Jack Niedenthal

Jack Niedenthal (citizen of the Marshall Islands and the US).

Having lived, studied and worked in the Marshall Islands from 1981 until the present, he speaks fluent Marshallese. He was the Secretary of Health Services for the Marshall Islands during the entire COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2023), where it is noted that the Marshall Islands had one of the best responses in the world to the virus. He is the author of the books “For the Good of Mankind, An Oral History of the People of Bikini" and "The Pacific Way: Reflections from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Bikini Atoll" (2026), and is the President of Microwave Films of the Marshall Islands. He has written, co-produced and co-directed six award-winning feature films in the Marshallese language and numerous short films including the first Marshallese sitcom series, MAJURO 5-Oh.

He currently serves as a Consultant for the people of Bikini Atoll, and is the Program Manger for the Pacific Media Institute and is a regular columnist for the Pacific Island Times Magazine.

The government of the Marshall Islands awarded him an honorary "Public Benefit" Marshallese citizenship in December of 2000.

Along with his 2 books, he has published a numerous articles, academic papers and photos about the Marshall Islands in The Guardian (United Kingdom), World View magazine, The Health Physics Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and many others.

He and his wife of 37 years, Regina, a Bikini islander, have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. -May 27, 2026