Author: Dulce Mendoza 

In the heart of the Pacific, the Guam Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) Program is playing a pivotal role in nurturing future public health leaders and directly addressing the island's unique health challenges. This program—a collaboration between AmeriCorps and CDC—offers training, supports community health needs, promotes equity, and creates pathways to public health careers. 

In an ASTHO newscast, Julia Rivera, program director for the Guam PHA, emphasized the pressing need for an effective communication system to address public health crises experienced in Guam. She highlighted the chaos in 2019 when the department's services were abruptly scattered across the island, leaving the community unsure of where to go for help. Soon after came the COVID-19 pandemic and, most recently, Typhoon Mawar. These challenges motivated Guam to apply for PHA funding, which has been used to recruit and train individuals who represent and understand Guam's health needs.  

Member Voices  

The program’s strength comes from the PHA members, a diverse group of community residents who bring personal insights and a strong dedication to their roles. In January, members had the opportunity to join an ASTHO convening to learn about workforce issues and network with public health professionals from across the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands. At that meeting, Joanne Pearsol, director of Workforce at ASTHO, sat down with members to capture their motivations and aspirations. Here is what they shared:  

• Breaking Comfort Zones: One member, a high school student originally from the Philippines, joined PHA on a friend’s recommendation. They shared how the program has enabled them to step out of their comfort zone and give back to the welcoming community of Guam. 
• Advocating for Mental Health: Another member recognized the significance of mental well-being and looks forward to leveraging their AmeriCorps experience to uplift the importance of mental health. "Having good mental health is everything," they noted.  
• Empowering the Community: Driven by a desire to acquire new skills and make a difference, another member is eager to focus their efforts on supporting vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. "I joined this program so that I could also help other people, not just those around me," they explained, highlighting the program's broad reach. 
• Learning and Leading: Inspired by the program’s scope, another member is eager to apply their learning to improve public health practices in Guam and beyond. "I want to be a better person and share my skills and talent...and also get involved in the most challenging situations we are facing currently in public health," they shared. 

The members’ stories showcase Guam PHA’s potential to address immediate health challenges and commitment to cultivating a dedicated workforce that reflects the diverse communities that call Guam home. For those interested in learning more about the transformative impact of the Public Health AmeriCorps Program, or to get involved, visit Public Health AmeriCorps.  

About the Author  

Dulce Mendoza is a first-generation college graduate. She holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Arcadia University. Dulce has completed several internship and fellowship programs, including the CDC Lewis Scholars Program at Columbia University, an abroad internship with Moorfields Eye Charity, an internship with the Veterans Health Administration, and the CDC Public Health Associates Program (PHAP). While in PHAP, she worked within the Communicable Disease Bureau at the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services and responded to public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.