THE Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. on Monday launched the inaugural 2025 Pacific Population Health Summit at the Crowne Plaza’s Hibiscus and Azucena halls, with healthcare leaders and practitioners from across the Pacific sharing knowledge and ideas “to advance healthier and stronger island communities.”
The three-day event, which aims to “strengthen regional health collaboration,” began with a plenary session on culture and wellness, facilitated by CHCC Community Guidance Center Director Reyna Saures at Hibiscus Hall, and an overview of the Pacific Way to Wellness at Azucena Hall, led by CHCC Youth and Young Adult Outreach and Intervention Program Manager Becky Mettao.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases epidemiologist Ashley Tippins, along with Marshall Islands Ministry of Health Immunization Program Manager Noatia Siofilisi, were guest speakers. They discussed childhood coverage assessment in the Pacific islands and shared strategies for increasing uptake.
Today, Tuesday, the summit will feature topics including strategies for conducting meaningful research and men’s health in the Marianas.
On the final day — tomorrow, Wednesday — a Pacific Community Health Information System advisor will join CNMI health leaders to discuss building public health data capacity. CHCC Population Health Chief Operating Officer Halina Palacios will lead a discussion on strengthening communities through a population health approach.
CHCC Marketing & Communications Officer Lee Tenorio, one of the summit facilitators, said the inaugural event marks “a landmark gathering of healthcare leaders, practitioners, and partners from across the Pacific.” He said it serves as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and shared learning to advance healthier and stronger island communities.
Themed “Navigating Pathways Through the Pacific: Building Healthier and Stronger Island Communities,” the summit, Tenorio said, “brings together representatives from Pacific nations and territories to explore a wide array of health issues unique to the region. Participants include public health officials, clinical professionals, behavioral health experts, community partners, and community leaders dedicated to charting new courses in population health.”
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who delivered the opening remarks, said, “This is more than just a conference — it is a journey we are taking together.”
“As we come together in this breathtaking setting, let us reflect on the unique challenges and opportunities that define health in our island communities. The Pacific is a region rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, yet we also face significant health disparities and challenges. From the burgeoning impacts of noncommunicable diseases to the urgent threats posed by climate change, our communities require innovative solutions and resilient pathways toward improved health outcomes,” he said.
Central to the summit is the emphasis on a population health approach — one that focuses not only on treating illness, but also on preventing disease and promoting wellness across entire populations.
CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther Muna said, “Population health is not merely a concept; it is a comprehensive model that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation has committed to and is led by exceptional leaders.”
This model, she said, “ensures that there is no separation of responsibility between clinical health staff and those involved in education and preventive health. By integrating these functions, we are creating a more cohesive and effective system that prioritizes comprehensive care and promotes health for all.”
Tenorio noted that the summit features “a robust agenda that includes presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on topics such as chronic disease management, mental health, maternal and child health, health equity, and the intersection of health and climate resilience.”
With a wide range of speakers and attendees from across the region — including Guam, Palau, the FSM, the Marshalls, Samoa, American Samoa, and New Zealand — the event highlights the power of regional solidarity in advancing public health, he added.
The participants of the 2025 Pacific Population Health Summit pose for a group photo at Crowne Plaza’s Hibiscus Hall on Monday.
Contributed photo
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Adolescent & Reproductive Health Manager Jasilyn Perez talks about teen health.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
