TJC Accredited
3 consecutive terms
(Tuesday, September 30, 2025; Dededo, Guam) – Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) proudly announces a groundbreaking milestone in Guam’s healthcare system with the successful implementation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) on September 16, 2025 – the first time this advanced therapy has been made available to the island’s civilian population.
CRRT is a specialized form of dialysis used in intensive care settings to treat patients with life-threatening kidney failure, severe fluid overload, or critical illness. Unlike traditional dialysis, which is delivered intermittently, CRRT provides continuous, gentle filtration of the blood, making it safer and more effective for patients who are too unstable to tolerate conventional dialysis.
Previously, this treatment was only available at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam (USNH Guam) for military service members, veterans, and their families. Through a landmark collaboration between GRMC and the USNH Guam Intensive Care Unit teams, CRRT is now accessible to all critically ill patients at GRMC – marking a transformative leap in civilian critical care on island.
“This is a great milestone for our island,” said Jennifer Cruz, GRMC Chief Nursing & Ancillary Officer. “We are deeply grateful for the collaboration with the USNH Guam and proud that GRMC can now provide this lifesaving treatment to our patients. Our mission has always been to advance healthcare services for Guam and the region, and the implementation of CRRT is a clear example of that commitment.”
“I am honored and proud to be part of this historic milestone at GRMC,” said Dr. Azita Mesbah, GRMC nephrologist. “The introduction of CRRT represents a vital advancement in the treatment of critically ill patients with kidney failure in our ICU. This technology ensures that our most vulnerable patients receive the care they deserve, expanding our ability to deliver the highest standard of treatment without limitation. I am deeply grateful for the vision and support of GRMC’s executive leadership and the dedication of our nursing staff—this achievement would not have been possible without their commitment.”
“This collaboration reflects the added strength to our island community when military and civilian healthcare come together, said Dr. Alexander “Beau” Wielaard, GRMC Chief Executive Officer. “CRRT is very important in our ongoing efforts to advance the quality of cardiac, stroke, and trauma care for the residents of Guam and the broader region. By expanding these critical care capabilities, we are supporting a shared mission to offer the world-class healthcare our community deserves.”
As Guam’s only private hospital, GRMC is building deep and resilient programs to meet the complex needs of the community across areas such as cardiac, neurosciences, cancer, and trauma. GRMC seeks to strengthen the regional healthcare system through collaboration and innovation.