Draft:Melvin Joseph Labao Dizon
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Submission declined on 26 September 2026 by Silvers Rayleigh (talk). This draft's references do not show that the person meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for people. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by Silvers Rayleigh 5 days ago.
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Melvin Joseph Labao Dizon is a social worker based in Hawaiʻi and a retired United States Army noncommissioned officer. He works at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where his practice includes integrated care coordination and services for medically underserved populations.[1][2] His professional activities have included behavioral health workforce development, university research support, continuing education, and nonprofit board service.[3][4][5]
Education
[edit]Dizon earned undergraduate degrees in social work, psychology, and ethnic studies, followed by a Master of Social Work, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In its 2026 research symposium biography, the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine identified him as a Doctor of Social Work candidate at the University of Southern California.[1][3]
During his undergraduate studies, he participated in student organizations and university governance. His University of Hawaiʻi biography records service as a senator representing the College of Arts and Sciences in the Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi and as a member of the Student Activity and Program Fee Board.[3]
Career
[edit]Military service
[edit]A 2008 military photograph caption, credited to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service and reproduced by GetArchive, identifies Dizon as an Army specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. The caption places him in eastern Baghdad awaiting a briefing before a joint Iraqi police and coalition humanitarian-aid operation.[6]
Workforce development
[edit]In summer 2021, Dizon participated in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s OD2A-C3 Workforce Development program. His fellowship biography also identified him as a GEAR UP Mānoa mentor at the Wahiawā site, working with the school cohort designated as the Class of 2024.[7]
Dizon worked as a research and program assistant with the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute. The institute lists him among its former team members and identifies support from the Health Resources and Services Administration for its workforce initiative.[3]
Medical social work
[edit]Dizon works as a licensed medical social worker in the Community Health Services Department at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. His work includes social determinants of health screening, care navigation, referrals, and coordination between services.[8] His professional biography describes his practice as integrated and trauma-informed, serving medically underserved populations.[1]
In its April 2026 Innovators Awards profile, Modern Healthcare described Dizon’s work on integrating behavioral healthcare with primary care. The profile discussed the use of social determinants of health information, same-day crisis-stabilization pathways, and handoffs between primary care and behavioral health teams as components of a shift toward proactive care coordination.[9]
A separate announcement from the health center described his work on access for underserved and homebound patients as early-stage exploration of approaches to care navigation and continuity.[8]
Professional education and scholarly activities
[edit]Dizon was listed as a guest speaker for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa webinar “Filipino Substance Use and Behavioral Health: Community and Service Provider Perspectives,” scheduled for June 4, 2024. The program was presented by Cliff Bersamira, with Dizon and Racquel Raneses as guest speakers. Its stated topics included the cultural and social context of Filipino communities, barriers to seeking services, and approaches to improving access and quality of care.[4]
The program for the October 2025 Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health and Wellness Convention listed Dizon’s poster “Social Work Innovation with AI & Robotics: Closing Mental and Physical Health Gaps in Medically Underserved Populations.” The abstract described a doctoral capstone concept involving technology, an implementation strategy, and an equity-centered approach to healthcare access.[10]
In 2026, the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine listed him among the abstract judges for its research symposium, held as part of the organization’s sixth annual conference.[1]
Professional and community service
[edit]The Hawaiʻi chapter of the National Association of Social Workers listed Dizon as secretary on its 2024–2025 board of directors.[11]
In October 2025, the Filipino Young Leaders Program announced his election to its board of directors for the term beginning in January 2026. The announcement identified him as an incoming director from Kapolei, Hawaiʻi.[5]
JCI Honolulu listed Dizon as a director on its 2025 board and as an adviser in its announcement of the organization’s 2026 leadership.[12][13]
The University of Hawaiʻi’s 2021 fellowship biography identifies Dizon as a member of Kappa Sigma’s Omicron Zeta chapter and records chapter responsibilities in community service, fundraising, and risk management.[7]
The Honolulu Scottish Rite’s Council of Kadosh officer roster lists Dizon as Draper.[14]
Awards and recognition
[edit]The Honolulu Scottish Rite lists Dizon among its 2025 recipients of the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor investiture.[15]
Dizon received the RISE Trailblazer Award in 2026.[2] The award recognizes innovation and leadership concerning care for older adults.[16] RISE’s recipient announcement identified him as a licensed social worker at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and cited his work on care navigation and access for homebound and rural populations.[2]
He was recognized in the 2026 Modern Healthcare Innovators Awards.[9][8] His employer also announced his receipt of the Leadership in Advancing Social Work Practice and Social Justice Award from the National Conference on DSW Education and Social Work.[8]
The National Association of Community Health Centers announced that Dizon received its Outstanding Achievement Award at its 2026 Community Health Institute conference. The association cited his work in integrated behavioral health and community-based care.[17]
In August 2026, The Outstanding Filipino Awards named Dizon among its honorees for that year.[18][19]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "2026 Research Symposium". Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 3 "RISE Awards". RISE. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 3 4 "Team Leadership". Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute. University of Hawaiʻi. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 "Filipino Substance Use and Behavioral Health: Community and Service Provider Perspectives" (PDF) (Continuing education webinar announcement). University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 "New Board Members Join FYLPRO Leadership in 2026". Filipino Young Leaders Program. 2025-10-20. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "U.S. Army Spc. Melvin Dizon of 1st Battalion, 66th". GetArchive (Military photograph and caption). 2008. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 "WFD Fellows 2021". OD2A-C3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 3 4 Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. "Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center's Post". LinkedIn (Employer announcement). Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 "Melvin Dizon". Modern Healthcare. 2026-04-13.
- ↑ 2025 Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health and Wellness Convention (Conference program). Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. 2025. p. 25.
- ↑ "2024–2025 Board of Directors". National Association of Social Workers, Hawaiʻi Chapter. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "2025 Board of Directors". JCI Honolulu. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Congratulations 2026 BOD". JCI Honolulu. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Council of Kadosh". The Official Website of the Honolulu Scottish Rite. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "KCCH". The Official Website of the Honolulu Scottish Rite. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ WFRA Marketing. "2026 RISE Trailblazer Award". Vimeo (Video description). Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ National Association of Community Health Centers. "National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)'s Post". LinkedIn (Conference and award announcement). Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ TOFA News Staff (2026-08-04). "TOFA names second wave of 2026 honorees, from WWII vet to Sharon Cuneta". The Outstanding Filipino Awards. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ Abunda, Boy (2026-08-28). "Sharon Cuneta, Apl.de.ap, Kuh Ledesma lead this year's TOFA honorees". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
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