Alumnus Named Straub Clinic’s Most Valuable Team Player

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

in her neighborhood. It gave her the real-life knowledge she needed to take her next step: returning to school to pursue research into the effectiveness of Montessori education. She applied to a master’s degree program at Harvard, seeking references from Chaminade professors, and was accepted. She recently graduated with her Master of Education in Human Development and Psychology degree.

After completing that program, focusing on Montessori educational practices along the way, Yerington landed a coveted research position under a Harvard professor at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Nelson Laboratory, where she is currently studying cognitive function in children from infancy to age three. The goal: to develop an assessment at the earliest years of development, when interventions are most effective.

Yerington is also planning to pursue doctoral studies to further delve into research of Montessori programs, especially now that more are offered in public schools. “Now that we have more of these programs, I want there to be more evidence about how effective or ineffective they are,” she said.

Yerington credits Chaminade's MAT program for providing exceptional support. “I tell everyone how much I loved Chaminade,” Yerington said. “I’ve been to three universities, one of which is probably the most wellknown in the world. But I was absolutely best supported at Chaminade.”

She added, “That level of support, it came from everyone. It’s a high quality education.”

That’s music to Park’s ears.

“I feel like a proud mom,” she joked. “Emily is so incredible, and I am so happy we were able to contribute to her success, even just a little bit. I cannot wait to see what she does next in her research.”

ALUMNUS NAMED STRAUB CLINIC’S MOST VALUABLE TEAM PLAYER

MICHAEL ONO ‘14 MADE FRIENDS AT CHAMINADE THAT HE

“STILL CONSIDERS FAMILY” TODAY.

It’s those relationships and others that have helped buoy him as he works on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as a registered nurse at Straub Medical Center’s Kahala Clinic and Urgent Care. “Working as an RN during the pandemic has been challenging,” said Ono, who received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chaminade. “But I am so happy to have a great team and leadership support.”

And they are grateful for him, too.

In fact, Ono was recently recognized as the Straub Clinic Most Valuable Team Player. As part of centennial celebrations for Straub, he was also named a “100 for Straub 100” honoree—one of 100 employees who are continuing Dr. George Straub’s legacy of providing quality care to patients.

Ono was nominated for the Most Valuable Team Player recognition by Straub clinic colleague Sheryl Doropan, who called him a huge blessing. “Coming from an ER background, he knows how to handle the difficult situations that walk in,” she said, in a Straub Facebook post. “He’s a solution seeker and a team player, caring and always energetic. There’s never a dull moment working with him.”

Ono said as a Straub nurse, he sees patients of all ages.

He previously worked in the emergency room and the post-anesthesia care unit at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children. He said he is so grateful to his mentors at Chaminade and Kap'iolani for helping him grow into the registered nurse he is today. “The ability to see their dedication to their patients and the community has helped me set the bar high for myself and keeps me engaged,” he said.

Ono added, “I am still learning so much about outpatient nursing.”