Isla Community Health Announces Temporary Pause of Kagman Clinic Services While Planning to Strengthen and Expand Community Healthcare Access

SAIPAN, CNMI — Isla Community Health (ICH), operated by Kagman Community Health Center, Inc., announces the temporary closure of its Kagman clinic location, effective October 30, 2026, as the organization evaluates opportunities to rebuild and strengthen its healthcare presence in Kagman while expanding access to surrounding communities.

The decision follows facility damage sustained during Typhoon Sinlaku, which has left the Kagman clinic building unsuitable for safe occupancy by patients and staff. With patient and employee safety remaining a priority, Isla Community Health has temporarily relocated and consolidated Kagman clinic services at its Southern Isla Community Health location in San Antonio while longer-term plans are developed.

Amid the ongoing economic challenges facing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the organization is also taking a strategic approach to evaluating its facilities, resources, and healthcare delivery models to support long-term sustainability while maintaining its commitment to accessible, affordable, and quality care.

"Our commitment to Kagman and the people we serve remains as strong as ever," said Dr. Cindy Hoepner, Chief Executive Officer of Isla Community Health. "While we are temporarily closing the physical clinic, we are not stepping away from the community. Rather, we see this as an opportunity to thoughtfully rebuild and strengthen how we deliver care, with a vision of reaching not only Kagman residents but also individuals and families throughout northern and eastern Saipan who may face challenges accessing healthcare."

During this transition, patients who previously received care at the Kagman clinic will be directed to Southern Isla Community Health, located in San Antonio, Saipan, where comprehensive primary and preventive healthcare services will continue to be available.

Isla Community Health recognizes that changes in service locations may present challenges for some patients, particularly those experiencing transportation difficulties or other social barriers to accessing healthcare. The organization is actively exploring opportunities to coordinate available community resources, social assistance, and potential transportation support to help patients remain connected to the care they need.

Patients are encouraged to contact Isla Community Health for assistance with appointments, care coordination, or questions regarding the transition.

As Isla Community Health plans for the future, its vision extends beyond restoring services within a physical facility. The organization is exploring innovative, community centered approaches to healthcare delivery that could provide greater flexibility in reaching patients, addressing gaps in care, and extending services throughout Kagman and the northern and eastern communities of Saipan.

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to developing accessible, responsive, and sustainable models of care that recognize the unique geographic, economic, and social challenges experienced by island residents.

"We recognize that access to healthcare should not be defined solely by the location of a building," Dr. Hoepner added. "Our responsibility is to find meaningful and sustainable ways to bring care closer to the people who need it. We want to build upon the relationships we have established in Kagman while exploring opportunities to extend our reach to other underserved areas of Saipan. This is about strengthening our presence, expanding access, and truly meeting our patients where they are."

In collaboration with its Board of Directors, Isla Community Health is actively evaluating opportunities to reestablish a healthcare presence in Kagman while exploring service delivery approaches that could extend care to neighboring communities. The organization hopes to advance more concrete plans before the beginning of 2027. Implementation timelines will depend on facility considerations, available resources, operational feasibility, and other planning requirements.

The temporary closure of the Kagman clinic facility does not represent a withdrawal from the community. Instead, it provides an opportunity to build upon Isla Community Health's longstanding commitment to Kagman while pursuing a broader, more accessible, and sustainable approach to serving residents throughout northern and eastern Saipan.

For Isla Community Health, providing healthcare has always been about more than a physical clinic location. It is rooted in the relationships established with patients and families, the trust of the communities it serves, and a shared commitment to improving health and well-being.

Throughout this transition, the organization remains dedicated to ensuring that Kagman residents and surrounding communities continue to have access to essential healthcare services while future opportunities are carefully evaluated.

"Kagman has been an important part of who we are as an organization, and that will not change," said Dr. Hoepner. "I want our patients, families, and community members to know that our commitment to serving them remains. We are deeply grateful for their patience, understanding, and continued trust as we navigate this transition. Our vision is not simply to return to what we had before, but to build something stronger one that allows us to continue caring for Kagman while reaching even more individuals and families who need accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare."

Additional information regarding future service plans and community healthcare initiatives will be shared as planning progresses.

Patients and community members are encouraged to follow Isla Community Health's official social media platforms for announcements and updates.

Southern Isla Community Health
San Antonio, Saipan

Clinic Hours:

• Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Appointments and Inquiries: (670) 234-5240/2

About Isla Community Health

Isla Community Health, operated by Kagman Community Health Center, Inc., is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Serving communities across Saipan and Tinian, Isla Community Health provides comprehensive primary and preventive healthcare, behavioral health services, chronic disease management, and community-based support programs, with a focus on improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care.