She still walks the same hallways she once did as a physician, passing patients’ rooms, nurses’ stations and the quiet hum of machines that never sleep. What has changed is the scope of responsibility. Since Oct. 1, Aguon has been responsible not only for individual patients but for the direction of the island’ s public hospital as a whole.

“ Stepping into the role of interim CEO is something I approached with humility and a deep sense of responsibility,” Aguon said.“ My years of caring for patients at GMH, including during the most challenging days of the pandemic, shaped my belief that leadership is most meaningful when it is rooted in service.”

Aguon assumed leadership following the retirement of GMH Administrator and CEO Lillian Perez-Posadas, who had led the hospital since 2019. Perez-Posadas repeatedly told senators of the 37th Guam Legislature that many of the hospital’ s most persistent problems were inherited, including an aging facility and a roughly $ 30 million financial shortfall layered on top of chronic budget challenges.

For Aguon, the transition marked a return to administration after stepping

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down from a leadership post in July 2023. Her history with GMH stretches back to 2019, when she was hired as associate administrator of clinical services and medical services. She later served as the Covid-19 medical director, which placed her at the center of the hospital’ s pandemic response.

“ The experiences I have had at the bedside, witnessing both the vulnerability and the strength of the people of Guam, continue to guide every decision I make today,” Aguon said.

In the months since taking over, Aguon has emphasized listening and presence as she navigates the hospital’ s immediate pressures. Staffing shortages, aging infrastructure and the need for ongoing facility and equipment upgrades remain daily realities. So does the challenge of rebuilding trust in a hospital that has faced years of public scrutiny.

“ GMH has always been more than a building,” Aguon said.“ It is where families welcome new life, where healing begins and where our community turns in moments of uncertainty. I know that our hospital carries both cherished memories and difficult ones, and rebuilding trust requires honesty, compassion and steady progress.”

That progress, she said, is as much about people as it is about projects. Aguon frequently points to the everyday work happening across the hospital as a reminder of what she calls GMH’ s core

strength.

“ Walking through the hospital reminds me constantly why this work matters,” she said.“ I see nurses comforting a worried family member, respiratory therapists checking on a patient, housekeeping staff keeping environments safe and physicians managing complex care while still offering a reassuring smile.”

The pandemic remains a reference point for many of Aguon’ s decisions and leadership approach. She noted the importance of communication, collaboration and recognizing that no one carries the work alone.“ We learned the value of staying adaptable, supporting each other and moving forward even when the path was unclear,” she said.

Aguon has outlined a set of urgent priorities that reflect those lessons. Strengthening the workforce, improving communication across departments and continuing facility and equipment upgrades are among the most immediate goals.

Alongside those efforts, she has placed equal emphasis on what she describes as cultural renewal within the hospital, which she said is just as important as operational progress.“ We are rebuilding a sense of hope, restoring pride and ensuring that every employee feels valued and heard,” she added.

Those conversations often intersect with broader debates about funding, staffing levels and infrastructure investments

, which Aguon said will always be complex.“ My approach is to balance responsible decision-making with deep respect for the people doing the work because they are the foundation of this hospital,” she said.

Looking ahead, Aguon will mark accomplishments beyond spreadsheets.“ Success for GMH is not measured only in numbers or reports but in the lived experience of our patients and staff,” she said.“ Three years from now, I hope our community feels a renewed confidence in their public hospital, our employees feel the impact of improved support and resources and our patients experience care that feels both safe and compassionate.”

Outside of her professional role, Aguon said her identity as a mother, daughter and member of the island community keeps her grounded as she navigates the demands of leading Guam’ s only public hospital.“ My family, my faith and the resilience of the people around me keep me grounded,” she said.“ This hospital never sleeps, but I find strength in remembering why we do this work and who we do it for.”

As GMH moves through another period of transition, Aguon said she remains mindful that the hospital’ s story is ongoing.“ I am honored to walk alongside our dedicated staff as we move forward with transparency, humility and a shared commitment to serving our island,” she said.