Left Saipan as young girl and came back a physician

Dr. Norma Ada

Even at a young age, Norma Ada knew she was going to be a physician. But to do that, she had to leave home and flourish somewhere else first. She graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1993 and, after four years of residency training at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, she returned to Saipan in September 1997, now with the title “Dr.” affixed to her name.

“It was always my intention to come back to Saipan after completing my educational and training requirements. I left as a 17-year-old high school graduate in 1985 and coming home as a doctor in 1997 was one of the most joyful moments for me and my family,” she said.

Ada said she is very close to her family and growing up on Saipan meant she knew at an early age how valuable being healthy meant and the role a physician has in influencing the health of others. “My decision was definitely made even easier after spending four long years in upstate New York, so I was ready for year-round sunshine,” she added.

Ada tells people that pursuing medicine is not a career but a vocation. “…It is a way of life that many of us chose and enjoy tremendously. When you enjoy what you do and are passionate about it, then that is what motivates you to come to work. To be able to wholeheartedly care for the sick is a grace you may not realize, and not many people can do it, so whether you care for the sick in your home, clinic, or hospital, you are doing what comes naturally to you,” she said.

Life in the field of medicine challenges one’s life balance, Ada said. That means sometimes thinking about a patient or their circumstances but also making the time to be “present” in the presence of one’s family. “My husband, Jayson, will attest that this is not always the case. I try not to be everywhere and do everything but I am gently reminded to simply ‘slow down,’ as my mom would say, and make the time for God, family, and friends,” she added.

After many years in medical practice, Ada is still always thinking of how Saipan can grow as a place ideal for everyone. “…I have bounced this idea to others that Saipan needs a safe designated beach area for our disabled folks to swim and do aquatherapy. I have started to research ideas on placing a ramp so one can walk with assistance or wheel themselves close to the shoreline and wade in the water to enjoy our ocean or safely do water-based physical therapy.

“I tell patients that we have the best swimming pool along our western shoreline and we need to figure out a way to make it more accessible to those who would benefit from being in the water and I have received encouraging feedback from my focus group. …This is hopefully the year that the world begins to come out of the pandemic, so I want to continue to help in the efforts of encouraging others to be vaccinated or answer their questions if they are still hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccines,” she added.

Aside from giving medical prescriptions, Ada also generously dispenses life advice. “…I often tell the young members of my family and they would laugh at this but a career that requires many years in higher education and specialty training is ‘delayed gratification.’ It takes hard work, grit, and most importantly, support from your family and friends who believe in you and cheer you along the way and pick you up with words of encouragement and love. …Care for yourself and others, keep your mind, spirit and body healthy, and never stop learning, especially reading books,” she said. “I also encourage having a well-rounded life. …Nurture other passions and interests or engage in activities with others, be it in sports, arts, music, dance, cooking, or anything that takes you outdoors and brings out your creativity. You want to hang out with folks who will get you out of bed or off the couch to go walking, biking, fishing, swimming, or simply laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We live on an island where being outside is a great reason to keep your mind and body healthy.”