Joshua Ilustre, MD

John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Joshua was born and raised on the island of Guam and is a proud Child of Deaf Adults (CODA). Growing up in a Deaf household deeply shaped his perspective on communication, culture, and healthcare disparities, ultimately inspiring his commitment to becoming a physician advocate for the Deaf community. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Portland, where he balanced his academic pursuits with elite athletics, representing Guam as a Track & Field athlete in the 2016 Summer Olympics. His experience as a student-athlete on the 

​international stage helped instill discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose — qualities that now guide his journey in medicine. Joshua went on to complete his medical education at Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, where he dedicated himself to community service and health equity. He volunteered extensively with the Hawaii H.O.M.E. Project, delivering medical care to Oahu’s houseless population. He also helped coordinate and participate in social events that brought together ASL students and members of the Deaf community, fostering language development, culture exchange, and stronger ties between the Deaf and hearing communities. As a resident physician, Joshua is passionate about primary care and health justice, and he aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. In his free time, Joshua enjoys running, watching Laker games, and keeping up with Marvel movies/shows.