Guam Governor-Elect Lou Leon Guerrero has announced appointees to head the Guam Memorial Hospital, the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities. Upon assuming office, Leon Guerrero will formally transmit their nominations for confirmation to the Guam Legislature as well as submit recommendations to the respective Boards of the autonomous agencies. Nominees will serve in acting capacities pending legislative confirmation.
“Access to quality and affordable healthcare remains a longstanding concern for our community and these consequences are felt by our people when seeking services at our public hospital, community clinics, health centers and agency for people with disabilities,” said Leon Guerrero.
Lillian Posadas, Administrator, Guam Memorial Hospital; Therese Arriola, Director Behavioral Health and Wellness Center; Linda Unpingco-DeNorcey, DPHSS
“Lillian Posadas, Linda Unpingco-DeNorcey, Lori Duenas, Therese Arriola, Carissa Pangelinan and Gerri Mandell will be charged with transforming healthcare and improving access to critical health and behavioral services in our administration and I am confident in each of their abilities.”
“I join Governor-Elect Leon Guerrero in welcoming these individuals to our administration as we bring a robust approach to making healthcare better for our people, most especially our vulnerable patients needing the care they rightfully deserve,” said Lieutenant Governor-Elect Joshua Tenorio. “We recognize the great challenges in addressing healthcare in Guam, but I share the confidence we have in these experienced and well qualified individuals willing to serve in these leadership capacities.”
The appointees and agencies:
Lillian Posadas, R.N. as Hospital Administrator of Guam Memorial Hospital Authority. Ms. Perez-Posadas is a Registered Nurse currently employed with United Airlines as its manager for their Workers’ Compensation and Medical Programs. Ms. Posadas served as a member of Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) Board of Trustees from July 2016 to December 2018. Prior to working at United Airlines, she held positions at GMHA as Hospital Nursing Services Administrator (2001-2006) and Associate Administrator of Clinical Services (1997-2001). Her extensive 30+ years professional nursing experience began as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at GMHA.
Linda Unpingco-DeNorcey, Director of Department of Public Health and Social Services. Mrs. Unpingco-DeNorcey is currently the Chief Executive Officer for the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Community Health Center program. She has been with the department for 28 years and has also held the Health Services Administrator position for the Northern and Southern Region Community Health Centers.
Laurent “Lori” Duenas, R.N., Deputy Director of Department of Public Health and Social Services Ms. Duenas, MPH, BSN, RN retired as the Administrator of the Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services with 28 years of service at the Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS). She worked as a Health Specialist for the Guam Legislature.
Therese Arriola, Director of Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Mrs. Arriola is the Executive Director of Sanctuary Inc., Guam’s longest standing community-based accredited organization. Prior to that, she was Administrator for Pa’a Taotao Tano’ and is also a leader and advocate for victims rights. She is a gubernatorial appointee to the Governor’s Prevention Education and Community Empowerment (PEACE) Council.
Carissa Pangelinan, Deputy Director of Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. Ms. Pangelinan is currently the Project Director for the Healthy Transitions Initiative at the Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. In 2012, she helped author Guam’s Strategic Plan for System of Care Expansion which set the framework to create a unified system for children’s mental health on Guam. Ms. Pangelinan has written and managed federal grants totaling $10 million dollars under the U.S. Health & Human Services agencies including the Administration for Native Americans and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.
Geraldlyn “Gerri” Mandell, Director of the Department of Integrated Services forIndividuals with Disabilities. Ms. Mandell is currently a Consulting Resource Teacher with the Guam Department of Education. Her career began in 1978 as a Teacher for Multi-handicapped Deaf students at Chief Brodie Memorial School and later as a teacher for the Deaf at Voc-Tech High. Ms. Mandell served the Executive Director of Guma Mami, Inc. in 1986 before returning to GDOE in 1990 where she has worked as a Special Education Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and Assistant Principal. She is a lifelong advocate and educator of people with disabilities.