Guam Memorial Hospital’s partnership with Keck Medicine will be a game-changer, officials say
- Admin
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam patients will have wider access to specialty care under Guam Memorial Hospital’s agreement with one of the top-ranked medical institutions in the U.S., officials said Monday.
The Guam hospital’s memorandum of understanding with Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California will facilitate the launch of a telemedicine platform that allows pre-consultations between local patients and Keck specialists before traveling off-island.
Besides the telemedicine collaboration, the partnership will also provide staff training exchanges and connect GMH physicians, nurses and patients directly with one of the nation's top-ranked medical institutions.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said Guam’s partnership with Keck Medicine will transform GMH operation and prepare the management for migration to a new hospital that she proposes to build in Mangilao.
“You’ll hear people ask, ‘Why are we going to build a new hospital and put in the same management?’” Leon Guerrero said. “Well, this is it. This is what GMH has gone through—to improve operations, expand administration and bring in the tools and resources needed to strengthen billing, collections, IT systems and electronic health records.”
The governor said the agreement, signed in April, will improve Guam’s health care management and delivery.
“Now, with a new hospital coming, and with improvements already happening within GMH’s operations, we’re aligning both pieces so that when we bring them together, we’ll have a stronger clinical and operational foundation to serve our people,” Leon Guerre said at a press conference.
Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said the initiatives are focused on mitigating the patients’ burden.
“When people are going through a life-threatening and stressful time, their families are forced to navigate a very complex system,” he said.
“Keck Medicine is not only bringing specialists to Guam, but they’re also welcoming our clinicians for training and continuing education in both medical and nursing fields. That means our doctors and nurses can learn from some of the best in the country, and more families can receive the care they need right here at home,” Tenorio added.
Dr. Joleen Aguon, the hospital’s interim CEO, said the collaboration isn’t just about technology or telemedicine’ it’s about people.
“When someone in our community faces a life-threatening illness, they deserve the same quality of care and the same hope as anyone else in the world,” Aguon said.
“We’re building pathways where our clinicians can train, specialize, and grow without always having to leave Guam. We’re also creating an environment where our patients can stay close to their families while receiving advanced care. That’s a game changer for our island,” she added.
Aguon said she completed her fellowship in internal medicine, pulmonary care and critical care at Keck Medicine, where she has now reconnected as a partner.
“Feels like we’ve come full circle. It reflects how far Guam’s healthcare system has advanced. For the first time, our local physicians and nurses are gaining direct access to the same caliber of expertise and innovation that defines one of the top hospitals in the United States,” Aguon said.
GMH and Keck Medicine are developing initiatives that will:
Provide advanced specialty training for GMH physicians and nurses through clinical rotations and updated certifications.
Establish an oncology pathway that would allow patients to receive chemotherapy and supportive cancer care on island through the federal 340B cost-sharing program.
Collaborate on hospital operations and accreditation, strengthening GMH’s administrative and clinical systems to meet national standards.
Dr. Ricardo Eusebio, chief medical officer for GMH’s Medical Services, said the collaboration creates stability for patients and clarity for physicians.
“When we give a patient a diagnosis that requires specialty care, one of the hardest parts is explaining what our limitations are,” Eusebio said.
“This partnership provides a clear, structured pathway for our patients. They’ll know exactly where they’re going, who their doctor is, and what the plan of care looks like even before they leave Guam. That stability removes so much anxiety, not only for the patient, but for the physicians who are referring them.”
He added, “It’s about closing the loop of care. When a patient leaves Guam for a procedure, receives care at Keck and then returns home, both the referring doctor and the receiving team are already aligned. There are no unknowns. The patient feels secure, the doctor has confidence, and the continuity of care is intact. This is something we’ve been working toward for many years—and finally, we’re here. This is a gold mine for us. A gold mine for our patients, a gold mine for our physicians, and a gold mine for Guam.”
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition
