Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Meetu Kelen

Kailua Kona

Summary

Compassionate Community Health Educator and culturally competent Marshallese-English interpreter with over eight years of experience serving diverse communities through interpretation, advocacy, community outreach, and health education. Skilled in facilitating effective communication, fostering cultural understanding, and improving access to healthcare, education, and community resources while maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Overview

2027
2027
years of professional experience

Work History

Community Health Educator

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - School Based Department
Kailua-Kona, HI
03.2025 - Current
  • Facilitated interactive classroom presentations for grades 5–7, promoting mental health literacy and educating students on the risks of vaping.
  • Coordinated outreach efforts to increase awareness of our school based health center services on campus and the mobile health unit.
  • Provided on-demand Marshallese interpretation and cultural liaison services for patients, families, and staff to improve access to care and services.
  • Provided one-on-one support to students regarding health-related inquiries.

Community Health Worker/Educator

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - Outreach Department
Kailua-Kona, HI
2018 - 03.2025
  • Served as a trusted liaison between the community and healthcare providers, helping individuals access services, resources, and health education.
  • Facilitated the UAMS Curriculum - Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) to all different Marshallese Churches on the Big Island, Hawaii from 2022 to 2024.
  • Advocated for Marshallese community members by providing interpretation and support during school meetings, housing applications, healthcare appointments, and other essential services.

Subcontractor as Marshallese Interpreter

Catholic Charity of Hawaii
Kailua-Kona, HI
2024 - 2025

Served as a cultural bridge between Marshallese families and Child Protective Services, helping address language and cultural misunderstandings and supporting effective communication.

Subcontractor as Marshallese Interpreter

Language Services Hawaii LLC
Honolulu, HI
2019 - 2025

Provided subcontracted Marshallese-English interpretation services for medical, community, and social service encounters on an as-needed basis

Dental PSR and Dental Assistant

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - Dental
Kailua-Kona, HI
02.2017 - 2018
  • Assisted in patient intake and dental record management to ensure efficient workflow.
  • Provided chairside support during procedures, enhancing patient comfort and reducing anxiety.
  • Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and post-treatment care for improved health outcomes.
  • Provided Marshallese-English interpretation services to facilitate effective communication between clients, families, and service providers.

General Dental Practitioner

Leroij Atama Medical Center - Dental Department
Majuro, Marshall Island
12.2003 - 12.2016
  • Conducted comprehensive dental examinations and diagnosed oral conditions.
  • Developed personalized treatment plans based on patient assessments.
  • Performed restorative procedures, including fillings, and extractions
  • Educated patients on oral hygiene practices to enhance preventive care.

Education

Interpreting in Palliative Care -

Kokua Mau Workshop - Medical Interpreting
Honolulu Hawaii
01-2026

Community Health Worker Certificate -

University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816
08-2021

Community Interpreting Certificate -

University of Hawaii, Manoa
1890 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
05-2019

Bachelor of Dental Surgery -

Fiji School of Medicine (aka Fiji National University)
Suva, Fiji
11-2002

Skills

  • Marshallese-English Interpretation
  • Cultural Competency
  • Medical Interpretation
  • Community Outreach
  • Patience Advocacy
  • HIPPA Compliance
  • Communication Skills

Accomplishments

    Assisted in establishing the first Marshallese Women's Leadership Group, Wodde Jippel, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in 2019 to promote leadership development, community engagement, and empowerment among Marshallese women.

Languages

Kiribati
Native or Bilingual
Marshallese
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Community Health Educator

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - School Based Department
03.2025 - Current

Dental PSR and Dental Assistant

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - Dental
02.2017 - 2018

General Dental Practitioner

Leroij Atama Medical Center - Dental Department
12.2003 - 12.2016

Community Health Worker/Educator

Hawaii Island Community Health Center - Outreach Department
2018 - 03.2025

Subcontractor as Marshallese Interpreter

Catholic Charity of Hawaii
2024 - 2025

Subcontractor as Marshallese Interpreter

Language Services Hawaii LLC
2019 - 2025

Interpreting in Palliative Care -

Kokua Mau Workshop - Medical Interpreting

Community Health Worker Certificate -

University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College

Community Interpreting Certificate -

University of Hawaii, Manoa

Bachelor of Dental Surgery -

Fiji School of Medicine (aka Fiji National University)