Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Medical School Honors Chaminade Graduate Jacquelynn Pratt with ‘Diversity Excellence Award’

Jacquelynn PrattChaminade University alumna Jacquelynn Pratt has received the “Diversity Excellence Award” from A.T. Still University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, where she graduated this spring. The annual award recognizes her commitment to diversity and inclusion in graduate healthcare education.

Born and raised on Oahu, Pratt majored in Biology and English at Chaminade. She earned both bachelor’s degrees in May 2006, while receiving the “Outstanding English Graduate” award.

Pratt participated in numerous research programs at Chaminade in the fields of psychology, cancer biology, ecology and epidemiology. She was also highly involved with campus clubs and organizations, including the Delta Epsilon Sigma and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies.

After graduating from Chaminade, Pratt worked with the Ministry of Health on the Cook Islands to computerize patient data and thereby more accurately calculate the incidence and prevalence of cancer among the native Maori population.

She later returned to Chaminade and served as the Assistant to the Associate Provost in the Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research.

Vidinha and Baldauf First Alumni to Graduate from Medical Schools Through Articulation Agreement

Chauntelle (Maduli) Vidinha and Ashley Baldauf recently became the first Chaminade University alumni to graduate from medical school through an articulation agreement with A.T. Still University (ATSU). These women, both born on Oahu, studied osteopathic medicine and plan to practice in Hawaii after completing their residencies.

Chauntelle Maduli Vidinha
Chauntelle Vidinha (B.S. Biology ’11)

The articulation agreement, negotiated by Chaminade’s Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research (OHPAUR), permits early admission to ATSU for qualified students. Chaminade also maintains articulation agreements with seven other mainland universities.

Chaminade President Bernard Ploeger, SM., said Vidinha and Baldauf are “a source of pride for our campus ‘ohana.”

“I’m delighted that these compassionate, hardworking young women will share their medical talents with Hawaii residents, especially those living in underserved communities,” Bro. Ploeger said.

Vidinha, who enrolled at ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, graduated from Chaminade in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She competed on the Silversword volleyball team for three years, and participated in biomedical research programs at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and the University of California, San Diego.

Ashley Baldauf
Ashley Baldauf (B.S. Forensic Science ’12) with family

Vidinha will complete her residency in family medicine at Kingman Regional Medical Center in Arizona.

Baldauf majored in Forensic Sciences and minored in Chemistry at Chaminade, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2012. She began her medical studies in 2013 at ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Mesa, Arizona, then was allowed to spend the following three years studying and working at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center on Oahu.

Baldauf will serve her residency in family medicine through a University of Hawaii program in Mililani.

In addition to two ATSU school campuses, Chaminade maintains articulation agreements with Boston University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pacific University, Samuel Merritt University, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Dayton and Western University School of Health Sciences.

Higher Education’s “Kuleana” to Make Things “Pono”

“kuleana” – Right, privilege, concern, responsibility, title, business, property, estate, portion, jurisdiction, authority, liability, interest, claim, ownership, tenure, affair, province; reason, cause, function, justification.

“pono” – a Hawaiian word commonly rendered as “righteousness”. The Hawaii state motto: “Ua mau ke kea o ka `aina i ka pono” or “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”  Goodness, uprightness, morality, moral qualities, correct or proper procedure, excellence, well-being, prosperity, welfare, benefit, behalf, equity, sake, true condition or nature, duty; moral, fitting, proper, righteous, right, upright, just, virtuous, fair, beneficial, successful, in perfect order, accurate, correct, eased, relieved; should, ought, must, necessary

Hawai’i is known for its welcoming hospitality, it’s aloha – the unconditional extension of trust and friendship.    Here in Hawai’i the common definition of “kuleana”  is “rights and duties or accountability and responsible stewardship.”  In comparison to most communities, the academic community has immense resources that most institutions are loath to share.  Still, the vast majority of institutions of higher education institutions constantly bemoan their “poverty.”  Yet to those who much is given, much is expected.

Universities worldwide have a “kuleana” to make things in their communities, local, national and global, more “pono”.  Both the academy as well as individual academics have a duty to enhance the general welfare and prosperity of the less fortunate in their communities.  Actions that perpetuate righteousness can start as close as their own neighborhoods.  Academics have for too long been guilty of telling the third biggest lie when they say that “I am from the university and I am here to help you.”  For those of us who are involved with educating and empowering business leaders at all levels, we should be aware of how our engagement prepares those we work with, both in and out of the university, to do well and to do good.

Wayne M. Tanna, Professor of Accounting at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii has developed and implemented service-learning initiatives in his classes to further his students’ educational experiences.  Building on the Hawaiian values of “kuleana” and “pono“, he regularly involves students in activities where service in the field fits into a course curriculum to include tax clinics at homeless shelters and pro-bono legal service assistance in low income communities.  Mr. Tanna has made presentations on service-learning at numerous state, regional and national conferences.  As an exemplary role model for the Chaminade University Marianist community, his volunteer efforts, community non-profit work and activities has garnered him numerous local and national awards and recognitions from the State of Hawaii to the American Bar Association.

This year alone, Mr. Tanna, his students and community collaborators provided tax assistance to over 8,200+ in Hawaii, resulting in over $7.2  million in tax refunds.  Their assistance on tax returns for the homeless and indigent have made the difference in providing the needed deposits for housing to help people out of their homeless situation and  the extra funds for  provisions for transportation, meals and basic daily needs.

As a professor, he teaches classes in taxation, accounting, business law, ethics, management, international law, environmental studies, history, political science, education and pastoral leadership.  Mr. Tanna holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Hawaii, a Juris Doctor from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College and an LL.M. in taxation from McGeorge School of Law.  Mr. Tanna is currently licensed to practice law before all Hawaii State Courts, Federal Courts, U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Time Management is Key, Undergraduate Says, to Balancing Pre-Med Studies, Soccer and Social Life

Incoming senior Megan McClanahan is one of Chaminade University’s “super achievers.” Along with excelling in her pre-medical studies, she competes on the Silversword women’s soccer team, immerses herself in campus issues through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and still has time for social activities.

Megan McClanahan playing soccer

How does she strike a balance among these diverse interests? McClanahan says time management enables her to “not only balance soccer and academics, but to also enjoy a social life.”

“Soccer practice helps me fire up my brain early in the morning so I can perform better in morning classes,” she says. “I usually do homework in the afternoons and evenings. I am a big believer in study groups, and I have found a great group of friends to study with. The last thing I do to balance my life is to get enough sleep. I shoot for at least eight hours a night.”

That formula obviously works for McClanahan, who plans to earn her undergraduate biology degree next year from the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Then this future surgeon will enroll at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences through an articulation agreement negotiated by Chaminade.

“I have known for a very long time I want to be a doctor,” McClanahan says. “During my freshman year, I became aware of the articulation agreement Chaminade has with George Washington. My sophomore year I did more research about GW and viewed it as the next place I want to stop on my journey through life.”

Megan McClanahan studying

With guidance from Chaminade’s Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs, McClanahan was accepted for an interview at George Washington “and fell in love with the Washington, D.C., area and the campus while I was there.”

“As a part of the agreement, I am finishing my time at Chaminade pursuing a humanities minor of Hawaiian and Pacific Island Studies,” McClanahan says. “I am grateful for the opportunities presented to me at Chaminade, and I am eager to begin my next steps to becoming a doctor.”

McClanahan, who hails from the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska, was initially attracted to Chaminade as a high school junior when she participated in a National History Day contest. On the last day of the competition in the nation’s capital, McClanahan won a Chaminade merit scholarship. Then she discovered the Silversword soccer team.

“I spent the next year trying to find a way to get the coaches and athletic department at Chaminade to notice me,” McClanahan says. “Once I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing college soccer, I had a decision to make.

“Should I be fearless and decide to spend the next four years in Hawaii, a place I have never been? Or should I play it safe and stay closer to home? Needless to say, I took a leap of faith and have never looked back with regret.”

$1 Million Awarded to Chaminade in Recognition of National Excellence in Science Programs

Chaminade joins select group of 24 universities nationwide recognized for inclusivity and quality in STEM programs

NSM Student in LabChaminade University of Honolulu today announced a grant of $1 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) as an awardee in the 2017-22 ‘Inclusive Excellence’ program. Chaminade was selected as one of 24 awardees from a pool of over 500 universities who applied for the prestigious recognition as a Howard Hughes Undergraduate Institution. The program will fund culture-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education programs, Hawai‘i-centered research, and activities that link science to family and community for Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

Dr. Helen Turner
Dr. Helen Turner

“Chaminade has been building excellence in STEM for a decade with support from agencies such as National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and Kamehameha Schools, and this award recognizes the tremendous progress we have made in preparing the next generation of Hawai‘i and Pacific scientists” says Dr. Helen Turner, Chaminade’s Dean of Natural Sciences and Principal Investigator of the HHMI Program. “This award takes us to the next level of national recognition for the curriculum and cutting-edge teaching methods our faculty have developed. The HHMI program confronts the challenge of connecting STEM education with culture, family and community – which are critical for our local students to be successful and to build a strong Hawai‘i for the future.”

“Finding a way to include all students, from all backgrounds, in STEM is critical for building future generations of American scientists”, says David Asai, HHMI Senior Director for Science Education. “HHMI recognizes that science excellence depends on having a community of scientists that is rich in diversity of people and perspectives. This national experiment expects that the selected universities will produce useful models to address inclusivity in STEM.”

ABOUT THE HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is the largest private, nonprofit supporter of science education in the United States. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) has created an Inclusive Excellence Commission whose role will be to evaluate the outcomes of this national experiment, and to disseminate to the broader community what is being learned.

Leading a Government Watchdog Group is Tough, but MBA Program Makes It Easier

Given Corie Tanida’s affinity for the nonprofit sector, and her commitment to professional growth, pursuing an MBA at Chaminade University seems like a perfect fit – especially since the graduate program offers flexible scheduling and a Not-For-Profit concentration.

Tanida serves as executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization committed to making government more open, honest and accountable to the people. And heading this statewide watchdog group isn’t easy.

Her formidable responsibilities include: advocating for policy reforms at state and county levels, overseeing civic engagement projects, conducting research, leading fundraising initiatives, coordinating volunteers and managing the Honolulu office.

“For most of my career, I’ve been an organizer, so I knew how to run campaigns, events, etc.,” says Tanida, a former Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. “Most of what I learned was from on-the-job experience and from mentors. I realized that I didn’t have any technical or managerial experience, and these are key skills in any field.”

Earning an MBA, therefore, “would fill that gap.”

Tanida describes her Chaminade professors as “awesome, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.” But an instructor who stands out is John Ciambrone. He taught a course entitled “Strategic Issues in Philanthropy.”

“When I accepted the position of Common Cause executive director, I was worried because I didn’t have much experience in development,” Tanida says. “Thanks to Professor Ciambrone, he gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to create a development program and feel comfortable when working with donors.

“And even though I took his class months ago, he still answers my questions and invites me to workshops and conferences so I can learn more and connect with the philanthropic community. He even gave up his own time and energy to train my board of directors on development,” she continues.

“How many professors genuinely care and go out of their way to help you succeed outside of class?”

Tanida, who plans to graduate from Chaminade this summer, also praises MBA Program Manager and Professor Elizabeth Stone.

“While the assignment was to create a business plan for a completely new nonprofit, Professor Stone knew about my unique position and allowed me to draft the plan about Common Cause Hawaii, which I was able to put to use almost immediately,” Tanida says.

“I’m grateful that she was flexible and that she continued to work with me after the term ended to help me refine the business plan. With Professor Stone’s guidance, I was able to look at Common Cause through a fresh and more objective view.

“Professor Stone has also gone out of her way to help me build my networks and share her experiences in the nonprofit sector with me,” Tanida adds. “Again, another great example of a caring professor who goes out of their way to see you succeed.”