PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — This year, the Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) welcomed a new Health Officer to lead the department. Dr. Nimfa Teneza-Mora is a Navy veteran and has been practicing medicine for over 25 years.
She has been a Marylander since her family immigrated here from the Philippines when she was 12 years old. Teneza-Mora’s family had been separated for years before immigration visas were granted for her and her younger siblings. The reunion in the United States was exciting but challenging, Teneza-Mora said.
“The first year was most challenging as I had to make new friends, learn English as a second language and learn the culture,” she said. “Additionally, I transitioned from a Catholic school in the Philippines to a public school in Maryland. My supportive family was instrumental to my successful adjustment in the new environment. I managed to accomplish my academic and personal goals in high school, undergraduate school and medical school.”
Teneza-Mora was initially interested in an engineering career because it appealed to her interest in applied mathematics and problem-solving, as well as the ample opportunities in the field to enter the industry soon after completing her undergraduate degree.
“As school-aged children growing up in the Philippines, my siblings and I were raised by our grandparents while our parents emigrated to the US seeking improved opportunities,” Teneza-Mora said. “Our grandfather was afflicted with coronary artery disease, and he passed away from a heart attack one year after we arrived in the US. I knew then that I would be pursuing studies to be a physician so I can treat patients and help prevent a similar tragedy for families.”
Teneza-Mora and her sister applied to medical school. Her sister attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Services in Bethesda, MD. Thanks to support from the US Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program, Teneza-Mora was able to complete her medical schooling at civilian schools before moving on to residency and post-graduate programs in Navy hospitals. Teneza-Mora finished her first year at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore before transferring to Eastern Virginia Medical School to be closer to her husband, Michael.
“I served as a US Navy physician for over twenty years, beyond my obligatory period of service, as I felt compelled to support and care for those who serve our country,” Teneza-Mora said. “Being a US Navy physician was an outstanding way to honor the service and sacrifices of our brave men and women in the military.”
Teneza-Mora graduated medical school and joined the Navy in 1997. During her 27-year military career, she and her team cared for patients impacted by sexually transmitted infections. Caring for patients with stigmatizing conditions helped her become a better physician, she said.
“The experience gave me the opportunity to provide fair, equitable and compassionate medical care to all my patients and be respectful of every patient regardless of his or her background, beliefs or practices,” Teneza-Mora said. “Importantly, the experience allowed me to impart these values to junior physicians, physician trainees, and medical students whom I trained and mentored.”
Teneza-Mora retired from the Navy in October 2024 and started as CCHD Health Officer, the department’s top office, on Nov. 13. Her transition from military to civilian service has been relatively smooth. She attributes this to her years of working in close collaboration with civilian institutions, as well as the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program.
Being new to the role of Calvert’s Health Officer, Teneza-Mora says her first major task is to familiarize herself with CCHD’s many services and programs to promote community wellness. Her next step would be to formulate a plan to address any under-treated health matters and optimize support and services for Calvert residents.
“The Health Department shall focus health promotion efforts on chronic disease prevention and general and mental health wellness,” Teneza-Mora said. “More specifically, the Health Department shall leverage existing programs to increase efforts in the primary prevention of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and vaccine-preventable illnesses. The Health Department shall build upon existing efforts to improve maternal-child health and launch initiatives to promote adolescent health. The Health Department shall leverage current efforts and partnerships to promote mental health wellness, address the opioid and other substance use problems, and improve access to community health services for county residents, especially for individuals who are economically disadvantaged. We aim to apply epidemiologic data, evidence-based interventions, input from our community stakeholders, and the Maryland Department of Health priorities to guide us in executing our mission.”
“I highly encourage our readers to set a goal of finding ways to ensure they and their loved ones remain safe and healthy during the winter months,” Teneza-Mora said. “This goal can be accomplished by eating healthy, staying active, safeguarding your mental health, and preventing respiratory illness (by washing our hands frequently and getting vaccinated).”
Teneza-Mora shared some links to help readers stay healthy and happy this winter:
In addition, Teneza-Mora encouraged Calvert residents to contact CCHD’s Community Health Administrative Office to schedule a vaccination appointment. Their phone number is 410-535-5400, extension 334.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to serve as Health Officer of the Calvert County Health Department,” Teneza-Mora said. “During my first few weeks here, I rapidly learned about CCHD’s services and initiatives, the depth and breadth of the Department’s engagement with community partners and their positive impact on the health and wellness of the people we serve. I’d like to give a resounding shout out to the hardworking and dedicated teams at CCHD who work tirelessly to provide first-rate community health, behavioral health, and environmental health services for the county.”
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