Health Center heroes

BYU–Hawaii healthcare workers say they were ready for COVID-19 because they follow gospel preparedness principles

Love for the people they serve is what BYU–Hawaii Health Center employees said keeps them motivated through the chaos of COVID-19. Despite impacts to their service, such as shortened hours and reduced staff, they said they were prepared because they followed the Lord’s counsel.

Laurie Abregano, director of Health Services, said, “I love interacting with our students. I love to see the little babies as they come in. I love assisting those who need help in pursuing their academic dreams. I love working with my colleagues and co-workers. I can’t say it enough, what an awesome team we have in the Health Center as well as the Student Medical Benefit Office. I am happiest when I can help others.”

According to the Health Center’s website, the Health Center’s primary responsibilities are to “provide medical care to all students, their dependents and DMBA Managed Care participants who have identified the university doctor as their primary care provider.”

The Health Center website states it is “equipped with experienced staff members,

BY ADAM LIVINGSTON

Graphics by Bruno Maynez

who are board-certified physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, medical assistants and full front office staff. A majority of health problems can be dealt with at the Health Center, but a network of specialists can also be reached out to.”

Abregano said her primary responsibilities are to manage and oversee the Health Center’s daily operations and the Student Medical Benefits. She also handles business and strategic planning while managing budgets to ensure “goals, visions, patient needs and budgetary constraints are aligned.”

Abregano is also responsible for an “awesome group of dedicated, hardworking medical professionals who do what they do because they genuinely care about helping others stay healthy and able to pursue their academic goals.”

In 2020, one of the more significant campus emergencies was the emergence of COVID-19, which the Health Center was prepared for by previous year’s surpluses, like a buildup of N-95 masks, said Lena Tyau, the head nurse at the Health Center. She explained,

“The Lord has always admonished us to be prepared, spiritually and temporally, so when the need arises, hopefully, we have what we need.”

Some of the changes that have taken place in the Health Center due to the pandemic, according to Tyau, include phone assessments, cutting of staff to protect employees and shorter hours.

She described the beginning of the pandemic as “hectic” and said, “All hands were on deck and in the clinic for the entire day. Days were extremely busy, not because of patients being sicker, but because people were scared. We spent a lot of time educating and reassuring.”

Lena Tyau said she loves her job and meeting students of all different cultures. Photo by Ho Yin Li

Tyau said she loves her job and meeting students of all different cultures. “It keeps me young. I’ve always enjoyed nursing because I get to be involved with helping patients improve their lives however I can. Sometimes it’s providing education, so they are less fearful of the unknown medical landscape. Sometimes it’s arranging medical care so their needs are met. Other times it’s making things personal, so our patients know we care about them.”

Besides helping the student body, she also has a love for her staff. “I work with a wonderful group of people who I consider to be my family. We work well together, and we have fun.”

Mateo Smith, a freshman from Virginia majoring in history, said, “When I got my flu shot, it was great. I was in and out of there in 15 minutes, and the staff and I had a great conversation, specifically the head nurse, Sister Tyau. Everyone was super friendly and made me feel welcome, in what otherwise would have been a stressful situation.”

The Health Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.