Committee hears confirmation testimony for three health‑sector nominees; no votes taken

The Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs held confirmation hearings May 6 for three nominees to health‑sector boards.

Mae Camacho, nominated to the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners as the speech‑language pathology representative, joined by Zoom and described more than 30 years’ experience in school and clinical settings, regional consulting work and graduate supervision. Supporters, including Sarah Thomas Nedadook, said Camacho is a dedicated clinician and community professional. Camacho told senators there are not enough speech‑language therapists in the Department of Education and said she would work to address service gaps in early intervention and schools.

Ramona Doman, nominated as the Guam Nurses Association representative to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, told the committee she is a retired Navy nurse and described efforts to improve recruitment and retention; she said administrative improvements, updated billing and revenue‑cycle management would help the hospital’s finances. Senators pressed about time commitment and potential conflicts; Doman said she expects to commit the hours needed and has no conflicts to disclose.

Dr. Erica Masuda Alford, nominated to the Guam Board of Medical Examiners, answered questions about aligning licensing standards to national best practices and handling internationally trained physicians. Alford, an endocrinologist, said she is detail‑oriented and would review applications carefully; she supported opening certain supervised training pathways to private facilities provided supervising physicians have the same specialty and appropriate safeguards. Senators asked whether she could objectively review complaints against island physicians and about clearing board backlogs; Alford said she would work to expedite unresolved matters.

Committee members praised the nominees and said they would work to move the appointments to the session floor for confirmation. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned at 3:55 p.m.