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.