PIHOA Board of Directors and Associate Members and their Designees. Top (left to right) - Dominic Taruwemai (Designee, Yap State DHS), Semenson Ehpel (Designee, Pohnpei Department of Health Services), Carissa Pangelinan (Director, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center), Scott Anesi (Chief Executive Officer, LBJ Tropical Medical Center), Sherilynn Madraisau (Director, Public Health, Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services), Jacki Tulafono (Designee, American Samoa Department of Health), Gaafar Uherbelau (Designee, Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services), and Tholman Alik (Director, Kosrae Department of Health Services). Bottom (left to right) - Francyne Wase-Jacklick (Secretary, RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services), the Honorable Marcus Samo (Secretary, FSM National Department of Health and Social Affairs), Theresa Arriola (Director, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services), Lillian Perez-Posadas (Chief Executive Officer, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority), and the Honorable Ota Kisino (Minister, RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services).

PIHOA hosted its 76^th Executive Board Meeting (EBM) from March 24–28, 2025, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Health leaders, technical experts, and development partners from across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) came together to exchange insights, strengthen regional partnerships, and collectively address pressing health priorities in the islands.

Led by Interim President and Vice-President, Theresa Arriola, who is also the Director of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, the meeting spanned five days of open forums, program updates, strategic planning sessions, and powerful discussions on building resilient health systems. From sustainability to maternal health to workforce development, this convening reaffirmed the region’s shared commitment to health and Pacific-led solutions. Among the featured presenters was Sir Collin Tukuitonga of the University of Auckland, who offered a virtual presentation on the recently published report, Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems. His remarks laid the groundwork for discussions on field epidemiology, data systems, and health infrastructure throughout the week.

A highlight of the meeting was the visibility and recognition of the Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program (PPHFP) Fellows. These early-career professionals were celebrated throughout the week as the future champions of public health in the region. Soulmaz Rostami, PPHFP Program Manager, presented on the Fellows’ work under the Amy St. Pierre Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program. Her presentation shed light on the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality affecting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women, an urgent call to action underscoring the fellows’ critical contributions. “They are not just tomorrow’s leaders, they are today’s change-makers,” she shared.

On Wednesday evening, attendees gathered for a PIHOA-sponsored dinner reception on the Hilton’s Green Lawn, where they were honored by the presence of His Excellency President Surangel Whipps Jr., of Palau. In his remarks, the president emphasized the power of Pacific unity, stating, “Health is not only a national priority, it is a regional imperative. We must work together as stewards of our Blue Pacific to ensure our communities thrive, not just survive.”

Thursday’s Pacific discourse series offered one of the most thought-provoking and timely segments of the week, diving deep into the region’s most urgent and emergent issues for the USAPIs. Through three dynamic panels, participants tackled the intersections of health, policy, and change, anchored in the Pacific context.

The first panel explored health security and resiliency in the Pacific blue continent, focusing on regional challenges and the collective efforts required to prepare for and respond to health emergencies. Panelists included health leaders from FSM, Guam, and academic and security experts from Hawai‘i, New Zealand, and Washington D.C. Together, they emphasized that true health security goes beyond emergency response, it's about strengthening core systems, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring that island communities are not left behind in global preparedness efforts. Discussions underscored how the region’s unique geography and geopolitical position require tailored solutions that are led by Pacific voices.

The second panel turned to health policy and public support for a space where regional leaders shared opportunities and challenges in navigating federal systems, funding mechanisms, and interagency partnerships. Voices from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and the East-West Centers Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) weighed in on how public support efforts can be sharpened to elevate Pacific priorities. There was a clear call for greater political engagement and alignment across jurisdictions, especially as policy decisions made in D.C. increasingly shape local realities across the islands.

The final panel, navigating paradigm shifts in U.S. policies and potential impacts on health in the Pacific and globally, was especially poignant. Featuring the Honorable Dr. Josh Green, Governor of the State of Hawai'i, academic and federal policy advisors, and PIHOA leadership, this session unpacked how recent shifts in U.S. domestic and foreign policy may ripple across Pacific health systems. Panelists reflected on everything from Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements to health security policy, and federal program eligibility. The message was clear: Pacific leaders must be proactive, not reactive, in these evolving policy landscapes, and regional unity is the most powerful tool we have.

Throughout the day, a recurring theme emerged: Pacific Island nations and territories are not just recipients of aid or policy, they are agents of change. By strengthening their collective voice, investing in their public health workforce, and building long-term strategies, the region can not only respond to today’s challenges but also shape a healthier future on its own terms.

With a short video, heartfelt remarks, and a ceremonial check handover, the PIHOA Endowment Fund was officially introduced during the closing session of the EBM. It represents an investment in both leadership and legacy, a recognition that lasting progress requires not only vision, but also sustained support. This initiative was made possible through a generous $35,000 award from the Will J. Reid Foundation, marking a pivotal step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of health leadership and innovation across the USAPIs. PIHOA Board Members also had the opportunity to tour Shriners Hospital for Children Hawai‘i, deepening regional collaboration in pediatric care.

As PIHOA prepares for its next strategic planning cycle through 2025-2030, the 76^th EBM reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative action and regional leadership. From veteran health executives to emerging fellows, voices across generations shared one vision, building a healthier, stronger, and more just future for the Pacific.​

Thank you to all meeting participants who made the 76th PIHOA EBM a success! We will see you all in the Marshall Islands in November 2025. Date TBD.

76th PIHOA Executive Board Meeting Agenda

Day 3, Wednesday, March 26 (Morning – Open Session / Afternoon - Closed Session)

PIHOA Regional Initiatives

Day 4, Thursday, March 27 (Open Session)

PIHOA Board of Directors and Associate Member Business Meeting

Day 5, Friday, March 28 (Closed Session)

PIHOA Board Members Excursion to Shriners Hospital

Check out the PIHOA Facebook Page for additional meeting photos!