Department of Native Hawaiian Health

John A. Burns School of Medicine
677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1016B
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 692-1050
Web: dnhh.hawaii.edu

Faculty

J. K. Kaholokula, PhD (Chair)—behavioral medicine and science, clinical health psychology
D. Carpenter, MD—internal medicine, clinical teaching, cultural competence
S. Fernandes, MD—pediatrics, student recruitment and retention
J. Freitas, PsyD—behavioral health science, clinical health psychology
C. Ha, PhD—biochemistry, post baccalaureate education
C. Harris, MBA—business management, post baccalaureate education
K. K. Hosoda, PhD—information and data sciences, learning sciences, educational psychology
C. Ing, DrPH—health disparities, translational, and community-based participatory research
N. Judd, PhD—emerita professor
M. Kamaka, MD—family medicine, cultural competence
S. Kaulukukui, MS—student development
M. Malepeai, LSW—behavioral science, clinical health psychology
M. Mau, MD, MS—health disparities, Myron Pinky Thompson Endowed Chair
W. K. Mesiona-Lee, MD—pediatrics, post baccalaureate education, student recruitment and retention
R. Miyamoto, PsyD—behavioral science, clinical health psychology
D. Thompson, MEd—post baccalaureate education, student retention
P. M. Tim Sing, MD—internal medicine, post baccalaureate education
S. Tsuhako, MD—anatomy and reproductive biology, post baccalaureate education
K. Voloch, MD—pediatrics, post baccalaureate education
V. Wong, MD, MS—family medicine, faculty development
K. Yamauchi, MPA—post baccalaureate education, student recruitment and retention

* Graduate Faculty

The Academic Program

The mission of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health is to be a center of excellence in education, research, and quality health care practices committed to the optimal health and wellness of Kānaka ʻŌiwi, their families, and communities while embracing traditional Hawaiian values and practices. To accomplish this mission, they integrate the biomedical, behavioral, psychosocial, and public health sciences with Hawaiian cultural knowledge and wisdom of Kū Pono: achieving optimal health and wellness.

Research efforts focus on reducing and eliminating health disparities in Native Hawaiians and other Pacific-based populations. This includes activities such as conducting hypothesis driven research, developing pilot studies, training new researchers and networking with Native Hawaiian communities to disseminate research information.

Two programs are dedicated to increasing and improving the health workforce serving Hawaiʻi, especially in Native Hawaiian communities: the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program and the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence.

ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program

ʻImi Hoʻōla (translates in Hawaiian to “those who seek to heal”) is a 12-month post-baccalaureate program designed to provide educational opportunities to students deemed capable of succeeding in medical school. ʻImi Hoʻōla’s goal is to support the physician workforce and produce physicians who demonstrate a strong commitment to practice in communities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Applicants to the ʻImi Hoʻōla Program have demonstrated leadership skills, humanism, motivation, and a commitment to serve communities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. ʻImi Hoʻōla has expanded its outreach efforts and developed partnerships with local high schools, colleges, and community-based health organizations.

Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence (NHCOE)

NHCOE is funded through state, federal, and private funds and focuses on: (1) Enhancing the performance of medical students by offering support for USMLE board preparation and collaboration with JABSOM retention efforts; (2) Developing the research and teaching skills of JABSOM faculty through workshops, presentations, and professional development activities; (3) Disseminating information resources for Native Hawaiian health, cultural competency, and curricula through publications, conferences and workshops; (4) Offering electives for medical students on topics related to Native Hawaiian health issues; (5) Serving as a resource for medical students choosing to do electives in rural Native Hawaiian communities; and (6) Developing a competitive applicant pool through the establishment of collaborative efforts with colleges, high schools, and community partners to develop programs aimed at increasing the numbers of students who are committed to serving as physicians that address the health issues particularly affecting Native Hawaiian communities.