Three women from Molokaʻi are demonstrating that healthcare careers can begin right at home. Benevee Morris, Cherie Gonzalez, and Olivia Pescaia completed the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program through the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Molokaʻi Education Center, with support from the federally funded Good Jobs grant. They now serve as health technicians in public schools across the island as part of the Hawaiʻi Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program. This initiative is a collaboration between UH Mānoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH), the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, and the Public Charter School Commission.
Deborah Mattheus, SONDH’s endowed professor of school health, explained that it had been challenging to hire a nurse for the Molokaʻi position until the three women stepped in. “These three health technicians have filled that gap and have been a wonderful addition to our team,” Mattheus said. “I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Morris, who previously supported her father through serious illness, developed an interest in healthcare after meeting traveling nurses. She began her career with the Nā Puʻuwai Kupuna Program and Tūtū & Me before taking on the role of health tech at Maunaloa Elementary School. “It’s exciting to support programs like Hawaiʻi Keiki’s dental sealant program, especially since our island faces dental coverage challenges and a shortage of dentists,” Morris said. She plans to introduce CPR education and vision screenings to her school in the upcoming year. “I’m dedicated to advocating for Molokaʻi’s keiki and will support anyone interested in pursuing healthcare careers,” she added.
Pescaia, a graduate of Molokaʻi High and Intermediate School, was inspired by her experience caring for her ill parents. She initially struggled with the CNA program but rejoined and graduated in June 2023. Now a health tech at Molokaʻi Middle School, she finds great meaning in her work. “Helping keiki gives me a sense of accomplishment and purpose,” Pescaia said. “Even small acts of assistance make a big difference to my community.”
Gonzalez, who works at Kilohana Elementary School, joined the CNA program while balancing family life with a toddler. She had previously worked as a dental assistant and medical assistant, gaining valuable experience in the healthcare field. “It’s fulfilling to work with families I know personally and to make a difference in students’ lives,” Gonzalez said. She encourages others to explore nursing careers, noting, “There’s so much more you can do in nursing, and I highly recommend the program.”
Through their work, these three women are not only improving the health and well-being of students on Molokaʻi but also helping to address local healthcare gaps, proving that healthcare careers can start—and thrive—right at home.
