Pacific Island Health Officers Association

04/30/2026

From April 22–24, the PIHOA Secretariat was honored to participate in CDC’s Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) MMRIA User Meeting in Atlanta, joining partners committed to strengthening maternal health systems and preventing maternal deaths.

We were proud to stand alongside representatives from Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau, RMI Ministry of Health and Human services, American Samoa Department of Health, and PIHOA’s Pacific Public Health Fellows, demonstrating the strength of regional MCH collaboration across the USAPIs.

A special congratulations to the American Samoa Department of Health MCH Program for being recognized and awarded as the Island Collaboration Champion, a well-deserved acknowledgment of leadership and commitment to improving maternal health outcomes. 🏆

04/29/2026

From March 7–9, PIHOA’s Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program (PPHFP) was honored to present a workshop at the annual Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference in Washington, DC. The session highlighted how PPHFP Fellows are advancing maternal and child health initiatives, supporting the prevention of infant and maternal mortality, and strengthening the maternal and child health workforce pipeline across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.

PPHFP invests in local Pacific talent to create sustainable career pathways within USAPI health departments, to build the next generation of MCH and public health professionals.

We were especially inspired by our PPHFP Fellows—our public health champions—who did an outstanding job presenting and proudly representing the islands of the Republic of Palau (Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau) and the Federated States of Micronesia (Department of Health Services, State of Chuuk) 🌺

04/29/2026

Super Typhoon Sinlaku claimed 12 lives between Guam, Chuuk, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, making it one of the deadliest for Micronesia in decades, based on post-storm

04/29/2026

This week, JABSOM is hosting a donation drive for essential goods and supplies to the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands in conjunction with the Northern Marianas Club of Hawaii. You can drop off any donations to the Medical Education Building during normal operational hours. You can also drop off....

04/27/2026

🇫🇲 The Pohnpei Rapid High School Survey continues to demonstrate the power of locally led, data-driven public health efforts—supporting stronger NCD prevention, building workforce capacity, and informing policies that protect communities across the region.

👏🏾 Congratulations to Pohnpei State Department of Health and Social Services and all partners for their continued commitment to advancing health outcomes for future generations.

🔗 Read the full story: https://conta.cc/4t2yJO6

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release April 27, 2026 Pohnpei Advances NCD Prevention Through Data and Public Health Leadership Pohnpei, Federated States

04/14/2026

Day 2 of the Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program (PPHFP) Summit continued with meaningful presentations and shared learning across our USAPI communities. Fellows shared how they are building capacity in public health infrastructure to advance HIV/STD outcomes, non-communicable diseases, strengthening laboratory capacity, and supporting the establishment of maternal mortality review committees.

Participants also built skills in effective storytelling using the VPSA (Values, Problem, Solution, and Action) framework, facilitated by Reimagine Collective, to clearly communicate program impact and success.

These moments continue to deepen our collective commitment to advancing public health across our islands 🌟

04/12/2026

Day 1 of the PPHFP Summit kicked off with inspiring and motivational sessions that emphasized the importance of being champions of healthcare across our island systems, uplifting and supporting the incredible work of our fellows. 💙

The day included insights on PPHFP’s impact, highlighting its efforts and success, and reinforcing how the program continues to be an empowering and transformative space—an extended family rooted in hope, action, and meaningful contributions from both fellows and mentors.

A Host Site Supervisor panel created space for thoughtful dialogue on the fellows’ work and the role of accompaniment in effective supervision. Through interactive training activities, we explored effective communication strategies, understanding personalities and strengths, and how to work collaboratively to move public health efforts forward—including the development of PPHFP case studies.

Grateful for a strong start and looking forward to what’s ahead. 🌱

04/10/2026

🚨 Update: 78th PIHOA Executive Board Meeting Postponed

Due to Tropical Storm Sinlaku and severe weather impacts across the region, the 78th PIHOA Executive Board Meeting has been postponed until further notice.

The safety of our island communities remains our top priority. We’ll share updates as soon as the meeting is rescheduled.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and continued support.

🔗 Read the full e-blast here: https://conta.cc/4c3DoKn

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release April 10, 2026 Dear Pacific Colleagues, On behalf of Theresa Arriola, Interim Board President of the Pacific Island

03/30/2026

🌴 We’re proud to highlight Dr. Matthew Lopez, a Saipan-raised physician who is making a powerful impact in advancing healthcare access for Pacific Island communities.

From his roots in the CNMI to global medical training experiences, Dr. Lopez remains grounded in his mission to serve underserved populations across the Pacific. As a National Health Service Corps Scholar, he is helping bridge gaps in care, bringing a whole-person approach to patients of all ages.

🗣️ “Growing up in Saipan, I saw firsthand the barriers to access that many families experience. Those early experiences shaped my calling to serve those whom the healthcare system often leaves behind.”

💡 His journey reflects the importance of investing in and uplifting Pacific Islander health professionals who are committed to returning home and strengthening our regional health systems.

🔗 Read more in our latest e-blast: https://conta.cc/3NAbtIF

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release March 30, 2026 Dr. Matthew Lopez - A Saipan-Raised Physician Championing Healthcare Access for Pacific Island Commun

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

📊 Kosrae NCD Data Dissemination Workshop Advances Evidence-Based Action

From November 25–26, 2025, the Kosrae Department of Health Services convened more than 40 leaders, clinicians, and partners to review findings from Kosrae’s Adult Hybrid Survey and Rapid Youth Survey, strengthening local capacity to analyze and use NCD surveillance data.

With support from the PIHOA Secretariat, stakeholders discussed emerging NCD trends, priority risk factors, and evidence-based actions to guide strategic planning and improve population health outcomes in Kosrae.

👏 Congratulations to the Kosrae DHS team for their continued leadership in advancing data-driven NCD prevention and control.

🔗 Read more here: https://conta.cc/4b9jcpT

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release March 13, 2026 Kosrae NCD Data Dissemination Workshop Advances Evidence-Based Action Photo: Attendees at the Kosrae

03/13/2026

On March 11, the RMI Ministry of Health and Human services welcomed partners to collaborate on strengthening the country’s nursing talent pipeline. 💪🏾

Representatives from the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center, College of the Marshall Islands, Public School System, RMI Scholarship Board, and PIHOA came together to explore pathways that support the development of future nurses.👩🏽‍⚕️

Key discussions focused on engaging high school health academies and developing a new Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program as important entry points into the nursing profession.

Partners also agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize collaboration and clarify roles in advancing efforts to grow and sustain RMI’s nursing workforce, supporting the long-term health and wellbeing of the Marshallese community. 🇲🇭

Photo (L-R): TK Keju, MOHHS Health Policy Administrator; Cerina Mariano, PIHOA Grants Manager; Edlen Anzures, MOHHS Deputy Secretary; Kenneth Fernando, PSS Associate Commissioner Secondary and Career Education; Edward Alfonso, CMI Dean of Academic Affairs; Dr. Yvette Paulino, PIHOA Consultant; Jean Schneider, PIHOA Regional HRH Coordinator; Dr. Ola Ajaji, MOHHS PHIG Team Lead Consultant; Romalynn Maddison-Heine, MOHHS HR Director; Josephine Matthew, Assistant Secretary Nursing; Angie Laaw, CMI FAO Assistant Director; Maureen Emil, MOHHS HR Professional Development Coordinator; Elizabeth Jenwai, Director, RMI Scholarship Board; & (on Zoom, not pictured) Dr. Kelley Withy, AHEC and CN Diana Tiapon from Kawajalein Atoll Health Care Services