For the second time, a faculty member from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) has been recognized as an Immunization Champion. Professor Sandra Chang has been honored as Hawaiʻi’s 2024 Immunization Champion by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) for excellence in promoting immunization efforts in the community.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual award selects one winner from participating states, territories and the District of Columbia. Chang, chair of the Tropical Medicine Graduate Program, was selected from a competitive pool of health professionals and community advocates, and received the award during the 2024 Hawaiʻi Immunization Update Conference on September 4.
“It has been my honor to serve alongside my colleagues in the Hawaiʻi Immunization Coalition to increase vaccine confidence and uptake,” said Chang. “While much work remains to be done, we are all proud of the strides we have made to protect the health of our community.”
A Leader in Vaccine Research and Public Health Initiatives
Chang joined JABSOM in 1986 as a research scientist specializing in malaria vaccine development. Over the years, she has become a leading voice in vaccine research and public health initiatives. One of her key contributions was co-founding the University Student Immunization Initiative, which focuses on improving vaccination rates among university students.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role as co-lead of the state’s medical working group for vaccination efforts, ensuring that healthcare providers had accurate information to guide vaccine policy decisions. She also served as co-chair of the vaccination education committee for the Vaccine Preventable Cancer Workgroup and led efforts to create a peer education program in partnership with local high schools to encourage vaccine acceptance.
Chang’s dedication to public health extends to her active involvement with the Hawaiʻi Immunization Coalition, where she has helped organize numerous educational initiatives aimed at increasing vaccine confidence across the state.
A Legacy of Immunization Champions
Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, JABSOM’s associate dean for academic affairs, was honored as an Immunization Champion in 2022. Chang’s recognition as the 2024 Immunization Champion further solidifies JABSOM’s commitment to promoting vaccination and safeguarding public health. Chang’s dedication to promoting vaccine confidence and uptake is an inspiration to healthcare professionals and community advocates alike. Her unwavering commitment to public health has made a lasting impact on the community, and her legacy as an Immunization Champion will continue to inspire future generations.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is committed to promoting public health and protecting the community from preventable diseases. The recognition of Sandra Chang as Hawaiʻi’s 2024 Immunization Champion underscores the institution’s dedication to this important cause. Chang’s achievements are a testament to the transformative power of science and the dedication of individuals who are passionate about improving the health of the community.
