UHMC Graduates First Group of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi School Health Aides

Pictured left to right: Kate Bartolome, Regina Aganos, Marlene Baltero, Carissa Taufahema, instructor Bethany Legin, Claire Kalawe, Christine Espirito, Charlaine Amine, Surficia Mowat, Myrna Vinoray Tagud, Minka Nelson. Not pictured: Lori Aiwohi, Janna Lin Kee-Espaniola.

The first School Health Aides from Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i have completed a Level One certificate training at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

Four graduates from Moloka‘i; Lori Aiwohi, Claire Kalawe, Janna Lin Kee-Espaniola, and Minka Nelson joined one graduate from Lāna‘i; Marlene Baltero, and seven graduates from Maui; Regina Aganos, Charlaine Amine, Kate Bartolome, Christine Espirito, Surficia Mowat, Carissa Taufahema, and Myrna Vinoray Tagud.

The class of 12 is the second group to earn certificates after the first class graduated in the Fall of 2015.

Training was developed by the nursing faculty at Kapiʻolani Community College and focuses on best practices to keep keiki healthy, safe and ready to learn.

UHMC hopes to train all remaining School Health Aides in Maui County before grant funding runs out.

Program administrators say they also look forward to Kapiʻolani’s Level 2 training that will be offered next summer in Maui County.

A ceremony was held on the UHMC campus on July 15th to celebrate the event.

The twelve SHAs and SHA substitutes from Kaunakakai, Kahului, Kilohana, King Kamehameha III, Lihikai, Maunaloa, Pukalani, Princess Nāhi’ena’ena, and Pu’u Kukui Elementary Schools, Lahaina Intermediate, and Lāna‘i High & Elementary School were presented with certificates and leis from nursing faculty, instructors, family members, and public health nurses from the Department of Health. The graduates join six other SHAs from Pōmaika‘i, Waihe‘e, and Wailuku Elementary Schools, ʻĪao Intermediate, Baldwin, and Lahainaluna, who were the first group to complete the training in Fall 2015.

“This course has taught me a lot more. I know I can do my job better and with more confidence,” said Christine Espirito.

A partnership with Kapiʻolani and the Department of Education provides a full tuition waiver for all students. Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Lahaina students were able to attend classes through UHMC’s videoconferencing facilities.

Additional sponsorship from the Maui County Area Health Education Center and Makani Kai Airlines made it possible for Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i students to travel to Maui for lab sessions and for their graduation day.

The project is also supported by a US Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant awarded on Oct. 1, 2014, which is designed to meet Maui County’s need for a skilled health and social services workforce.

To learn more about the School Health Aide certificate training, visit maui.hawaii.edu/sha, or contact Selene LeGare, Health Program Specialist, at (808) 984-3274.