Connecting Communities to Care: Chålan Åmte, CHC, and Public Health Lead Community Outreach

In a unified effort to strengthen access to care in Guam’s northern villages, Chålan Åmte partnered with the Guam Community Health Center and the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services to host a community outreach event to bring healthcare directly to residents who need it most.

The outreach specifically focused on individuals and families without an established primary care provider. For some, it was their first opportunity to connect face-to-face with a physician. For others, it was a long-awaited chance to re-engage with preventive care. Held in Dededo, the event transformed a familiar gathering space into a hub of health education, screenings, and enrollment assistance. Multiple community partners came together with a shared mission to close gaps in access and ensure residents are aware of the services available to them.

Among the participating programs were Medicare and Medicaid enrollment services and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through Public Health, alongside cervical cancer screening initiatives and the University of Guam’s nutrition program. Advocacy groups such as the Guam Hypertension Coalition and the Guam Diabetes Association were also present, offering education on chronic disease prevention and management. By convening these organizations in one place, the event created a streamlined pathway to care. Residents could receive health information, complete screenings, enroll in assistance programs, and establish care with a primary care provider at Guam Community Health Centers. 

A defining feature of the event was the collaboration between experienced physicians and the next generation of healthcare professionals. Under the supervision of attending physicians, including Dr. Joel Paulino and pediatrician Dr. Bob Leon Guerrero, both active providers within the Community Health Centers serving the island’s northern and southern regions, medical students assisted in gathering patient histories and documenting pertinent clinical information. Pre-medical students volunteered at registration tables, helping take vital signs (blood pressure and blood glucose) and coordinating patient flow.

Overall, this outreach represents the beginning of a sustained collaborative effort. By meeting residents where they are and reducing structural barriers to care, Chålan Åmte, Guam Community Health Centers, and Public Health have laid the groundwork for future community-centered initiatives. As Guam continues to address healthcare access disparities, events like this serve as a reminder that meaningful change begins with listening, partnership, and presence. Through continued collaboration, organizers hope to expand outreach efforts, deepen community awareness, and empower more individuals to establish lasting relationships with primary care providers.

Written by: Kayla Paguio | February 22, 2026