HER name is Susan de Veyra — a super amazing nurse at CHCC. If you don’t know her, then you’re either not from Saipan, Tinian or Rota; or you or any member of your family have never been to CHCC. If you know her then your parents, grandparents and even great grandparents knew her too — 33 years working in the healthcare industry should be enough to be known by three generations.
Susan de Veyra, right, with Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther Muna.
In 1989, the waves of nursing fate brought her to the Commonwealth Health Center now known as the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. Lured by the calmness and beauty of island life, she stayed, even though there were so many other opportunities somewhere else. She made Saipan her second home for more than half of her life. I’m not saying she’s one of the manamko’; she’s always been young at heart. As a nurse myself, I saw how she worked and I admire her — the dedication and passion in her chosen vocation. If she can work hard she can play even harder. She loves parties, going out with friends to buffets at hotels or restaurants.
I was amazed when I learned just an hour before writing this piece that the Divine Word University in Tacloban City in the central Philippines is her alma mater. The toughest college of nursing in the region with 100% passing rate for Philippine nursing licensure examinations. I also set foot on the grounds and in the buildings of this college, until they closed their doors when I was in the second year of the BSN program.
When I saw her social media feed and learned that she has decided to retire, I was surprised. It never occurred to me that she wanted to retire. She still has the agility to perform the job pretty well. I knew nurses who retired and after a month went back to the workforce as a part-timers because they were bored. I’m pretty sure she will miss Saipan so much, but Saipan will miss her even more — her caring hands and passionate heart.
Dear CNMI senators, I think Susan deserves a Senate resolution or a humanities award. Thank you.
I care.
Sincerely,
RIZA RAMOS, BSN, RN
former CHCC Staff Nurse
Bismarck, North Dakota
