Health
GMHA adjusts services, prepares Shelter for Expectant Mothers ahead of Champi
This storm watch update is brought to you by Senatorial candidates Clynt Ridgell, "Let's Grow Guam Together"; Sabrina Salas Matanane,"Bri the Difference" and Chief Energy Partners, "Your Power. Your Terms. Your Lifestyle." Special thanks to sponsors: Donna Quinata, "Driven to Serve"; Burger King and MacTech Guam.
By Jolene Toves ·
Governor signs law directing $19.9M in excess Section 30 Funds to GMH for EHR system
“The full procurement and implementation timeline is projected to take 15 to 18 months. With the hospital’s current software contract set to expire in 2028, today’s bill signing ensures a seamless, timely transition to a secure and modern platform,” Adelup said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GMHA receives $1.41M USDA Grant to support Typhoon Mawar recovery
“It will partially reimburse restoration work already completed or underway, helping address costs that remained uncovered after insurance and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance,” the hospital said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Legislature passes amended Bill directing $19.9M to GMHA
"The entire amount shall support the Guam Memorial Hospital in the acquisition and implementation of a modern electronic healthcare health record system and related infrastructure improvement," Sen. Telo Taitague said reading the amended intent which reflected the evolution of the bill on the floor throughout Tuesday morning.
By Jolene Toves ·
Leon Guerrero urges DOI to Include Guam in Seabed Mining Review
"Federal regulations carry the force of law," Governor Leon Guerrero noted in her letter, citing Supreme Court precedent.
By Jolene Toves ·
GMHA: 'Dr. Burnsite' alert triggered by electrical short, no fire reported
"This is a smaller incident compared to when we had one of the motor control centers burning through the pediatric wing, that caused patients to relocate," Quenga said in reference to the 2025 electrical fire at the hospital.
By Jolene Toves ·
DPHSS finds new violations during Tiyan High follow-up inspection
"The suspension will remain in effect until the violations cited by DEH have been satisfactorily corrected and the facility has undergone the inspections necessary for DPHSS to verify compliance," DPHSS said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Senators seek Section 30 Funds for Schools as Governor proposes GMHA, UOG spending
“As Health Committee Chairperson, I’ve consistently fought to give GMH the funding and resources it needs. In fact, as part of this Republican-led Legislature, we’ve advocated for and provided more than $100 million to GMH through appropriations and supplemental funding for operations and much-needed capital improvements. So, you know where my heart is when it comes to our hospital," Salas Matanane said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Special Session called, nearly $20M in Section 30 funds proposed for GMHA, UOG
"If procurement is delayed by even a few months, GMHA will potentially be forced past its contract expiration window without an operational EHR, resulting in catastrophic blackout of hospital billing and patient records," Aguon said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Archdiocese launches Diabetes Prevention Program with Community Health Workers
"This is a three-month weight loss program with components of social determinants and health activities delivered by CHWs. The program is aimed at helping participants lose weight and understand specific and relevant social determinants of health challenges," Diaz said
Inaugural GCC Nursing cohort earns perfect NCLEX Pass rate
“Every one of these graduates worked hard to reach this point, and their success speaks to the determination and the dedication of our Allied Health Program. Because of this, Guam now has 20 more individuals prepared to serve our community as Registered Nurses," Tudela said.
GMHA acquires $136K boom lift with US DOI funds
“Our team identified a need, developed the application, and secured the funding to address it,” GMHA Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joleen M. Aguon said.
DPHSS seeks vendor to modernize public assistance enrollment system
"With the support of this administration and our federal partners, this modernization will help us reduce delays, strengthen accuracy, and make it easier for our clients to receive services with dignity and care,” DPHSS Director Theresa Arriola said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Long-awaited GMHA Maternity Ward renovation moves to construction
“For years, our nurses, physicians and staff have provided extraordinary care in spaces that have not kept pace with the needs of our patients. After more than a decade of planning, funding, redesign and persistence, this project is finally ready to be built. We are not waiting for a future hospital to improve care. We are building better care at GMHA now,” Aguon said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Guam still without chief medical examiner as commission pursues temporary contract
Though tempting, Ferguson said, "At this time, I cannot be the chief medical examiner."
By Jolene Toves ·
Cause of fire at former DPHSS building remains under investigation
"I don't have the exact amount at this time. In terms of the response, operations took approximately six hours. Due to the size of the structure and heavy smoke conditions throughout the building, crews had to conduct extensive searches across multiple floors and rooms to ensure no occupants remained inside," GFD Spokesperson Nick Garrido said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GMH completes first phase of parking expansion, adds 38 stalls
For too long, finding parking at GMH has added stress to moments that may already be difficult. Patients have canceled appointments or postponed procedures because of the difficulty of finding parking. That makes this more than a matter of convenience. When parking becomes a barrier to receiving care, it becomes a hospital priority. Today, we are responding to that need with action," Aguon said.
By Jolene Toves ·
GMH secures more than $16 million in FEMA funding for backup power project
“I really want to give credit to the people at GMH, Dr. Joleen Aguon and her team, who worked on this and kept pushing. These grants don’t just happen. There’s a lot of work that goes into putting the project together, meeting the requirements and getting it across the finish line,” Salas Matanane said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Wellness on Wheels offers UCLA Student hands-on Public Health lessons
"I think there's a lot of ways that we can better inform our community about, you know, like when do you get a physical, like what happens at these kinds of appointments, how do we do cancer screening? What does that mean for you? and how we can just better people's preventative help overall," Kim said.
By Jolene Toves ·
UOG opens $9 Million Nursing Hub, doubles admissions capacity by 2027
"The opening of the Nursing Hub represents much more than a new facility; it reflects the University of Guam's enduring commitment to investing in people who will be a part of building our future," Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG president, said.
By Jolene Toves ·
DPHSS to host 2026 Pacific Islands Tuberculosis Conference in September
The five-day conference will build regional capacity by engaging participants in "expert-led" presentations, specialized breakout sessions and professional networking. The event is geared toward clinicians, nurses, laboratorians, outreach workers and tuberculosis program managers.
GMHA says Board's Special Meeting on 'pending litigation' not a confirmation of lawsuit
"Reports suggesting this meeting confirms the hospital is being sued are inaccurate. No lawsuit has been announced," GMHA management said.
By Jolene Toves ·
Public Health targets mosquitoes at Oka Point debris site
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has launched targeted mosquito control efforts at the Oka Point disaster debris site in Tamuning.
By Jolene Toves ·
