Chaminade University of Honolulu

Nursing & Health Professions

Chaminade Partners with Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools

As part of an innovative new program aimed at bolstering community health, the School of Nursing and Health Professions has partnered with Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools to place doctoral nursing students on campuses for everything from everyday ailments to health education.

There are currently students at two campuses—and plans for expansion.

Linda Malone, DNP, an associate professor of nursing, said school-based health services are oftentimes an overlooked area of community-based care. But ensuring children are healthier—and making healthier choices—can have broad positive impacts on their schooling and lives.

“School-based health and school healthcare has long been proven to keep kids healthier,” Malone said. “And if you’re keeping them healthy, you’re keeping them in school.”

She added the pilot program, made possible thanks to Marianist Sponsorship Ministries Foundation grants, is especially focused on prevention messaging.

At St Joseph’s Parish School in Waipahu, Haylee Carlson, DNP ’27, put together a special health education newsletter for parents and health promotion presentations for students in third through eighth grades focusing on topics like healthy eating and exercise. At Our Lady Of Good Counsel School in Pearl City, Michelle Burns, DNP ’26, set up a tent to see students and also offered health education classes.

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Dr. Llewellyn Young, superintendent of Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools, said the initiative is filling a “critical gap” by providing regular on-site care on campuses that don’t have the resources to fund a school nurse.

“This pilot partnership is incredibly important to me because it directly supports the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our students,” Young said. “More importantly, it reflects the Catholic Church’s mission to serve the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.”

Young added that Chaminade doctoral students serving on the campuses not only give administrators and teachers peace of mind, but offer proactive education on wellness and even early identification of mental health needs. “Looking ahead, I hope to expand this partnership to more of our Catholic schools—especially those in underserved areas,” Young said.

“This is more than a healthcare initiative—it is a ministry of healing and accompaniment, and we are deeply grateful for Chaminade University’s shared commitment to this vision.”

Burns, who is at the Pearl City campus, said the program has given her a new appreciation of school-based care.

As a registered nurse, Burns evaluates students who are feeling ill or have been injured on campus. But the real highlight for Burns, who is in the pediatric nurse practitioner track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, has been developing age-appropriate educational curricula covering everything from good sleep habits to calming techniques to hygiene.

“This partnership has shown me a different part of nursing that I haven’t been exposed to yet,” Burns said. “Starting up a health room takes a lot of planning. In addition to my nursing skills, I’ve learned how to create forms specifically for school health clinics, collaborate with school administration, and communicate with parents or guardians when needed.”

Carlson, also in the pediatric nurse practitioner track, said she jumped at the opportunity to contribute at the Waipahu school after hearing about the pilot from Malone.

“School health has always been an interest of mine, and I decided to go for it because it’s an excellent opportunity to give back to the community,” Carlson said. “Establishing health services will provide increased access to healthcare for children and help decrease sickness and absenteeism as a result.”

She added a highlight of the work, in addition to serving young students and providing health education programming, is working with undergraduate nursing students at Chaminade who are completing clinical hours at the Catholic schools. “This pilot has provided me the chance to solidify my assessment skills and get creative with healthcare in a school environment,” she said.

“We’re making a positive impact on these children and their families.”

This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

Chaminade to Launch New Nutrition Degree

Chaminade University will launch a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition program in Fall 2026, inviting students to delve deep into the science of health and wellness and then challenging them to apply their knowledge with hands-on projects that tackle public health challenges.

Pamela Smith, Ed.D., vice dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, called the Nutrition program a perfect complement to the University’s existing strengths in nursing and public health and said the addition will help create pathways to interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Nutrition plays a vital role in every stage of life and in every aspect of health,” Smith said.

“By combining rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, and nutritional science with hands-on experiential learning, the new program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to guide individuals, families, and communities toward healthier futures,” Smith said.

Students will explore areas such as food systems, cultural influences on diet, chronic disease prevention, and the relationship between nutrition and social determinants of health. Rooted in Chaminade’s service-focused mission, the program will also emphasize the importance of addressing social disparities in the Pacific through culturally responsive initiatives.

School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Lorin Ramocki, DNP, said that the Nutrition major and minor will stress versatility, giving students the opportunity to pursue health topics and personal projects they’re interested in. “It’s absolutely a hands-on curriculum,” she said.

Ramocki added Nutrition students will work closely with those across the school, mimicking the interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals they would encounter in hospitals, not-for-profit organizations and elsewhere in community settings.

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“It’s pulling all those pieces together so we can prepare our workforce,” she said.

Smith noted that Chaminade is launching its Nutrition program as the demand for trained nutrition professionals continues to grow in the islands and nationwide. “When we’re talking about disease prevention and treatment, nutrition plays a key role,” she said.

Smith said in addition to a curriculum that stresses experiential learning and real-world application, students in the Nutrition program will benefit from personalized academic planning, faculty mentorship and opportunities to work with community partners.

“At its heart, the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition reflects Chaminade’s mission: to foster education that is transformative, community-oriented, and deeply rooted in the values of justice, peace, and service,” Smith said. “By integrating nutrition into its academic offerings, the university is nourishing not just bodies, but communities—and cultivating future leaders.”

There’s also a shortage of registered dietitians in Hawai’i, a role that requires a master’s degree. Chaminade University plans to begin offering a master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2027 so that students can further their studies and better Hawaii’s workforce needs.

Chaminade has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open a program to prepare registered dietitian nutritionists in early 2027.

The University’s eligibility application was accepted by ACEND* and is in the candidacy process for a proposed Future Education Model Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.

For more information on Chaminade’s candidacy, contact Smith at [email protected] or 808-735-4862.

Nursing Students Honored With Pinning Ceremony

Silversword nursing students recently gathered for the time-honored Pinning Ceremony.

The event marks the completion of their undergraduate studies and the beginning of their careers in healthcare.

Some 19 students were honored at the ceremony August 19, receiving their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) stoles and pins, and reciting the International Pledge for Nurses.

Lorin Ramocki, DNP, RN, dean of Chaminade’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, congratulated the graduating nursing students.

“This tradition dates back to Florence Nightingale, with the pin representing the transition from student to professional nurse and the pledge to uphold the highest standards of care as they serve the community,” Ramocki explained.

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She added that the celebration “recognizes our graduates’ hard work and dedication, while affirming their readiness to serve with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to the values of service, justice, and peace that define our Marianist mission.”

Among the students honored was Janine Manuel ’25.

“It’s been a long journey and, right now, it doesn’t feel real,” Manuel said, after the ceremony.

She added that while her nursing studies were difficult, and she thought of quitting on several occasions, she decided to stick with it because of the encouragement she received from her professors, family and friends.

“With that, I just felt like I could thrive as an RN,” she said.

To learn more about Chaminade’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing, click here.

Chaminade Awarded $2.3M to Bolster Behavioral Health Workforce

To help fill the urgent demand for more mental health services, Chaminade University of Honolulu has been awarded a $2.34 million federal grant over four years to expand and strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce.

The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) award provided by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports Chaminade’s initiative to develop a health care workforce in a comprehensive effort to address the acute shortage of mental health professionals across the islands.

Dr. Pamela Smith (Associate Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions)
Pamela Smith, EdD, APRN-Rx

Hawai‘i is facing a critical shortage of mental health services, especially for children, adolescents and homeless members of the community. The lingering effects of the pandemic, recent natural disasters such as the Maui wildfires, compounded by economic uncertainty and systemic healthcare gaps, have driven an unprecedented demand for behavioral health support.

The BHWET initiative will primarily serve young adults and marginalized populations throughout Hawai‘i, ensuring that care reaches those who need it most.

By equipping nurse practitioners with advanced behavioral health training and embedding them in community health settings, Chaminade University aims to transform access to care across the state.

The grant, awarded to Chaminade’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will provide support to students, faculty, clinical preceptors, and community organizations in order to educate future PMHNPs in an interprofessional setting while concurrently strengthening the interdisciplinary team approach to delivering care.

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“Our mission is rooted in developing a workforce capable of serving the community,” said Dr. Pamela Smith, vice dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions and DNP director. “With this support, we’re not only expanding educational access for future PMHNPs, we’re directly addressing the workforce gaps that are preventing families and children from getting the care they need.”

This latest grant strengthens Chaminade University’s mission to serve Hawai‘i by investing in the next generation of mental health providers and expanding access to care where it’s needed most.

Dr. Lorin Ramocki, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, added that by advancing workforce training and community-based partnerships, “Chaminade is taking meaningful steps to close the mental health care gap and uplift underserved populations across the state.”

As Chaminade’s PMHNP track coordinator and grant program lead, Dr. Dana Monday will work with key community collaborators in this initiative, including the Institute of Human Services (IHS) and Child and Family Services (CFS). Both agencies offer deeply rooted, community-based services to vulnerable populations.

Chaminade’s BHWET initiative directly addresses this crisis through a multi-faceted approach:

• Recruitment and Training: The program will support and train a new generation of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) by providing targeted financial support to students in Chaminade’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, lowering economic barriers to entry into this vital field.

• Field Placement and Experiential Learning: New and expanded partnerships with community organizations will provide students with hands-on experience in integrated care settings across high-need areas, particularly in underserved communities.

• Interprofessional and Team-Based Training: Students will train alongside professionals from various health disciplines, learning to deliver collaborative, holistic care that integrates behavioral health into primary care environments.

• Preceptor Development: The program will also focus on increasing the capacity of experienced behavioral health professionals to serve as clinical preceptors and mentors for the next generation of practitioners.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaminade has graduated more than 650 students in behavioral health majors, including Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD), Bachelor’s in Psychology, Masters in Counseling Psychology (MSCP), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and started Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) and Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT) programs.

The DNP program, launched in 2021, has four specialty tracks, including Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Executive Leader, and the only Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program in the state.

(HRSA Award Grant No. M01HP54853-01-00)

Nursing Professor Receives Prestigious Honor

Chaminade Associate Professor Marife Aczon-Armstrong, MSCP ’03, Ph.D. has been selected for induction into the American Academy of Nursing’s 2025 Class of Fellows, a prestigious honor reserved for leaders in the field who have made substantial contributions to health care.

This year’s fellows hail from 42 states and 12 countries. They will join 3,200 active Academy Fellows who “together advance the Academy’s mission of improving health and achieving health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science.”

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Aczon-Armstrong has been a nationally board certified nurse case manager for 25 years, and a Fulbright Senior Specialist for more than a decade. In addition to a doctoral degree in nursing, she holds master’s degrees in nursing and counseling psychology along with multiple certifications.

Marife Aczon-Armstrong

Lorin Ramocki, DNP, interim dean of Chaminade’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, congratulated Aczon-Armstrong on receiving “one of the highest honors in our profession” with her induction as a 2025 fellow.

“This recognition reflects not only her extraordinary contributions to leadership and nursing education, but also elevates the national profile of our School and its commitment to advancing health equity and innovation,” Ramocki said.

The academy said the 2025 Class of Fellows was selected from a historically high number of applicants.

The fellows will be formally recognized at a conference in October in Washington, D.C.

“I cannot emphasize enough at this pivotal time in history the vital importance of recognizing this extraordinary and sizeable group of nurse leaders. With rich and varied backgrounds from practice, policy, research, entrepreneurship, and academia, they have been instrumental in using nursing’s holistic approach to improve the health of patients and communities throughout the world,” said Academy President Linda D. Scott, Ph.D.

Also among the 2025 Class of Fellows: Sondra Leiggi Brandon, a member of the University’s Board of Governors. Brandon is vice president of Patient Care, Behavioral Health at the Queen’s Health Systems.

Nursing Doctoral Students Put Theory Into Practice

Stepping away from their online learning, Chaminade Doctor of Nursing Practice students gathered on campus last month for an immersive week of hands-on instruction and collaboration.

“The DNP immersion allows students to connect with their faculty in-person and network with peers and community members,” said Pamela Smith, Ed.D., APRN-Rx, FNP-BC, director of the DNP program and associate dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

“The immersion also allows students an opportunity to practice skills they would not be able to experience virtually.”

Parts of the immersion schedule included all DNP students, but there were also track-specific breakouts.

For example, Family Nurse and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track students attended sessions in suturing, case studies and advanced health assessments. Meanwhile, students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track attended workshops on therapy technique.

DNP students gather annually for the immersion experience.

And Smith said that while skills building and application are front and center, there is also plenty of time set aside for connecting with fellow cohort members and for strengthening relationships with faculty mentors.

Those in-person connections were a highlight of the week for Amy Olsen, DNP ’26.

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“I know there is a lot of planning that goes into the immersion week,” said Olsen, who is in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track. “All the professors make sure we feel seen as individuals and plan meaningful group events for us. I love being on Chaminade’s beautiful, peaceful campus, surrounded by fragrant flowering trees and stunning architecture.”

Olsen is pursuing a DNP after two decades in the profession.

She is seeking the advanced degree to build on her leadership and clinical skills.

“Being a nurse is how I give back to the community, and it has enriched my life in many ways,” she said. “So I decided to challenge myself by going back to school, and now I’m excited to be a DNP because it’s still fundamentally nursing and I’ll be able to have a more powerful impact on people’s lives.”

Michelle Burns, DNP ’26 (left), who is pursuing the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, said the immersion program helped her build stronger connections with her fellow students.

Michelle Burns, DNP ’26, who is pursuing the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, said that completing proctored skills assessment during the immersion program was a rewarding challenge.

“I am truly grateful to have such a supportive Nursing program administration team and it reflects Chaminade University’s mission to provide education in a collaborative learning environment,” Burns said, adding she also appreciated catching up with friends and professors.

Burns, a school nurse at Our Lady of Good Counsel School as part of a new pilot program with Chaminade, said the immersion experience is a “great way to bring all the DNP students together and put our learning into practice.”

“We all come from different backgrounds and levels of expertise, and it’s nice to have the opportunity to come together and learn from and support each other.”