By Vanessa L. Miller ’96

The westernmost point of the United States lies about 3,800 miles west of Hawaii. It is Guam—an unincorporated territory of the United States and the largest island in Micronesia. Although it appears as just a small dot in the Western Pacific, Guam has an ancient culture. The Chamorro people first settled the island more than 3,500 years ago. Contact with Europeans began in 1521, when a Spanish expedition stopped at the island during their circumnavigation of the globe. For the next two centuries, Guam remained under Spanish control until it was ceded to the United States in 1899. It played a pivotal role during World War II, and in 1950, was formally established as a U.S. territory. Today, Guam remains one of five American jurisdictions in the Pacific Ocean, home to both Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base. It is also home to the Guam Seventh-day Adventist Clinic—a multi-specialty medical facility in Tamuning that has become an essential healthcare resource for the island’s residents.

The roots of the Seventh-day Adventist mission in Guam trace back to World War II, when two American servicemen, Henry Metzker and Bob Beckett, began sharing their faith with those around them. God blessed their efforts, and the mission expanded to include a network of churches and a school. In 1956, Raymond H. Barker ’43 and Leslie A. Smart ’54 established the medical clinic. As patient needs grew, they expanded services, broke ground for a new facility in 1966, and gradually added specialties such as optometry, physical therapy, women’s health, and wellness programs. Today, the clinic is a community-centered facility that serves the needs of the local population.

While Guam’s beauty is undeniable, its remoteness brings significant challenges. Access to specialized medical care is limited, and the need for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is urgent. I first learned of this need in 2012 when I met Pastor Torres, then-president of the Guam Micronesia Mission. He shared about the island’s shortage of doctors and showed me photos that reminded me of my childhood home in the Bahamas. Six months later, I visited Guam for the first time, and that Sabbath morning, as I stood overlooking Tumon Bay beneath a brilliant double rainbow, I sensed God’s assurance that this was where He was calling me. I committed to a two-year contract.

I returned to work at Guam in 2025, drawn back to the place where I have felt most fulfilled in my career. The beauty of the island is unchanged. Also unchanged is the profound need, and the need is especially acute in women’s health. Geographic isolation creates particular challenges for mothers with high-risk pregnancies or patients with cancer, who must travel long distances for specialized treatment. As the only permanent OB-GYN physician at the Clinic, I see at least one patient each week who requires complex gynecologic care. Nearly every week, someone approaches me seeking prenatal care for a sister, daughter, or niece. It is heartbreaking not to be able to care for each woman or expectant mother. Though we are blessed with relief providers, the need far exceeds our current capacity.

Many faithful medical missionaries have served here, shaping the landscape of women’s health on the island. Among the most beloved was Janet Nightingale, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) from South Africa, who in 1998 came to Guam from Michigan, where she served after earning her master’s degree. She initially intended to serve for two years, but she ended up staying for twenty-five, becoming a trusted member of the community until her passing in July 2023 at the age of 65. While obstetricians came and went, Janet remained. Midwifery was her passion and life’s calling, which was evident in her work. Throughout her career, Janet was recognized for her exceptional commitment to her patients. Former patients often saw her on the street and expressed gratitude for her medical care, emotional support, and spiritual comfort. Faye Whiting Jensen ’90 recalls how patients trusted Janet’s judgment and often sought her opinion before accepting recommendations from other providers. Her death was a significant loss for Guam and its medical community and a reminder of how essential committed clinicians are.

Loma Linda University Health has played a vital role in sustaining this mission through short- and long-term service. Many alumni from Loma Linda University School of Medicine have served at the SDA Guam Clinic. Those who have served in the women’s health department speicifically include Thomas E. Gibson ’62, J. Randal sloop ’86 and Christine H. Sloop ’87, William P. Vercio ’81, Sung Joo Park ’95, Isaias C. Coelho ’02, Faye J. Whiting Jensen ’90, and Deborah A. Swena ’15, among others. Currently, relief providers include Esther M. Park-Hwang ’93 and Jeffrey S. Hardesty ’80-B.

God continues to call physicians, midwives, and other health professionals to serve in places where the need is greatest. Here in Guam, that calling is felt every day. Nearly every new patient tells me, “Thank you so much for coming to Guam”. Their gratitude is palpable when I pray with them before surgery or afterwards when they come through without complications. We give God praise for His faithfulness and healing power.

Last week, one woman clasped my arm and looked me in the eye as she shared how grateful she was to finally have the strength to walk and exercise again after months of debilitating bleeding that required multiple transfusions at two different hospitals.

Guam’s story is one of resilience, service, and hope. It is also a story still being written—by those who answer the call to serve. With the ongoing support and commitment of our medical missionaries, we can continue to shape the future of healthcare on this island. This is a place where medical expertise can change lives and where the rewards are priceless.

Will you answer the call to serve?