Jamaica Missions USA

Vinus Alscott

President & CEO

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.

Her previous experience with well-respected global mission firms, has contributed to the expansion of her abilities in business generation and client interaction. Creativity in problem solving, demonstrated leadership talents and proven ability to excel in high-pressure situations allow Vinus to provide her clients with superior representation while adapting to the challenges in an ever-changing marketplace.

John Kopchick, MD

Medical Director Emeritus

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 Howard, NP

Medical Director

Kent Willett, DDS

Dental Director

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.

William Henwood

Director of Ministry

The Rev. William (Bill) Henwood was born in Kingston and grew up in Mandeville, Jamaica. He immigrated to Canada to study and graduated from Queens University with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. He was involved in projects across Canada and the United States. A major portion of his work was in the area of energy utilization.

In 1989 he was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix Arizona. He continued in engineering practice until he retired in 2002. During that time his ministry was primarily in the work place among his colleagues and clients. In the churches in which he served, he led Adult Forums, Bible Studies, Men’s Retreats and for 18 years was a mentor in the Education for Ministry program from the University of the South, equipping servant leaders for ministry. He retired as an active deacon in his home church in 2010, but he continues to serve in various capacities, assisting at the worship services as the needs arise. He has been making mission trips to Jamaica since 2004 and made one to Tunisia in North Africa.  He currently resides in South Carolina, with his wife, Karen, who is also a Deacon in the Episcopal Church.

Melissa Watson

Director/Team Coordinator

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.

Edward Smith

Project Leader

Lisa Houston

Worship Leader