Jamaica Missions USA

In January 2014, Vinus Alscott was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Missions USA.  She previously served as the National Director of Medical Ministry International (MMI), overseeing and coordinating project efforts as well as development initiatives.  With a wealth of knowledge and experience with global missions, Ms. Alscott specializes in the successful and aggressive representation of the poor and needy.

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Her previous experience with well-respected global mission firms has contributed to the expansion of her abilities in business generation and client integration.  Creativity in problem solving, demonstrated leadership talents and proven ability to excel in high pressure situations in an ever-changing marketplace.

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Vinus Alscott holds a Masters Degree in professional Accountancy from Georgia State University and received her Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Finance from Georgia State University.

Dr. John Kopchick is a board certified urologist. He has been a medical missionary for over 25 years, having recently served as medical director for Medical Ministry International (MMI) and now for Jamaica Missions USA both in Jamaica. He coordinates volunteers, medical clinics, and physicians and is responsible for all medical care. He has lectured to and worked with the surgical teams in Black River and Mandeville Hospitals in Jamaica.

 Dr. Kopchick received his Master's Degree in Engineering from Wayne State University, working as a NASA engineer on the moon rock program. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine with honors, receiving his M.D. degree in 1976. He took his urology training in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has practiced urology for over 33 years. He and his wife, Connie, now live in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he continues to be an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery with Michigan State University.

Carla has been a Registered nurse for the past 32 years. She received her Associate and Bachelor degrees in Nursing from Colorado State University-Pueblo and her Master’s in Nursing from University of Northern Colorado. In 2007, she completed her Nurse Practitioner certificates in both Acute Care and Family Practice and is board certified in Acute Care. Carla is also a certified Rehabilitation Nurse and has been a speaker at National Conferences in San Francisco, Albuquerque, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. She has been a contributing author to the Core Curriculum for three editions. This curriculum is used internationally for Rehabilitation certification for nurses.

Carla is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Colorado State University - Pueblo and the Lead Instructor for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program while also working as a Nurse Practitioner on campus in the Student Health Center caring for patients.

Carla serves as a Lay Pastoral Leader at St. Peter the Apostle in Pueblo, Colorado providing a sermon and a Lay led Episcopal service with reserve sacrament on a monthly basis. She volunteers at St. Peter’s leading the Beans & Rice Ministry, along with providing free flu vaccines, blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring. She is also involved as a volunteer with Los Pobres center for Migrant families, Pet Peace of Mind through Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Pueblo Animal Services and Animal shelter.

Carla has been involved with medical missions to Jamaica since 2013. She is committed to providing quality care, education, and spiritual support through our excellent volunteer team to all Jamaican people during the mission projects that are organized and offered through Jamaica Missions USA.

Dr. Kent F. Willett graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Microbiology in 1976. He proceeded to get his dental degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 1980. After completing his residency in general practice at the VA Hospital in New Orleans, he returned to Columbia where he established a practice. Dr. Willett was named “Best Dentist in Columbia” by Inside Columbia Magazine in 2007. Dr. Willett is a member of the prestigious Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida, where he has completed studies in restoring difficult dental cases. As part of the Pankey Institute, he sees referrals from all over the United States seeking high quality dental care.

Melissa Watson was born in Buffalo, N.Y. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Denison University and a M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. She was involved in various defense and space programs with NASA and the National Security Agency and was a member of the faculty of Math and Computer Science at McNeese University. Melissa was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Town of Foxfield, Colorado where she served 8 years as Trustee, and 4 years as Mayor Pro-Tem. It was during Melissa’s first mission trip in 2013 that she discovered her passion for medical missions and the Jamaican people.

Pastor Edward "Eddie" Smith lives in Kingston, Jamaica where he involved in youth and medical ministry.