Dr. Gardiner Speaks Out on Abrupt Closure of Caribbean Kidney Center
On July 1st, Dr. Walter Gardiner made a decision that sent shockwaves through the island of St. Thomas: the abrupt closure of the Caribbean Kidney Center (CKC), the only private dialysis clinic in the USVI. With just hours’ notice, patients were left scrambling, and lawmakers accused him of abandoning care. Dr. Gardiner was called to testify before the Senate, but he says he wasn’t given the opportunity to fully explain his side of the story. In an exclusive interview, he shared his perspective on the events leading up to the closure.
“It became apparent that it was no longer safe to continue to push these people… I made the decision to temporarily suspend services,” Gardiner explained.
However, CMS regulations require a 30-day notice for dialysis clinic closures, a rule that CKC did not follow. Gardiner acknowledges this but argues that the regulation does not account for emergencies of this nature. Notices were emailed and hand-delivered to CMS, the Department of Health, and Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) on the same day, but critics, including SRMC, claim they were blindsided by the closure.
“We wrote a letter to CMS, DOH, and Schneider Regional. That letter was written and sent that day,” Gardiner stated.
Regarding patient records, Gardiner says most were delivered physically through patients or staff, and his team followed the CMS checklist. While he did not personally review every file, he expressed confidence in the staff handling the process.
The Senate hearing that followed painted CKC as negligent and unprepared. Gardiner, however, feels he was excluded from a fair discussion. “I tried to make it clear why I did what I did. But they wouldn’t even listen,” he said.
Despite the controversy, CKC has not permanently closed. Gardiner revealed plans to reopen the clinic, with a biomedical technician arriving next week as part of efforts to improve staffing and operations. “We’re going to reopen—and we’ll be better staffed than before,” he said.
CKC may still face enforcement actions from CMS, depending on how the agency interprets the procedural breakdown. Gardiner believes he has a strong case to defend his actions, emphasizing that the closure was a difficult but necessary decision to protect lives.
“Closing wasn’t a good choice, but it was my only choice,” Gardiner said. He acknowledges violating the 30-day rule but argues that he followed the guidance available to him under the circumstances. He expressed frustration at being criticized without having his answers fully heard.
Dr. Gardiner’s story highlights the challenges of providing healthcare in the Virgin Islands, where resources are limited and emergencies can arise without warning. Now, the community must grapple with the implications of his decision and the broader question of how to balance regulatory requirements with the realities of island healthcare.
Should CMS stick to a 30-day rule, even during emergencies? Or should island clinics be given flexibility as hospitals face their own challenges? The community lives with the results, and your voice matters. Share your thoughts and let us know what you think.
This has been your VI Update. Your islands, your news, our reporting.