Amber Mendiola-Romolor

Northern Mariana Islands, At Large Director

Amber Mendiola-Romolor is the Administrator of the Non-Communicable Disease Programs at the Division of Public Health Services, under the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC). Amber is from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which is a U.S. Territory in Micronesia. The CNMI is one of the six U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI’s) and is in Micronesia. But, as Amber says, “there is nothing micro about us.”

Amber shoulders the responsibility of overseeing chronic disease programs and prevention services at the CHCC, which is the CNMI’s State Health Department. She has been a driving force behind the “Let’s Move Marianas!” initiative in the CNMI, aligning with former First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to combat childhood obesity. The initiative received a well-deserved Gold Medal in 2014 for its remarkable efforts to enhance family health. Amber has also played a pivotal role in developing the CNMI NCD and Related Risk Factor Hybrid Survey, an adult population-based survey aimed at improving data availability and gathering to better understand and track adult NCD data. Her influence extends to serving as the CNMI representative on the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands and as the Chairperson of the Pacific Chronic Disease Council within NACDD, dedicated to enhancing chronic disease prevention and control in the USAPI.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Amber remains an unwavering advocate for health. Born with a congenital heart condition and considered terminal, she draws from her personal experiences to fuel her passion for improving health outcomes. Additionally, as a survivor of sexual assault, she works with community organizations in the CNMI to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence, empowering young girls to speak out against these injustices. Amber’s personal and professional goal is to help others overcome obstacles hindering better health outcomes. Her compassionate and determined leadership is dedicated to uplifting the voices of Pacific Islanders and ensuring they achieve optimal health. Amber’s ultimate aspiration is to “leave the world better than I found it.”

Publications:

• Weaving and layering funding: A Territorial Health Agency’s Guide to Effective Health Financing – Cruz, C., Wheatley, A., Ensign, C., Fraser, M., Mendiola, A. et all (2023) “Weaving and layering funding: A Territorial Health Agency’s Guide to Effective Health Financing,” Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Publish Ahead of Print. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000001709.
• Hybrid Survey’ approach to non-communicable disease surveillance in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands, 2021