HPU SNA students Karveliss Borras, Raphael Tan, Abegail Bueno, Isis Moon, Jow Dwyer, Timothy Landsdale, Elaine Grace Menor, Kylee Therese Torres and Alyssa Rosal, Lorraine Bletram (Chair), Ashlyn Balany (Co-Chair).
The Hawai‘i Pacific University Student Nurses Association (SNA) volunteered at Teen Health Camp Oʻahu on Feb. 7, 2026, at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The event brought together healthcare professionals, educators, and community partners to support local teens through health education, wellness activities, and exposure to future careers in healthcare.
HPU nursing students demonstrated leadership and service by assisting with health education stations, mentoring participants, and promoting healthy lifestyle practices. Their involvement reflected the School of Nursing’s commitment to community engagement, prevention-focused care and empowering the next generation of health advocates.
Joy Bliss, Ph.D., RN, SNA advisor and chair of the BSN program, supported and guided student involvement in the event, reinforcing the importance of service-learning and professional engagement early in students’ nursing careers.
HPU SNA students engaging with teen health camp participants.
Throughout the day, SNA volunteers helped facilitate interactive learning experiences related to physical health, mental wellness, nutrition, and career exploration in nursing and medicine. Students engaged teens in meaningful conversations about self-care, resilience, and pathways into healthcare professions, fostering confidence and curiosity about future opportunities.
Participation in Teen Health Camp Oʻahu aligns with HPU’s mission of service, kuleana (responsibility), and aloha by extending nursing knowledge beyond the classroom and into the community. The event also provided valuable experiential learning for HPU nursing students as they strengthened communication, teaching, and advocacy skills in a real-world setting.
HPU SNA extends sincere appreciation to the organizers, community partners, and the University of Hawaiʻi medical school for hosting this impactful initiative. The experience underscores the important role nursing students play in community health promotion and in inspiring youth to pursue meaningful careers dedicated to improving the well-being of others.
The HPU School of Nursing remains committed to supporting service-learning opportunities that advance health equity, strengthen community partnerships, and prepare future nurses to lead with compassion and cultural humility.
