American Samoa AHEC

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

Congratulations, Ladies and Gentlemen!

19/07/2026

15/07/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 American Samoa CANOE Pre-Health Academy Cohort🎉🎓

The CANOE (Create And Navigate Occupations in Education) Pre-Health Academy is a regional pipeline program that inspires and prepares Pacific Island students to pursue careers in healthcare. Held simultaneously this year in American Samoa, Hilo (Hawaiʻi), Pohnpei (FSM), Palau, and Saipan (CNMI), the academy equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Here in American Samoa, our students immersed themselves in an unforgettable month of learning and growth. They explored a wide range of healthcare careers through clinical shadowing experiences, participated in hands-on workshops and cultural wellness activities, strengthened their leadership and teamwork skills, and gained valuable exposure to college and career pathways in health.

Along the way, every student earned:
✅ Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
✅ American Heart Association CPR/AED Certification
✅ Stop the Bleed Certification
✅ 3 college credits by successfully completing Health 123 through the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.

And this morning, we received the best news of all…

Every single student passed the course with an A🌟👏 An awesome start to their college journeys!

This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication of our students, the support of their families, and the commitment of the many partners and mentors who invested in their success.

Fa’afetai tele to our instructors, healthcare professionals, community partners and everyone who helped make this year’s academy possible. Together, we are truly growing our own healers and building a stronger healthcare workforce for the future of American Samoa.

Student Roster:
Ariel Villanueva Jr.
Arlene Nofo Ioka
Elliyah Rose Dela Cruz Catral
Emma-Lei Iris Painter
Faaletino Sene Lin
Ida Kelera Underwood
Jordan Siaosi Reid
Joslynn Marina Lamese
Julia Tapafua Kapeliele
Kathy Sulusi
Lord Lucius Adam Flotildes Agudo
Marinette Puni Ioane
Nepherehtiti Jodie Suatia
Sialevene Lutali
Susana Kupa

Congratulations once again, Class of 2026! We are incredibly proud of you, and we can’t wait to see where your journey leads next💚🌺

13/07/2026

There’s something powerful about seeing our future healthcare professionals dressed in their AHEC green scrubs and white coats. Our CANOE Scholars didn’t just look the part—they took another meaningful step toward becoming the next generation of healers for American Samoa.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff and leadership of LBJ Tropical Medical Center for their continued partnership and commitment to our students. Through this collaboration, our scholars are able to experience healthcare beyond the classroom, helping us fulfill our shared vision to Grow Our Own Healers.

Healthcare career shadowing gives students an invaluable opportunity to observe real patient care, explore different health professions, ask questions, and connect what they learn in class with the realities of the workplace. These experiences build confidence, strengthen career goals, and inspire students to pursue the healthcare professions our community needs most.

There’s also value in dressing the part. Wearing scrubs and a white coat helps students embrace the professionalism, responsibility, and compassion expected of healthcare providers. It reminds them that every interaction matters and that the journey to becoming a trusted healthcare professional begins long before graduation.

Thank you again to LBJ Tropical Medical Center for investing in our students and our future healthcare workforce. Together, we are creating opportunities, building partnerships, and preparing the next generation to serve the people of American Samoa.

💚🤍

11/07/2026

Culturally Inspired Mental Health Day (Part 2)🌺☀️

What an unforgettable day for our CANOE students!

Our journey began with a bus ride to Amouli—an adventure in itself. For some of our students, today marked their very first time riding a bus, making the experience even more memorable.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Mr. Peter Talivaa and his family, who graciously opened their home and shared the beauty of Samoan culture with us. Students experienced the preparation of a traditional umu and had the opportunity to learn hands-on cultural skills, including weaving a mailo, husking a coconut, and making pepeʻe.

Afterward, everyone gathered to enjoy an incredible buffet featuring traditional Samoan favorites, including faiai pilikaki, palusami, breadfruit, and banana. For many of our students, this was their first time tasting these simple yet deeply meaningful cultural staples—a reminder that cultural experiences can nourish both the body and the soul.

To end the day, students relaxed and enjoyed time together at the beach, soaking in the fresh ocean air and the beauty of our island.

The weather has been relentless all week, but somehow, the sun chose today to shine. It was as if nature knew how special this day would be.

Mental wellness isn’t only about taking a break—it’s about reconnecting with who we are, where we come from, and the people around us. Today was filled with learning, laughter, gratitude, and cultural pride. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ending to our Culturally Inspired Mental Health Day.

Fa’afetai tele lava to Mr. Peter Talivaa and his family for your incredible hospitality and for sharing your knowledge, traditions, and generosity with our students.

11/07/2026

🎨Culturally Inspired Mental Health Day | CANOE Pre-Health Academy

Today, our CANOE students took a moment to slow down, reflect, and nurture their well-being during our Culturally Inspired Mental Health Day. The day began with a guided painting activity featuring traditional siapo motifs, allowing students to connect with Samoan culture while expressing their creativity.

Painting offers more than just a creative outlet—it has been shown to reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, improve focus, and provide a healthy way to process emotions. As each brushstroke brought a unique design to life, our students were reminded that taking time to care for their mental health is just as important as caring for their physical health.

By blending culture with wellness, we hope to inspire future healthcare professionals to recognize the importance of holistic health—for themselves, their patients, and their communities.

A heartfelt fa’afetai to Ms. Pua Tofaeono💙🌺

10/07/2026

A huge fa’afetai tele lava to Director Tafaimamao Tua/Tupuola and the Pacific Center in Human Security (PCHS) for their incredible support of our students!

As neighbors here on the ASCC campus, PCHS generously lent us their 15-seater passenger van to transport our students safely to and from LBJ Tropical Medical Center for their clinical shadowing experiences.

This kind of partnership makes a meaningful difference. Reliable transportation ensures our students can fully participate in these valuable learning opportunities, allowing them to explore healthcare careers firsthand, connect with professionals, and gain experiences that help shape their future.

We are truly grateful for PCHS’s willingness to support the next generation of healthcare professionals. Thank you for being an outstanding community partner and for investing in our students’ success!

08/07/2026

Healthcare exploration. A future of possibilities🩺✨

Last week, our C.A.N.O.E. Pre-Health Academy students had the incredible opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals at LBJ Tropical Medical Center, gaining firsthand exposure to the many career paths available in healthcare.

Students rotated through the following departments:
• Anesthesia
• Laboratory
• Dental
• ESRD (Dialysis)
• OB/GYN
• Ophthalmology (Eye Care)
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Radiology
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgery
• Wound Care

Each department offered a unique perspective on patient care, giving students the chance to ask questions, observe procedures, and learn directly from the dedicated professionals who serve our community every day.

A heartfelt fa’afetai tele lava to the entire LBJ Tropical Medical Center team for welcoming our students and sharing your expertise. Your mentorship is helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals in American Samoa. Special recognition to Ms. Leeandra Hala of LBJ HR for her tireless efforts in coordinating this experience.

Experiences like these are what the C.A.N.O.E. Pre-Health Academy is all about—connecting students with real-world learning opportunities that ignite passion, build confidence, and strengthen our local healthcare workforce.

💚The future of healthcare starts here.

30/06/2026

2026 C.A.N.O.E. Scholars Reach the Halfway Mark!🎉

The American Samoa Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is proud to celebrate an exciting milestone for our 2026 C.A.N.O.E. (Create and Navigate Opportunities in Education) Pre-Health Academy Scholars!

This week, our scholars received their personal medical supply kits to support their learning in the University of Hawaiʻi Health 123 course. Each kit includes a digital blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, and digital thermometer—essential tools that students will use as they develop foundational clinical skills.

Through Health 123, students are introduced to a wide range of healthcare careers while gaining hands-on experience in basic patient assessment, measuring and interpreting vital signs, infection prevention, medical terminology, professionalism, communication, and other essential healthcare competencies. These experiences help prepare students for future education and careers in the health professions.

Best of all, these medical supply kits are theirs to keep upon successful completion of the course, providing them with valuable tools they can continue to use as they pursue their healthcare journey.

Our scholars are now halfway through the program, and we couldn't be more proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to becoming the next generation of healthcare professionals serving American Samoa.

Congratulations to our 2026 C.A.N.O.E. Scholars—keep up the outstanding work! The future of healthcare in our community is bright because of you🌺🩺💙