UH Manoa
Rural Health
Faculty
The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) recently welcomed a powerful new voice in regional public health: Rica Ann Dela Cruz, PhD, joins JABSOM's Pacific Cancer Programs as an assistant professor.
As a native of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, this role is a continuation of a deeply personal commitment for Dela Cruz. She brings an extensive background in public health nutrition with a focus on obesity prevention in Pacific Islanders. That work with the Children’s Healthy Living Program was a "natural transition" into her current role, where she works under Dr. Neil Palafox.
She has been focused on "continuing more research with the program in relation to cancer within the US-affiliated Pacific and also prevention, understanding more about the risk factors, not just in cancer but also across other non-communicable diseases," Dela Cruz said.
She is particularly excited to implement impactful, on-the-ground interventions. The Pacific Cancer Programs team has been adapting cutting-edge cancer screening methods that work effectively in very rural or low-resource environments.
For Dela Cruz, the chance to serve the region she originally called home, is the most rewarding part of her role at JABSOM.
"I'm really looking forward to be more involved in the community efforts within the islands," she said.
Having already dedicated her dissertation research to the Northern Mariana Islands, Dela Cruz feels immensely grateful to continue this work with JABSOM.
"I feel really blessed that I was offered this position and I was able to join the Pacific Cancer Programs," Dela Cruz said.