University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna Capt. Fiorella Esafe (BA ’12) earned the General Douglas MacArthur for Exceptional Leadership Award, which honors military members who showcase strong duty, honor and country through outstanding performance, leadership and achievement.
“It is truly an honor to represent the Army Reserve and AMEDD (U.S. Army Medical Department),” said Esafe. “I am so grateful to be recognized for something that I do from the heart, which is [to] take care of soldiers. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
Currently, Esafe is an Army Guard Reserve officer assigned to Human Resources Command as a medical talent manager for the U.S. Army. When she was 17 she immigrated to the United States from Peru for a better life.
“It was as if they knew I was not going to go back to Peru for a while,” said Esafe. “I always wanted to live in Hawaiʻi because of the beautiful beaches and the UH ROTC program’s scholarship made that a reality for me.”
Esafe credits the ROTC program for helping her to come out of her shell after first coming to campus with a shy demeanor. One professor that influenced Esafe was Kaleo Patterson.
“He was always so helpful and understanding,” she said. “He truly embraced the aloha spirit which I still carry in my career today.”
Other programs including the writing lab and tutoring were also helpful tools for Esafe. She recommends other foreign-born students to take advantage of everything UH has to offer.
“Enjoy your time at the University of Hawaiʻi,” said Esafe. “I always look back at it as some of the best years of my life, the faculty truly lived the “Aloha Spirit” and made you feel welcome.”
Learn more about Capt. Fiorella Esafe and other outstanding alumni.
