The Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs on Oct. 9 held a confirmation hearing for Julene Duenas, a physical therapist nominated by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero to serve as the physical therapy representative on the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners.

The hearing focused on Duenas’s 37 years of clinical experience, past service on the board and several operational problems the board faces, including a backlog of unresolved complaints dating to 2022 and limits on legal and investigative resources. Acting Health Professional Licensing Office Administrator Brianna Sablan testified on behalf of Department of Public Health and Social Services Director Teresa C. Areola in support of the nomination.

Duenas told the committee she has practiced on Guam for most of her career, owns Soar Physical Therapy and previously served on the Allied Health board until about February 2010. “I’m here to serve to the best to protect the community from an allied health perspective, and it would be my honor to serve on the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners,” she said.

Committee members pressed Duenas and HPLO staff about why some complaints have remained open for years. Sablan and Duenas said several cases have been delayed by procurement rules and by the board’s lack of standing legal and investigative support. Sablan said the HPLO recently secured an assigned assistant attorney general, “Attorney Tillman,” in August 2025 and is pursuing creation of a shared investigator position for the nine boards overseen by the HPLO.

“Some of the complaints are already investigated by board members and are ready for legal advice on the next step,” Sablan said. She told senators that previous attempts to procure an off‑island investigator were halted after federal procurement guidance required a new RFP, requiring the board to restart the procurement process.

Senators asked about specific clinical concerns raised with the board, including dry needling and allegations of unauthorized practice. Duenas said updating rules and regulations to reflect current physical‑therapy techniques is a priority and that a dedicated physical‑therapy representative can help the board identify and prioritize clinically grounded cases.

Several committee members expressed support for Duenas’s nomination while stressing the need for timely complaint resolution and transparency. No confirmation vote was taken during the hearing; senators said the nomination will be pursued in the Legislature’s November session.

The committee hearing record includes testimony read by Brianna Sablan on behalf of Director Areola that described Duenas’s qualifications and urged confirmation to provide continuity and professional expertise on the board. The committee chair closed the hearing after members asked follow‑up questions about HPLO staffing, procurement and public posting of minutes.

What’s next: The nomination remains pending. Senators said they intend to consider confirmation in the November legislative session and expect HPLO to report on procurement and investigator position progress.