Program Director- F2F Leo o Aiga Health Information Center
Department of Health
Pago Pago
RHD Control & Prevention Program Coordinator
After returning to American Samoa in 2011, I was tasked to assist in the 2nd annual cardiology clinic to address the staggering number of local children diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease. From there on, I was involved every year and even particpated in the prevalance study with Oregon Health & Science University, to determine how much of a burden this preventable disease holds on our children population. I have been with our local MCH Program for over 15 years, and have learned first hand how to grow in a very resource-limited environment. Given the challenge, I have been able to utilize tools from the MCH workforce development center to manage this huge problem in our territory. RHD has been eradicated in the whole of US since the 1800s, however, it is a serious threat to the lives of young children in our country every day. A huge part of my job is to find funding that will afford pediatric cardiologists to come to the islands to conduct screening and clinical reviews for children found to have rheumatic heart disease. Also, I am tasked with the responsibility to not only find means to supply health care centers across the islands with penicillin - the only medication to prevent heart failure from RHD, but also to establish an RHD registry and create a standardized system of care that will ensure healthy hearts for our children. The journey has just begun.
Disclosure information not submitted.
B7 - Strengths and Assets of Title V CYSHCN Programs in the Pacific Basin Jurisdictions
Sunday, April 14, 2024
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PT