Tritons Making an Impact: Health & Welfare
Tritons Making an Impact: Health & Welfare
Tritons Making an Impact: Health & Welfare
2/18/2022
Students, faculty, and alumni share their motivation to work in their field
Across Guam, Micronesia, and the globe, Tritons can be found in every sector contributing
to society. Throughout 2022, the University of Guam is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee
and 70 years of "Transforming Lives, Advancing Communities.” The month of February
focuses on the University's impact on health and welfare in the region.
Here are some UOG students, alumni, and faculty on why they’re passionate about their
health-related major or profession and helping others.
UOG STUDENTS
Edrico Calicdan Reyes
Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Expected graduation: Fañomnåkan 2024
Ariyanee Bainco Prue
Degree Program: Bachelor of Social Work
Expected graduation: Fañomnåkan 2022
“… I've always wanted to help people. It was only my first semester in the program when I knew that this profession would be my lifelong career. Social work became my passion and inspiration — it became more than just a degree. It's a chance to make a difference and be the difference in the world.”
Kemp Etpison
Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Health Science – Pre-Physical Therapy
Expected graduation: Fañomnåkan 2023
“I felt that this field needed more diversity. One of the reasons I chose this program is to motivate other Micronesians to pursue it as well. I've always had aspirations of becoming the first, if not one of the few, Palauan physical therapists.”
Shawna Mae Sue
Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Health Science – Public Health
Expected graduation: Fanuchånan 2023
“The impact noncommunicable diseases and pandemics have on Micronesian communities is what sparked my interest. I joined this program because I want to help improve the health and well-being of people and communities around the world. I also want to teach people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and its role in disease prevention.”
Shaine Munoz
Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Health Science – Pre-Physical Therapy
Expected graduation: Fañomnåkan 2022
“The University of Guam's Health Science Program aims to provide students the tools and problem-solving skills to succeed in a variety of health care or academic settings. I wanted to pursue a degree in the health science field in order to develop my scientific understanding of the human body and to be able to apply these skills to improve overall community health.”
UOG ALUMNI
Gizzele Victoria Valencia, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Profession: Family Nurse Practitioner, Borrego Health – Centro Medico El Cajon (Calif.)
UOG Degree: ‘15 B.S. in Nursing
“[I am proud to be] able to treat, educate, and empower my patients and the communities I care for. With medicine forever evolving, it is essential that we keep our communities healthy and educated. I am proud to be in a profession with constant growth and learning. Living in Guam, going to UOG, and working as an RN at GMH instilled in me this work ethic, resourcefulness, compassion, and discipline. These values helped me succeed in graduate school and progress as a medical provider.”
Jesse Rosario
Profession: Owner, The Boka Box (Guam)
UOG Degree: ‘06 B.A. in Consumer Family Science – Nutrition
“I've always wanted to do something that gave back to the community. With my career in nutrition, I can help people understand how food affects them and contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Through The Boka Box, I've been able to help subscribers become healthier just by showing them how to be aware of the food they eat. Seeing them happy and healthy makes me feel like everything I'm doing is worth it.”
UOG FACULTY
Lisalinda Natividad, Ph.D.
Professor of Social Work
“As an undergraduate, I was sitting in a required course for my religion major and walked out of that class feeling like the world has so many problems and I had to help people. Clear and simple. I believe social work is literally the work of God's love made manifest. Social workers are instruments of that love to help those suffering improve their well-being and maximize their potential. We are truly privileged to be witnesses to this process.”
Antoinette Kleiner, R.N., MSN, FNP, IBCLC
Instructor of Nursing
“I’ve known since middle school that I wanted to be a nurse, and becoming a mother showed me the miracle of birth. My personal passion is working with mamas and babies. My mission is to promote health and wellness by serving mothers and teaching the health care professionals that serve them. Teaching UOG’s nursing students that all patients are part of families and communities is important to me. I am proud to do this as part of an amazing team and witness our students’ passion for serving the communities of Guam. Our students helped bring services to underserved communities, joined the frontline in Public Health’s testing and vaccination efforts for COVID-19, and helped the Homeless Coalition with the Point-in-Time Count.”
70 Years of Transforming Lives, Advancing Communities
The University of Guam is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee throughout 2022 and 70 years of "Transforming Lives, Advancing Communities."
The month of February is focused on the University's impact on health and welfare in the region. Stay posted on all University of Guam 70th Anniversary events and stories at www.uog.edu/70th-anniversary.
We want to hear from you!
Have a fond memory from the early days at UOG? Have an inspiring story from present day to share about the University impacting the community? Share it with us at marcom@triton.uog.edu.