UH Hilo alumna Josie Howard receives national award for championing health equity in Hawaiʻi
Josie Howard is co-founder and CEO of We are Oceania, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Micronesian and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaiʻi.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo anthropology alumna Jocelyn “Josie” Howard has received the Health Equity Champion Partner Advocate Award on behalf of We Are Oceania at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum‘s Annual Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The national health forum works to influences policy, mobilize communities, and strengthen programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and all Pacific Islanders.
Howard is co-founder and CEO of We are Oceania, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Micronesian and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaiʻi, which was honored for its impactful work in connecting communities to accessible health insurance and vital services.
Howard worked to establish the organization to meet the Micronesian community’s need for a dedicated resource center in Hawaiʻi. During the pandemic, We Are Oceania became a crucial support hub, serving not only Micronesian families but others in the community.
“It is truly an honor to receive We Are Oceania’s Award for the work we do in helping not just Micronesians, but everyone in Hawaiʻi access health insurance,” says Howard. “Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our Micronesian communities; the Chuukese, Kosraeans, Marshallese, Pohnpeians, Palauans and Yapese; for your trust and willingness to allow us to serve you. This is truly a privilege. This award is for you.”
Howard, from the small island of Onoun in Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia, now calls Hawaiʻi home. She holds multiple degrees from the UH System, including her masters of social work from the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health and a certificate in Pacific Island studies from UH Mānoa, and a bachelor of arts in anthropology from UH Hilo.
Read full story at UH System News.
