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Chaminade Partners on Cutting-edge AI Research

Project seeks to leverage AI to advance health equity

Chaminade University is a proud collaborator with the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawai’i on cutting-edge work designed to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to advance health equity and research diversity in Hawai’i and the Pacific.

Chaminade will contribute to a JABSOM-led project that recently received a $500,000 Phase II award from the National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity) program.

The work is aimed at using AI to enhance public health and reduce disparities, and the Hawai’i researchers plan to do that by deploying student researchers for new opportunities and “skilling up” AI experts so they can then serve as “navigators” for key stakeholders.

Dr. Alex Stokes is the principal investigator of the project at JABSOM and will collaborate closely with Dr. Helen Turner, research director at Chaminade’s CIFAL Honolulu Center, and her team.

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Turner said Chaminade is a key partner with the University of Hawai’i and the national AIM-AHEAD consortium on the ARCH project, which stands for AI Resource Concierge for Healthcare.

“The ‘resource concierge’ is a web gateway for researchers, community, healthcare providers and policymakers to access AI/ML tools, datasets and the training and technical assistance needed to use them in support of their missions in health equity,” Turner said.

Dr. Helen Turner
Dr. Helen Turner

Turner added the JABSOM and Chaminade teams implemented a Phase I ARCH pilot in 2023-24 that offered AI resources to healthcare stakeholders, conducted a landscape needs assessment survey, and trained a new class of “AI navigators” to assist healthcare users in understanding the potential of AI to reduce health equity.

The team also started proof-of-concept research projects applying AI to health equity challenges, such as diabetes and PTSD, with collaborators from Hawai’i, American Samoa and Aotearoa.

“The successful ARCH-Hawaii pilot was selected for a competitive ‘Phase II’ to take it national, which is a wonderful development ” said Turner, adding the Chaminade team—which in addition to Turner, as principal investigator of an NSF Alliances grant, also includes Dr. Catherine Brockway and Connor Flynn—will contribute to the next phase of the AIM AHEAD project by implementing a national training curriculum (deploying the CIFAL Center’s UN short course model) to “skill up” AI navigators.

Those navigators will then help stakeholders to apply AI to their health equity projects.

Additionally, the grant will help support new opportunities for student researchers, including internships, a “health equity hackathon,” and other health equity projects during the school year.

Interested in learning more about the grants mentioned in this article?

Nursing Students Volunteer at Lanaʻi Health Fair

Students shared health messages on safety at home and nutrition

Chaminade Nursing students traveled to Lana’i recently to share important health prevention messaging with community members. Along the way, they also got some lessons of their own about the unique challenges that residents of rural communities face in accessing healthcare and other services.

A group of eight students, members of Chaminade’s Student Nurses’ Association, made the trek to Lana’i on Nov. 9 with Assistant Professor Jennifer Nafarrete, Ed.D. for the Lāna‘i Kinā‘ole Health Fair.

During the daylong event, Chaminade students broke up into two groups, with one focused on sharing information on fire and fall prevention safety at home and the other focused on nutrition messaging.

Association President Presh Coloma ’25 said students were excited to meet with members of rural communities on Lana’i. The island is home to about 3,000 people and has limited options for healthcare.

“They don’t have access to many resources,” Coloma said. “Our audience was from little kids to the elderly. It definitely tested our Nursing students really well because attendees had so many questions.”

For example, Coloma said, one attendee wanted to know how to determine if the foods in the local grocery store were diabetes-friendly. Another attendee asked for information about specific resources on Lanai’i, requiring students to do some homework of their own so that they could help.

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Coloma said she spoke to a resident who had to travel to O’ahu regularly for cancer treatment.

“Patients like her lack medication adherence because they don’t have those resources,” she said.

Nafarrete said in addition to speaking to event attendees, the Chaminade students got the chance to make the rounds to chat with other organizations represented at the health fair. “They learned a lot about rural access to health care,” she said, adding the group is hoping to return soon.

In the meantime, though, the Chaminade Student Nurses’ Association is staying busy.

On the same day that students in the group traveled to Lana’i, another cadre volunteered to help manage the first-aid tent at the 2024 Hawai’i Parkinson’s Walk. And students in the association will also be running the first-aid tent at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Day dinner at Blaisdell Center.

Students Stage Agatha Christie Thriller

‘Love From a Stranger’ will come alive at the Black Box Theatre

You won’t want to miss the Chaminade Drama Club‘s latest production, “Love From a Stranger.”

The play, based on Agatha Christie’s short story “Philomel Cottage,” makes its debut on Nov. 15.

Club treasurer and set designer Caleb Cloud ’25 said the play showcases gender-blind casting.

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“There’s a lot of diversity and inclusion within the Club,” he added.

“Love From a Stranger” is psychological thriller about an heiress (Cecily Harrington), who rejects her longtime fiancé (Nigel Lawrence) in favor of a charming man (Bruce Lovell) she barely knows.

Zana Kimura ’25 is the production’s stage manager and also takes on the role of Mavis Wilson.

Kimura, who transferred to Chaminade in her second semester, said she joined the University’s Drama Club because she wanted to meet new people.

That’s exactly what she’s done, Kimura said, building friendships while staging the production.

Rian Sydney Pagtakhan provides stage direction to Willow McKay and Emily Cooper.
Rian Sydney Pagtakhan provides stage direction to Jules Mattes, left, and Willow McKay.

The three-act play unfolds when Harrington is shown packing up her London flat. Enter Bruce Lovell, a charming stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

In a whirlwind romance, Harrington abandons her job, friends and fiancé to settle in a country cottage. However, her newfound “love from a stranger” is not what it seems and in an astonishingly tense final scene, Harrington discovers the ghastly truth of her new love.

Rian Pagtakhan ’25, the production’s director who also plays the role of Auntie Loo-Loo, said the play required creativity—and lots of hard work.

“I’m proud to say that every Club member has contributed to this production,” Pagtakhan said.

“We found an old sewing table and a rotary phone for the set in the props room,” Cloud added. “We looked for pieces that would represent London in the 1930.”

Reflecting the clothing of that era, the costumes were designed by Randrielle Yola ’26.

“We had to get creative,” Yola said. “But we did pretty well.”

SHOW DETAILS:

Where: Vi and Paul Loo Theatre, Clarence T.C. Ching Hall, Black Box Theatre
When: Nov. 15-17, from 7-9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Click here to reserve your seat

Cast Members:
Willow McKay—Cecily Harrington
Micah Sanders—Nigel Lawrence
Jules Mattes—Bruce Lovell
Rian Sydney Pagtakhan—Director/Auntie Loo-Loo
Alexia Mae Eleccion—Dr. Gribble
Evan Cromer—Stage Manager/Hodgson
Emily Cooper—Ethel
Zana Kimura—Stage Manager/Mavis Willson

Technical Design:
Brielle “Lilinoe” Lo—Sound Designer
Lavelle White—Lighting Designer

Set Design:
Caleb Cloud—Set Designer
Greta Bornmann—Set Designer

Costume Designer:
Randrielle Yola

Celebrating Culture: Pacific Island Review

Students spent months rehearsing for the big night

Hantricia “Hanny” Lipai ’28 and Charisma Mitipok ’28 said they were excited—and a little nervous—when they made their debut performance with the Micronesian Club at the annual Pacific Island Review on Chaminade’s Sullivan Family Library Lawn. By the end of the night, they were both all smiles.

“I can’t wait to do it again next year!” Mitipok exclaimed.

Pacific Island Review, a signature fall event at Chaminade, celebrates Pacific Island culture, food and entertainment. The gathering Nov. 8 was no exception, with attendees cheering on performances from student cultural clubs, including Ka Ipu Kukui Me ka ‘ie ‘ie (the Hawaiian Club), Taotao Marianas Club, the Micronesian Club, The Filipino Club, and Lumana’i O Samoa (the Samoan Club).

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Students spent months preparing for the big day, practicing in the evenings and on weekends.

Director of Student Engagement Joanna Cecilio had been watching those rehearsals and said she was incredibly proud of all the student participants.

She noted the event highlights Chaminade’s rich diversity.

“Pacific Island Review allows our community to smile, laugh and be joyful together,” added Student Engagement Coordinator Andrew Ancheta ’21. “It is through this event that the life of our cultural diversity on campus is manifested into something tangible, something moving and powerful.”

  • Wearing traditional Marshallese earrings, necklaces and grass skirts, the Micronesian Club entered the Sullivan Family Library Lawn with a lyrical chant.
    Wearing traditional Marshallese earrings, necklaces and grass skirts, the Micronesian Club entered the Sullivan Family Library Lawn with a lyrical chant.
  • Nikki Katahara-Tom '25 won the crowd over with her graceful hula dance.
    Nikki Katahara-Tom ’25 won the crowd over with her graceful hula dance.
  • Wearing tradition Filipino clothing, members of The Filipino Club performed traditional dances mixed in with an unexpected rap song.
    Wearing tradition Filipino clothing, members of The Filipino Club performed traditional dances mixed in with an unexpected rap song.
  • Dancers from the TaoTao Marianas Club had the crowd cheering.
    Dancers from the TaoTao Marianas Club had the crowd cheering.
  • The men of the TaoTao Marianas Club opened with a song in praise of their ancestors and culture.
    The men of the TaoTao Marianas Club opened with a song in praise of their ancestors and culture.

Sano Tanna ’26 previously performed at the event and this year volunteered at a food station.

Tanna said the event brings the Silversword and surrounding community together.

“I see a lot of area residents attend,” said Tanna. “It’s a long tradition.”

Mitipok, who performed with the Micronesian Club, said she joined the cultural organization to meet fellow Micronesians at Chaminade and celebrate her culture.

“I wanted to learn more about my culture and connect with other Micronesians on campus,” she said.

The Hawaiian Club was first to step on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn at the event.

Nikki Katahara-Tom ’25 wowed the crowd with a solo hula that paid tribute to the ʻāina.

“I’ve been participating since I was a freshman,” said Tom, a Nursing student. “This event allows us to share our culture and, at the same time, learn about other Pacific Islanders’ cultures.”

The Hawaiian Club was followed by the TaoTao Marianas, with the men opening with a stirring song, and an homage to their ancestors and land. “We share our love of being back on the island,” said Isaiah Atalig ’25, president of the TaoTao Marianist Club. “This event offers a glimpse into our ’ohana at Chaminade.”

He added, “This night is what we all look forward to and talk about all year.”

Preview Day Draws Future Silverswords

Chaminade’s president says the event spotlights what makes the University unique

Scores of future Silverswords converged on campus November 2 for Preview Day.

The open house is designed to introduce prospective students and their families to the University’s programs, campus life, and vibrant community. Attendees experienced firsthand what it might be like to be a Silversword, with a full day of activities, information sessions, and interactive experiences.

“We were thrilled to open our campus to so many enthusiastic future Silverswords and their families,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “Preview Day was a wonderful opportunity to share what makes Chaminade unique—from our supportive community to our innovative academic programs.”

Throughout the day, students and families explored Chaminade’s more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors and 13 graduate programs. Faculty members and support staff were on hand to answer questions while a cadre of student ambassadors conducted tours of campus.

The day also featured interactive activities, such as a mock crime scene investigation and a nursing simulation and skills lab tour. Science enthusiasts enjoyed an open house of Chaminade’s fully-equipped labs, engaging with fields like biology, chemistry, and environmental science.

Among those who came out for Preview Day was Hawai’i high school senior Paolo Vietor, who hopes to attend Chaminade to study nursing. He said the open house helped solidify his choice of universities and also allowed him to learn about Chaminade’s other offerings, including extracurriculars.

“I think this could be the school for me,” he said.

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Kaisah Kaaihili is interested in furthering her career working with young children and was drawn to Chaminade’s education and school counseling programs. “Lots of information, lots of resources, I didn’t know how much scholarships they had,” she said, of the Preview Day event.

“Sword Sessions” offered at Preview Day provided themed presentations, including a financial aid overview that explained the FAFSA process and offered practical advice on financing higher education.

Attendees also learned about Chaminade’s Hawaii Guarantee tuition match, which ensures graduates from Hawai’i high schools entering as freshmen pay the same annual tuition rate as resident undergraduates at UH-Manoa, along with a path to graduate in four years.

Beach Transformed for CSI Simulation

Chaminade University Forensic Sciences students drew curious glances at a mock crime scene investigation held at Kaimana Beach this week. A field was transformed into a simulated investigation zone as students in full CSI gear took notes and captured crime scene photos.

Also in Campus News: Forensic Sciences Research in Spotlight

Organizers said the mock crime scene investigation allows students to put theory into practice. Participants practiced evidence collection and analysis along with meticulous scene documentation.

Chaminade Forensic Sciences students document a mock crime scene at Kaimana Beach.

Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences program is known for its hands-on approach to learning, blending rigorous academics with real-world applications. The realistic set-up in Waikiki demonstrated Chaminade’s commitment to giving students opportunities to learn by doing.

To read more about Forensic Sciences at Chaminade, click here.