Biannual Newsletter: January-July 2025
Heera Kodiyamplakkal celebrates medical school acceptances, chooses Oregon Health Sciences University
Brandon Lopez, Hunter Sidell, and Heera Kodiyamplakkal represent Chålan Åmte on local radio show, 105.1 FM's The Brightside with Pauly Suba
Advising and UOG Teams organize a medical student panel for UOG premedical students. Panelists Van Michael Saludo, Joshrick Sablan, Kai Akimoto, Ryan Benavente, and Megan Gimmen welcomed attendees to sign-up for long-term advising afterwards.
Nathan Paz and the highschool outreach team present to highschoolers at Harvest Christian Academy. “Leading Futures in Medicine is fulfilling because I get to give high schoolers the guidance I wish I had at their age, inspiring them to pursue healthcare careers with confidence," shares Nathan.
Jia Jia Zhang matches into Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard
Dr. Edison Manaloto, GRMC CMO, speaks with members about his journey from accountant to physician to CMO and encourages members to return home to serve our island communities.
MS4 Ed Biala returns to his alma mater, JFK High School, to present to 20+ students about the path to becoming a doctor.
Chålan Åmte members and Taparra Lab members meet in Oʻahu for a beach potluck.
Dr. Kevin Benavente, Dr. Ariana Barreau, and Dr. Kevin Ruaro advise medical students on clerkships, sub-internships, and residency applications.
Ryan Benavente presents to Marianas Community College students during his funded surgical rotation in Saipan.
Eric Pineda delivers a moving oral presentation at AACR entitled “From patient to advocate: A personal story of roots, resilience, and research”. Eric shares how his journey through cancer treatment fueled his commitment to care for future cancer patients.
Reina Evangelista presents on PIPCHE's Guam breast cancer screening adherence reseaerch at the AACR Conference
Dr. Justin Gimoto starts OB/GYN residency at NYU Langone Hospital in Long Island
Dr. Don Dizon, Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown, speaks about academic medicine, advocacy through social media, and island values as a strength in patient care.
Dr. Tiffie Keung starts residency at University of Michigan Anesthesia
Chålan Åmte medical students publish newspaper letter on physician workforce development
Dr. Ariana Barreau starts Neurology residency at Stanford
Medical students speak with 22 Nortre Dame High School students about becoming a doctor. “When I was growing up on island, I saw medical school and medical students as so far away, and it was often difficult to envision myself in that position... The primary impact of this event is to provide local students with the knowledge that we are local kids who were in their same position here on island… and that we are super motivated to help them get to med school if that's what they would like," shares Kai.
Dr. Kevin Benavente and the resident mentor team share interview tips. “Looking back at my journey applying for residency, I wished I had the mentorship of people who shared the same culture and heritage as me. I am so grateful to have found like-minded trainees who are passionate about mentoring the next batch of Chamorro physicians! It was so inspiring seeing the incredible talent and enthusiasm of the students who attended, and [I] am confident members of Chålan Åmte are destined for truly amazing and groundbreaking things!”, shares Dr. Benavente.
Paul Tominez will start General Surgery residency at Tripler Army Medical Center upon UCSF Medical School graduation
Medical student members unite in Guam for a holiday bonding.
CJ Hattori, Morgan Quinley, and Mason Caldwell represent Chålan Åmte in KUAM news interview.
Van Saludo and Kai Akimoto encourage Guam's young people to consider a career in medicine on The Ray Gibson Show.
Austin Kim returns to his alma mater, St. John's School, to encourage students to consider medical careers.
Resident physicians, medical students, graduate students, and pre-med members across the nation gather virtually to discuss team updates.
Co-founders find time during clinical rotations to make kelaguen, buñelos aga, and BBQ for fellow medical students.
Heera Kodiyamplakkal presents to UOG Upward Bound students about the path to becoming a doctor.
Karla Wang (PA), Kamille Wang (PA), Nikki Del Castillo (dentist), Anita Onedera (vet student), Natasha Serrano (vet student), Adam Perez (pharmacy student), Ed Biala (med student), Megan Gimmen (med student), and Kyra Dela Cruz (rising optometry student) share advice at UOG faculty advisor and student workshop organized by Kayla Paguio, Nicole Pineda, Julie Ann Laxamana, and Ella Macatugal.
Medical students volunteer at GRMC gut health outreach event.
Member Ed Biala assists in surgical care in Samoa alongside mentor Dr. Cecily of JABSOM. Subsequently, Dr. Cecily graciously gave a talk to Chålan Åmte members about surgical care access in the Pacific.
MS3 Brandon Lopez and Dr. Edison Manaloto, GRMC CMO, discuss GRMC x Chålan Åmte collaboration to bring island-raised medical students home for clinical rotations in a KUAM News interview.
MS3 Ryan Benavente speaks to students at Mount Carmel school about careers in medicine.
Austin Kim, pictured above with Kai Akimoto and GRMC's Dr. Constantine, was featured in a UMaryland Newspaper on his funded clinical rotation in Guam.
MS4 Kai Akimoto and MS0 Victoria Santos meet for coffee in Saipan.
Mason Caldwell and Philip Lee at the ACP Hawai’i Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting in Oʻahu. Mason's oral presentation on Chålan Åmte's Guam Specialty Capacity project wins Medical Student Research award.
Policy & Advocacy Team members testify at the Guam Legislature in support of Bill 169-38 which grants autonomy to Guam's Community Health Centers.