Guam’s Nursing programs and the island’s war survivors are the latest recipients of Guam Economic Development Authority grant awards.

Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio, along with GEDA Administrator and CEO Melanie Mendiola, presented checks totaling $105,000 each to the University of Guam and the Guam Community College’s Nursing programs.

The UOG and GCC awards were funded by the Guam Regional Medical City Qualifying Certificate administered by GEDA and approved by the GEDA Board of Directors.

This award was recently renamed the Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima Memorial Grant.

Tenorio said, “Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima was a nurse, an educator, and the greatest champion for growing Guam’s healthcare workforce. It’s more than appropriate that this new GEDA grant be named in her honor, as she committed her lifetime to uplifting and supporting Guam’s healthcare profession.”

He added, “Through these funds, GCC will upgrade its simulator classrooms, which provide our nursing students the best opportunity to practice and succeed in real-world clinical scenarios. Grant funding provided to UOG will also support the purchase of training materials to maintain its incredible 100% pass rate for the NCLEX. These awards will surely pay tribute to its namesake, and we are grateful for the local nursing faculty and their initiatives to build capacity at their schools and working together towards establishing a Master of Nursing program at UOG.”

The Manenggon Memorial Foundation was presented with a check for $25,000, funded through GEDA’s Community Contributions Grant program.

“Today, we are proud to award $25,000 to the Manenggon Memorial Foundation, especially as Guam’s 80th Liberation anniversary approaches. This funding will aid the foundation in honoring the solemn memorials and ensuring a fitting tribute to the brave individuals who endured the unimaginable pain of World War II. Our island expresses gratitude to these survivors for their courage, and we thank the Manenggon Memorial Foundation for their commitment to preserving their legacy,” said Tenorio.

The GEDA Board of Directors approved all three awards over the past 12 months.