Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond

(From left) Thomas Parham, team chairman, Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission; Anita Borja Enriquez, president, University of Guam; Susan Clapper, team assistant chairperson; David Ely, team member, both from WASC; and Michael Carson, associate professor of archaeology, UOG.
Photo courtesy University of Guam

WASC accredits UOG for an additional eight years

The University of Guam announced the reaffirmation of an additional eight years of accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission after the visit in February.

Marking its third consecutive review period of eight years accreditation, the WASC review team met with administrators, board members, faculty, and students and highlighted areas for development, as well as commendations such as the university’s stable leadership and research impact.

Photo courtesy GRMC

GRMC recognized for its heart failure care

Guam Regional Medical City was awarded the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Award with Target: HF and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. The award recognizes the hospital’s ability to provide exceptional health care to patients suffering from heart failure and type-2 diabetes.

Photo courtesy Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands

NMI delegation stands out at national convention 

The delegation of the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands convened in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention for the nomination of their presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. The delegation was featured across social media and other media outlets including Vogue Magazine for their cultural attire.

Veronica Alave, a Dementia Capable Care certified instructor and instructor of nursing at the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health at the University of Guam presented at a session hosted by the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.

UOG School of Health gets recognition

The University of Guam’s Margaret Perez Hatorri-Uchima School of Health was recognized as a Dementia Capable Care Workforce Leader by the Crisis Prevention Institute. The recognition is awarded to organizations that provide care directly to individuals with dementia or to schools that provide CPI Dementia Capable Care training with one DCC certified instructor on staff. The school received this recognition through its Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.

Benanza Senior, frontline team member, IP&E Guam Shell Station.
Photo courtesy IP&E Shell Guam

IP&E Guam employee wins Shell Service Champion of the Year

Benanza Senior, a frontline team member at an IP&E Guam Shell Station, was recognized as the “Shell Service Champion of the Year” in June at Shell’s annual People Make the Difference Real global competition in Singapore.

The seven delegates from Guam and Saipan represented the Shell North Pacific Island region and were joined by more than 1,300 others from Shell retail networks worldwide to participate in the four-day event to celebrate Shell’s top performers. A 90-second video that was submitted to the competition highlighted Benanza’s personal story at Shel,l as well as her service and leadership following Typhoon Mawar in 2023.

James Chong
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service

Guam USPS mail carrier recognized for 30 years
of service

James Chong, a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Guam, was recognized for his exemplary service, timed during Guam’s 80th Liberation Day in July. Born and raised in Guam, Chong has delivered mail for USPS for the past 30 years, starting in March 1994, servicing customers throughout the island’s villages.

Guam Postmaster Tammy Schoenen, applauds Chong for his diligent work ethic and excellent customer service. “[Chong] comes to work every day with a smile on his face, a positive attitude, and a true respect for the responsibilities of his job,” she says. “James and his fellow Guam postal employees make me proud, because they are proud to perform their duties and to keep our operations running like a well-oiled machine.”

GMHA rated as high performing; nationally recognized by AHA

The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority was ranked as a high performing hospital by the U.S. News & World Report in August. The report assesses 4,500 hospitals each year and assigns an overall rating; GMHA earned a rating of high, indicating it did better than the national average.

GMHA’s cardiology, diabetes, and pulmonary departments scored a five out of five rating alongside the hospital’s ability to treat specific medical conditions where it received commendation for the treatment of heart attacks, heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia.

GMHA also received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines Resuscitation Bronze quality achievement award for its high survival rates related to cardiac arrests.

GIAA first to receive approval of TSA requirements

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam was the first in the region to receive approval for the TSA Aviation Workers Screening Program. The program is designed to mitigate internal security risks. GIA was also recognized in the top 4% of all Category 1 airports and in the top 9% of all airports nationwide when assessed for the implementation of the AWS program. In addition, GIA was also the first in the region to receive approval for its FAA Safety Management System Implementation Plan.

Photo courtesy Suzie Dundas, BBC

BBC freelancer dives with thousands of Palau’s red snapper 

Suzie Dunda, a freelance reporter, wrote about her experience diving during a red snapper spawning in Palau in an article for the British Broadcasting Corp.. “The depth put us eye to bulging fish eye with one of Palau’s most inexplicable marine phenomena: a snapper spawning aggregation, a breathtaking ballet of nature driven by an unknown biological code,” she wrote describing her 31m dive.

(From left) Lenster Hebel, packer; Evania Mathew, supply; Parabica Rengulbai, alternate; Xenia Gilatamag, team coach; Frankie Cruz, manager; Jenefy Joe, floor manager; Erpetson Ham, cook; and Sam Manel, expeditor, all from KFC Guam.
Photo courtesy KFC Guam

KFC Guam cook named best in Asia

Erpetson Ham, a cook for Kentucky Fried Chicken in Guam, was named the “Best Cook in Asia” in the KFC’s annual Asia Champs Challenge. The competition was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from Aug. 5 to 8. KFC Guam won against 11 other areas for the best operations team in the competition which centers around cleanliness, hospitality, accuracy, product quality, and speed.

(From left) President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and Miyazaki Kensuke, mural artist.
Photo courtesy The Office of the President of Palau

Japanese muralist creates murals for Palau International Airport 

Miyazaki Kensuke, renowned Japanese mural artist, is creating murals for the Palau International Airport as part of the 30th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between Palau and Japan. Kensuke conducted four workshops with the local community since his arrival in July. The murals will be created in the airport’s departure and arrival lobbies.

Tera Marie Ruder Blas, senior nursing student, University of Guam
Photo courtesy University of Guam

UOG nursing student awarded scholarship

Tera M. Blas, a senior
nursing student at the University of Guam, was awarded a $10,000 Johnson & Johnson Our Race to Health Equity Diversity Nursing Scholarship. Blas is one of 100 black, indigenous, or people of color students to receive this scholarship. The scholarship is a part of a larger J & J initiative to promote diversity within
the nursing profession and address inequalities in the healthcare industry.