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For Immediate Release

October 17, 2024

Exciting Opportunity - The Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program Application Reopens for One Position in American Samoa

PIHOA is pleased to announce that applications are now re-opened for the Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program (PPHFP).

We are looking for one successful applicant, to be hosted at the Laboratory Department in American Samoa.


Are you a new college graduate interested in becoming a laboratory technician, and passionate about making a difference in people’s health across American Samoa? If yes, the PPHFP is a great opportunity to join a dynamic community of expert practitioners and emerging health leaders dedicated to meeting the health needs of our U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) communities.

Application Cycle:

Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2024. Applicants will be informed once a decision has been made. 


Program Start/End Dates:

November 2024 - July 2026


Quick Links:

Photo Above - Elias David (left), a PPHFP Cohort 3 Fellow and Ken Neth (right), a PPHFP Cohort 4 Fellow participate in a flu shot event in Kosrae, FSM, with Foster Waguk (bottom, middle), PPHFP Host Site Supervisor.

The Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program is a 2-year training program, where you will engage in hands-on, front-line public health interventions, projects, and program delivery; train and collaborate with local and regional experts; be exposed to regional and international policy and decision-making forums; and develop invaluable public health and leadership skills to strengthen local health systems and capacities and improve the health of USAPI communities. 


The goal is to prepare new college graduates and early career professionals for a successful career in organizations focusing on public and community health to meet emerging and future public health challenges in the USAPIs.


Eligibility:

  • Passion for a career as a Laboratory Technician or Technologist 
  • Early career graduate (graduated within the last 2 years) 
  • Minimum of an Associate Degree in a field that is applicable to health
  • Available full-time hours, for 2-years 

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity! 

 

Apply now and be part of an innovative and dynamic program that will help shape the future of public health laboratory services in American Samoa. 


The PPHFP is a collaborative effort between the USAPIs’ departments/ministries of health, the Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association (PIHOA), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The USAPIs include the US Pacific Island Territories: Guam, and American Samoa; and the US Freely Associated States (FAS): Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau.

Photo Above - PIHOA Leadership, Secretariat Staff and Consultants, PPHFP Fellows, and PPHFP Host Site Supervisors pose for a group photo at the Inaugural PPHFP Summit from March 22-24, 2024, in Honolulu.

Testimonials from Fellows

LaDonna Engichy

2020 PPHFP Fellow, Cohort 1


STD/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Program

Bureau of Communicable Disease Control

Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services

"The fellowship provided me with a wide variety of valuable experiences. I worked on the front line alongside the Guam Public Health staff, engaged with community stakeholders, and conducted investigations with a visiting CDC team. I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge I've gained to serve the communities within the Pacific. I've gained a deep understanding of how health disparities impact people and would like to be part of the public health workforce to help reduce disease burden, especially among Pacific Islanders.”

Gizelle Kwon

2020 PPHFP Fellow, Cohort 1


Tinian Health Center

Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Bureau

CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation

“This fellowship has helped me to understand the local healthcare system and network with others to create long-term solutions on behalf of the entire CNMI community. I gained a tremendous amount of skills that enhanced my capabilities to support my pursuit of furthering my career and education. I strive to continue to be a health champion for Tinian, the CNMI, and the Pacific Region.”

Lu-Ann Edwards

2021 PPHFP Fellow, Cohort 2


STD and Diabetes Services

Pohnpei Community Health Center

"This fellowship helped me broaden my knowledge, skills, and capabilities so I can be part of the public health workforce. Working with the Pohnpei Community Health Center, I learned how important it is to ensure our people have access to high-quality care and services. I learned that teamwork is essential so we can provide the health services needed for our people. I’m ready to apply my knowledge and skills that I’ve gained so that I can work toward reducing health disparities in my island country, Pohnpei, FSM, including the communities across the Pacific."

Why Become A Fellow?

Pacific Public Health Fellows will:

  • Acquire skills and knowledge that will enhance their future public health career.
  • Gain an understanding of the wide array of employment opportunities in the field of public health.
  • Learn how to use the foundational knowledge learned in the PPHFP to work with USAPI communities to assure and improve health outcomes.
  • Network and make lasting connections with experienced health experts across many health care sectors in the Pacific region.
  • Gain exposure to internationally renowned global health leaders from agencies such as the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), and others.
  • Enhance their professional credentials through the completion of program activities and milestones.

Testimonials from Host Site Supervisors

Vince Aguon

Host Site Supervisor

Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services

“We have benefited tremendously from the fellowship program, both in terms of building the region’s cadre of public health professionals and increasing our capacity to fill gaps in areas of need.”

Diana Napa

Host Site Supervisor

RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services - Ebeye

“It was really a privilege to be a Host Site Supervisor. I was able to share my knowledge and skills, because these new ones will be the future. And I am retiring soon, and we have limited graduated locals here, so being a Host Site Supervisor, I was able to mold them. Not only their knowledge and skills, but also their work ethic to understand professionalism in the workplace, so they will be able to get that kind of attitude, and then they disseminate it to others.” 

For more information about the PPHFP and eligibility criteria, visit our website or contact us directly at pphfp@pihoa.org

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About the Pacific Islands Health Officers' Association


PIHOA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of the USAPIs by providing, through consensus, a unified, credible voice on health issues of regional significance. Established in 1986, PIHOA is governed by and represents the collective interests of the USAPI health leadership from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. 

 

PIHOA’s Secretariat, comprised of executive, administrative, and technical staff and consultants, provides support to the USAPI health agencies and leadership in the following priority areas: health workforce development; epidemiology and surveillance; health systems performance improvement; laboratory services; regional health leadership and policy advocacy; Pacific health security; and, partnership engagement and coordination. PIHOA has two offices in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and Hagåtña, Guam.


Contacts


Billie Hiraishi

Communications Officer

billieh@pihoa.org


Soulmaz Rostami

Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program Manager

soulmazr@pihoa.org


Jade San Nicolas Chennaux

Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program Administrator

jadec@pihoa.org