Nurse Resident SoYong Guerrero Visits Maui

Staff in all areas of health care train at VA locations across the country, and VAPIHCS has training programs for many different medical specialties. Nurse Resident SoYong Guerrero recently did a rotation at the Maui Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) as part of her training with VA.

“My husband served in the Army, and I respected his service,” said Guerrero. “Working for VA and serving Veterans is my way of giving back. I enjoy helping Veterans, and I think I relate to them on a different level.” 

In August of 2023, fires broke out in Maui. The town of Lahaina was burned, leaving 271 structures damaged and more than 100 people dead. The CBOC staff and Veterans grieved together for the city -once the capital of Hawaii and still an important place to Hawaiians. The closeness of the community made it a welcoming place for Guerrero to do a Specialty Care rotation. 

“I was able to truly immerse myself in the culture of Maui and witness the lasting impact of the Lahaina fire on the Veteran community,” Guerrero said. “Hearing first-hand stories of loss, resilience, and history made me realize that nursing isn’t just about delivering care -it’s about understanding the lives, histories, and experiences of the Veterans we serve.” 

By shadowing nurses at the Maui CBOC, Guerrero was able to gain valuable skills related to the delivery of community-centered, culturally aware care. She saw different approaches to nursing that made her feel more adaptable and compassionate. She felt that Maui taught her lessons that can’t be learned in textbooks but are instead felt with the heart. 

“The Patient Aligned Care Team -or PACT- really made me feel included,” Guerrero said. “I admired how they connected with the Veterans and knew all their names and everything about them.” 

The Maui CBOC is a hub of services for Veterans on Lanai, Molokai, and Maui. The Veterans who travel from neighbor islands to get care can be held up by canceled ferries, delayed planes, and other challenges. This means the Maui staff must be flexible and reschedule appointments when needed. Treating patients from three islands can get complicated, but the staff always finds a way to deliver the best care available to every Veteran. 

“We moved around so much when my husband was active duty,” Guerrero said. “Every place has its charms and downsides. With Maui -I was excited to have my family come visit me there. I wanted them to share the deep sense of community and the beauty of the island. It really is an amazing place.” 

Nurse residents do rotations on other islands to understand the variety of different cultures, geographical challenges, and VA systems that make each location different and special. Each resident is carefully mentored by preceptors, ensuring that context is given to their experiences and that they are maximizing the potential for learning opportunities. Guerrero is one of many residents studying at VAPIHCS now. VA is the largest educator of medical staff in the country -and nationally- VA educates approximately 20,000 nursing students per year. VAPIHCS is proud to be part of that number, and to contribute to the education of the next generation of nurses.