a 360-degree immersive VR simulation suite that engages four of the five senses — sight, sound, touch, and smell — so learners rehearse with the same physiological response their bodies will produce on the real call. It is the only dedicated medical simulation training center in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the only authorized American Heart Association International Training Center in the territory, with more than 2,200 certified participants to date. We’re also an authorized National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) training center, further solidifying our dedication to excellence in emergency medical and prehospital education.

• The University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center advances safe, high‑quality healthcare and emergency‑response education through innovative, evidence‑based simulation, interprofessional learning, workforce development, research, and community partnerships that serve the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region..
• Our EMT program is top tier. We are proudly on the USVI Eligible Training Provider List, which means the territory’s workforce system can fund a resident directly into a critically needed healthcare career field. Out first two cohorts have eclipsed national first-attempt NREMT cognitive pass rates at and above 90%, with 100% of our certified graduates gaining and retaining employment — against the national figure of ~73%.
• The Caribbean and the world: we host Emory University’s HRSA-funded forensic nurse examiner training, and bring national faculty and national standards here to train our people at home; saving the Territory thousands of dollars.

Talent used to leave to be trained. Now the training comes to the talent, and the talent stays.

What is one thing about medical simulation the wider population should know?

Medical simulation is not “playing with mannequins.” It is a rigorous, evidence-based method of preparing healthcare professionals to think, communicate, and act safely under pressure.

Learners practice in realistic situations, receive structured feedback, and debrief what happened in a psychologically safe environment. The goal is not perfection in the simulation room—it is safer care in the real world.

Put simply: we want mistakes to happen here, where they can become lessons, rather than at the bedside with you or someone you love.

If you could add your dream course and equipment to UVI Medical Simulation Center, what would they be and why?

Course: My dream course is a recurring Emergency Management certification program that offers live, territory-wide disaster and mass casualty simulations. These simulations bring together Emergency Medical Services (EMS), emergency department staff, nurses, public health officials, and hospital leadership to practice the communication and incident command processes they would use in a real emergency.

Emergency Management students will work alongside our territory leadership to gain firsthand experience during regularly scheduled training coordinated with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).

In the Virgin Islands, hurricane preparedness is not just a personal priority. Given our limited surge capacity and off-island transfer options, it is crucial for teams to rehearse together before a crisis. I plan to pair this course with a paramedic bridge training program to strengthen the advanced prehospital workforce that our hospitals and communities rely on.

Equipment: A mobile simulation unit. It would bring training directly to rural clinics, partner agencies, and communities across the territory—making high-quality, realistic education accessible without requiring everyone to travel to campus.

What is your favorite thing about medical education and simulation?

The lightbulb moment that comes on in a debriefing — when a learner articulates why they did what they did, hears themselves, and revises their actions on the spot. You can watch competence being formed in real time. Beyond that, it’s the delayed gratification of knowing that somewhere on this island, on a night I’ll never hear about, someone we trained is going to run a call well and save lives. That’s the return on this work, and it compounds with interest.

How can interested persons support the Center’s work?

Several ways, and all of them are needed.

• Philanthropic giving. Gifts can be made through UVI Institutional Advancement and earmarked specifically for the Medical Simulation Center — designating your gift ensures it stays with this work. Scholarship support for EMT and nursing students has the most immediate human impact.
• Sponsor a seat. Underwriting tuition for a single EMT student puts one more certified first responder in an ambulance in this territory.
• Corporate and foundation partnership. Equipment, technology, software licenses, and course underwriting are recurring expenses. Our facility was built with federal grant funds, but sustaining and modernizing it requires partners.
• Send us your people. Employers who train their staff here are supporting the Center and raising the standard of care at the same time.
• Serve. We welcome clinical subject matter experts, standardized patients, and advisory support.

Anyone interested should call us at (340) 692-4101 or email msc@uvi.edu.

How can interested persons learn more about course offerings at the UVI Medical Simulation Center?

Visit uvi.edu/msc for the current course calendar and online registration, call (340) 692-4101, or email msc@uvi.edu. Our offerings include the EMT Training Program, AHA courses including BLS and HeartCode, PHTLS — which is CAPCE-accredited and recognized by NREMT for recertification — plus advanced clinical courses and specialized simulation training.

One important note for prospective EMT students: contact the Virgin Islands Department of Labor at 340-773-1994 to check eligibility for financial support. Our program is on the territory’s Eligible Training Provider List, so many residents qualify for funding they don’t realize is available.

During your military career, you served in leadership capacity at medical facilities and simulation centers on military bases across the globe. What is one piece of wisdom you have acquired from each one along the way?

From the onset of leadership: Competence secures your position; credibility fosters your team’s trust. Embrace humility and maintain a willingness to listen. Remember, valuable ideas can arise from anyone, not just from yourself.

• In a large medical center: It’s important to recognize that while the system is vast and complex, it still relies on the essential nuts and bolts to keep everything running smoothly. Systems often struggle during handoffs rather than in the midst of operations. It’s crucial to pay close attention to these transitions and document every detail. If no one steps up to address the worn-out components—those small yet vital elements—the entire system risks collapsing. So, get involved and make your voice heard; every piece plays a role in maintaining the engine’s functionality
• From an overseas assignment: Culture determines whether your protocol is followed. Learn the community before you teach it anything.
• From a simulation center posting: Take the time to ensure psychological safety. If students don’t feel comfortable knowing that it’s okay to not get it right the first time, they will have an additional hurdle to climb before getting to the goal of competence and confidence.
• From an austere or deployed setting: Improvise the resource, never the standard.

Define success.

Success is when the thing you built no longer needs you.

A good example for me is during hurricane season, when the responders on the ground are people we’ve trained. This includes a nursing graduate who has gone through our (future) transition-to-practice program, taken a job here, and decided to stay instead of moving off the island. It also involves a center that is well-funded, accredited, and running smoothly even when I’m not around. What really matters to me is that our institution is sustainable and durable.

Looking five years into the future, what are your hopes for the Medical Simulation Center and the wider University as a whole?

At the Center, our vision is to be recognized as a vital force in workforce development, actively contributing to the economic growth of our territory. We aim to achieve national accreditation for our simulation program, enhance our EMT program by introducing a paramedic-level pathway, and establish a mobile capability that serves all three islands effectively.

We hope to launch new initiatives, including a High School EMT training pathway, a surgical tech certification training program and an Emergency Management certificate program. Additionally, we seek to create a nurse transition-to-practice program in collaboration with our local hospitals. Our commitment goes beyond training; we also aspire to establish a strong research presence that contributes meaningfully to the literature on Caribbean health workforce issues, ensuring our work reaches beyond our own reports.

Why does what you do matter?

In our close-knit island community, healthcare professionals are not just providers; they are our friends and neighbors. When emergencies occur on the Melvin Evans Highway, it’s the familiar faces we rely on—EMTs and paramedics we’ve trained who live right here with us.

Despite this community strength, our healthcare system faces significant challenges. There is a critical shortage of resources, limited access to advanced medical training, and a lack of certified sexual assault nurse examiners in the US Virgin Islands. These issues put an immense strain on our responders and can leave survivors without the specialized care they urgently need. As someone who lives here and has family in this community, this situation deeply concerns me. To address these challenges, we are committed to workforce development and are excited about our inclusion on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This recognition allows us to host Emergency Medical Technician training for the second consecutive year, equipping both current healthcare providers and our youth with vital skills for future roles in healthcare. By strengthening our workforce and education initiatives, we can ensure that everyone in the Virgin Islands has access to the compassionate, expert care they deserve during their most vulnerable moments. Your support can help us create a healthier future for all of us—because when it comes to caring for our community, we are all in this together.

What advice would you give to someone who is passionate about Medical Education who is interested in charting a career path in the field?

• Keep one foot clinical as long as you can. Credibility with learners comes from having done the work.
• Get formally trained in the method. Pursue simulation certification — CHSE or CHSOS — and learn all of the tools. Healthcare simulation is a young career field; there is room for those with the skill and desire.
• Learn the business side. I earned an MBA alongside the MSN for a reason. Programs live and die on budgets, grants, and compliance.
• Say yes to the assignment that’s slightly too big for you. Then soak in everything like a sponge and document what you learn.
• Find your people. SSH, INACSL, NLN — this field is generous with its resources, and no one in it built anything alone.

Where can we follow your work?

Follow the UVI Medical Simulation Center at uvi.edu/msc,  Facebook and on LinkedIn at UVI MSC — that’s where course announcements, cohort news, and Center milestones are posted. UVI’s news page also covers our major milestones. Personally, I’m most active on LinkedIn. And the most direct option remains the oldest one: call (340) 692-4101 or email msc@uvi.edu — we give provide youth STEM tours, and periodic open houses; seeing the building explains more than any post will.