Tee Abraham, NMC’s dean for community programs and services, said she was satisfied with the turnout for the event which had seven guest speakers: Patricia Coleman of NMC’s Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service; Pas Calvo of NMC’s nursing department; Ed Sablan from NMC’s Area Health Education Center; physical therapist Pam Carhill from the Commonwealth Health Center; Dr. Alberto Ventura of CHC’s dental clinic; Suzanne Lizama from CHC; and Claudine K. Atalig, a certified pharmacy technician of PHI Pharmacy.
According to Abraham, it is the mission of the career day to improve the quality of life for Pacific islanders and all inhabitants of the CNMI by increasing the supply of well-trained and culturally competent health care providers working in rural and underserved communities.
Its main objective, she added, is to educate the attendees of the different opportunities in the medical and health fields in the CNMI.
During the session, speakers noted the 15 health field professions all available in the commonwealth. These are physical therapist, speech therapist, nutritionist, social worker, pharmacist, cardiologist, nurse, pharmacy technician, dentist, pediatrician, orthodontist, anesthesiologist, gynecology, nephrology and psychologist.
AHEC coordinator David Apatang Jr. said it is important to enlighten the minds of students about what awaits them after fulfilling their high school and college education here and abroad.
He also urged the islands’ scholars and students who are off-island to come back and work in the commonwealth.
Besides the lectures and presentations, the event also featured informational booths.
Many were seen inquiring at the booths of the CNMI scholarship program and the NMC’s administration and records office.
At the end of the workshop, each participant was asked how the information provided to them could help them in making career decision.
According to 15-year-old Darrel S. Reyes from Tinian High School, the event was informative and gave them a clear understanding about the health career options in the CNMI.
He commended the speakers for providing them with vital information about specific medical fields such as nursing and pharmacy.
Newly graduate Carmen San Nicolas, 17, from Tinian, praised NMC for organizing the event.
San Nicolas will study a the University of Guam where she plans to major in criminal justice.
She said she will enroll in a medical program once she completes her degree.
