PALIKIR, POHNPEI – The Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) successfully held its annual staff retreat on Friday, January 16, 2026, reflecting on the achievements of 2025 and setting a direction for the year ahead.
The day began with a formal staff meeting at the DHSA main office. Secretary Marcus Samo opened the session by presenting a comprehensive overview of each program’s performance and activities throughout 2025. He reviewed progress against the goals outlined in the Health Strategic Development Plan, emphasizing the critical impact of the Department’s work on the health and well-being of all citizens across the nation.
In his address, Secretary Samo reminded staff that their daily efforts directly advance the nation’s health. While commending the dedication and resilience shown in 2025, he acknowledged there is always room for growth, expressing full confidence in the staff’s potential to reach even higher standards in 2026.
Following the Secretary’s remarks, Assistant Secretary of Health, Moses Pretrick, and Assistant Secretary of Social Affairs, Kasinda Ludwig, addressed the staff. They led a series of engaging ice-breaker activities designed to foster team unity and cross-program collaboration.
A significant component of the retreat was a dedicated workshop on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, presented by Takiko Ifamilik, Digital Gender Coordinator. The workshop provided critical awareness and education. It sparked a robust and constructive discussion among staff and leadership, including Secretary Samo, on practical steps to draft, refine, and implement a formal departmental harassment policy. Secretary Samo endorsed the initiative, encouraging the development of a clear policy to ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all DHSA employees. In absence of a FSM National policy on sexual harassment, Secretary Samo indicated his desire to roll this idea across the entire FSM National Government, as tool to encourage respect, unity, and positive attitude at the worksite.
The formal agenda adjourned following the workshop, making way for an evening of camaraderie at the Hideaway Bar & Grill. Secretary Samo again thanked the entire staff for their unwavering commitment throughout 2025. In a reflective moment, he invited each member to describe the past year in two words. Responses included “Reflective,” “Blessed,” “Resilient,” “Perseverance,” “Preparedness,” and “Think-Outside-the-Box,” capturing the spirit of the Department’s journey.
The retreat concluded later in the evening after a shared dinner and planned group activities, leaving staff reinvigorated and aligned for the challenges and opportunities of 2026.