Jejomar Balanay.
Jejomar Balanay (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) will represent the undergraduate students of the Fall Class of 2025 at the Thursday, December 11, afternoon graduation ceremony. Balanay of Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i, chose HPU after seeing the transformation his brother experienced as a student. Inspired by his mother’s compassion as a healthcare provider, he committed to a nursing career focused on delivering quality, patient-centered care.
His clinical training spans post-anesthesia care at Pali Momi Medical Center, neurological care at Straub Benioff Medical Center, labor and delivery at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, behavioral health at Hawai‘i State Hospital, and long-term care at Ka Punawai Ola.
Beyond academics, Balanay joined a medical mission to Moloka‘i, where he delivered care, gathering vitals, serving as a scribe, and mentoring junior student nurses. During a cultural exchange with Tokyo Women’s Medical University, he visited hospitals and care units, observing Japan’s community-based care. He also helped present “The Effects of Digital Media on Brain Development in Childrenʻs Executive Function,” an evidence-based study examining the scope of the issue and offering recommendations to help adolescents maintain executive functioning, which refers to the essential skills used daily to plan, solve problems, and manage emotions.
Active in campus life, Balanay served as secretary and Level 3 representative of the Student Nurses Association and is a member of Alpha Chi, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Sigma Theta Tau honor societies. He has volunteered as a medic at major community events, including the Honolulu Marathon.
Looking ahead, Balanay aspires to work in an intensive care unit, critical care unit, or perioperative area, combining clinical expertise with a passion for guiding patients through recovery.
