Promoting health through music

When a person living on Saipan has a medical problem, typically they will make the trip to the Commonwealth Health Care facility in Garapan, doctors and nurses will find a solution that best addresses the condition.

When issues arise for the Department of Public Health or the CHC, they typically turn to their public information officer to update the community and to keep them informed of any safety and public health related information.

John Paul Douglas has been working as the PIO for the DPH and CHC for just about a year now, and it would seem that position has been mutually beneficial.

“I love working for the Department of Public Health. I get to work with such an amazing group of people who are all extremely talented at what they do. I feel fortunate because I’ve learned so many things while working here that it makes me excited to come in to work everyday,” said Douglas.

Douglas strives to develop ways in which to educate the public about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, although he admits he has some room for improvement a little closer to home.

“Getting healthy and staying healthy is difficult task, but it can be done. I’m the spokesperson for the DPH, and I myself have a long tough road to go before I am a healthier individual. We have no greater gift in the world than our bodies. Keeping ourselves happy and healthy is the best thing we can do to live a long and enjoyable life. Currently I’m working out at Gold’s Gym, which is fantastic. I have also made a U-turn in my diet and have started eating healthy foods again. I feel like that’s a great start.”

Growing up in New Rochelle, New York, Douglas graduated from Florida State University with a degree in English and Communications. A long way from the east coast, Douglas described what is like working with Dr. Heinz Hofschneider.

“Working with Doctor Hofschneider is an adventure. He is such a diverse and talented person. When he’s not spending time working on improving the DPH as the Secretary of Public Health, he’s either in the hospital saving lives or working with the HIV/AIDS patients in the HIV/STD Prevention Program. I’ve learned so many things from the man. I admire him because he is sincere and passionate about everything he does.”

A man of diversity himself, Douglas is an avid collector of music, with an emphasis on hard to find vinyl records and electronic music releases. While learning to play the drums at the age of 14, Douglas has since been a part of many punk and jazz bands before picking up the art of being a DJ.

Douglas started DJ’ing when he was 18 after he became engrossed with dance music and the international appeal of the DJ culture. The talent has followed him to Saipan where he is now the host of a radio program on 88.1 KRNM FM. The show, entitled Media Offline, offers two hours of dance music every Saturday night from 9pm to 11pm.

“I’m floored to have the opportunity to do this show. When I came to Saipan, the only thing I thought I was missing was good dance music, like house and trance on the radio. I truly and deeply love every second of music I play on the show, and for that reason, I know people will get something out of it.”

Between the media and the music, it would seem that Douglas might have a difficult time trying to devote himself to either one of them, but as he describes, it is a labor of love.

“I go into everything I do with a passion. Everything starts with passion. From spinning records as a DJ, to helping promote health in this community; I have become passionate with anything I am involved with.”

The man of many forms of media credits not only his experiences on Saipan, but also the people that he has encountered along the way for all of his success.

“I’ve come to love and respect Saipan immeasurably over that time. Nowhere have I felt so comfortable and at home. I’m fortunate to know so many wonderful and kind people here. As for my source of strength, it has to be the women in my life. From my mother and four sisters, to my girlfriend Jennifer; they are all beautiful people who keep me honest and modest about everything. I have supreme respect for them all.”