The revelation was made through the order paper for today’s emergency meeting of the House of Assembly (HOA).

Smith Jr’s appointment is being retroactively approved in the HOA after becoming effective from July 15, 2021.

He is contracted to serve in the post for three years.

Health Minister Carvin Malone is expected to move the motion for the appointment today.

The BVI Health Services Authority Act allows for Malone to recommend the appointment of Smith Jr to Cabinet, after consultation with the Opposition Leader.

The appointment was granted approval by the House and this will be ratified today.

Smith Jr, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the post of USVI Governor, has a number of close associations in the BVI and most recently served as the Executive Director at the St Thomas East End Medical Center Corp, USVI.

He reportedly also held several high-level positions in various other USVI government agencies and organizations.

The BVIHSA was most recently chaired by Dr Joel Stevens, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Authority and president of the medical staff at Providence Hospital in the United States.

Stevens served from May 2019 for a two-year period.