Dr. Ipo Tuinei-Hemaloto of American Samoa has successfully completed her residency program from the Hawaii Islands Family Residency Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
Dr. Tuinei-Hemaloto attended the Oceania University of Medicine (OUM) through a scholarship program offered to American Samoans by philanthropist and founder of the OUM, Ms Taffy Gould. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she completed her program with OUM in March of 2021 and earned her medical degree.
On June 21, she was among six physicians who successfully completed the residency program in Hilo, Hawaii where she served as Co-Chief Resident.
During the celebration, she recognized former Chief Pharmacist at the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Evelyn Ah Hing-Faaiuaso, for encouraging her to become a medical doctor.
She acknowledged her late parents, Tauivi and Diana Tuinei, and mother, Sylvia Meyers of Hilo. She also thanks her husband, Sefo Hemaloto, children, family, and friends for their support. Dr. Tuinei-Hemaloto plans to return to American Samoa to serve.
