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Native Hawaiian Health

John A. Burns School of Medicine
677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1016B
Honolulu, HI 96813
Web: www.dnhh.hawaii.edu

Faculty

M. Mau, MD (Chair)—Native Hawaiian health disparities
S. K. Brady, MD, MPH, FACP—internal medicine, biostatistics-epidemiology
D. Carpenter-Yoshino, MD—internal medicine, cultural competence, recruitment and retention
C. Ha, PhD—biochemistry, minority education
S. Hirose-Wong, PhD—research coordinator, cultural competence
R. Inouye, MA—minority education
N. Judd, PhD—public health, minority education
J. Kaholokula, PhD—behavioral health scientist
M. Kamaka, MD—family medicine, faculty development
J. Miki, MBA—health administration
D. Paloma, MBA—health administration
K. Sakamoto, MS—minority education
J. Silva, MD—obstetrics/gynecology
P. M. Tim Sing, MD—minority education
S. Tsuhako, MD—anatomy and reproductive biology
B. Young, MD—psychiatry, minority education

The Academic Program

The mission of the Native Hawaiian Health department is to be an academic center of excellence committed to optimal health and wellness for all Native Hawaiian people through research, education, and quality health practices. To accomplish this mission the program will actively seek “grass roots” partnerships with others in the community who share this mission.

Research efforts will be focused 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 existing programs are dedicated to increasing and improving the health workforce serving Hawai‘i, especially in Native Hawaiian communities: the Imi Ho‘ola Post-Baccalaureate Program and the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence. In addition, partnerships with other Native Hawaiian organizations will focus on developing models of health care practices which may include the use of traditional healing methods, telemedicine technology, and/or the translation of science-based practices with a traditional healing approach.

Imi Ho‘ola Post-Baccalaureate Program

Imi Ho‘ola (Hawaiian for “those who seek to heal”) is a post-baccalaureate program designed to provide educational opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds capable of succeeding in medical school. Although Imi Ho‘ola is not limited to persons of Hawaiian, Filipino, Samoan, Chamorro, and Micronesian descent, a large number of these students have been able to demonstrate that they are from a disadvantaged socioeconomic and/or educational background who have demonstrated a commitment to serve areas of need in Hawai‘i and the Pacific. Imi Ho‘ola 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 a federally funded project with six legislatively mandated focus areas: (1) Enhance the performance of Native Hawaiian medical students by offering support for external USMLE board preparation and collaboration with the JABSOM retention program; (2) Develop the research and teaching skills of young Native Hawaiian faculty by offering one- to two-year fellowships;(3) Address information resources through the development of an online searchable database covering Native Hawaiian health and develop cultural competency curricula through conferences and workshops; (4) Focus on research by offering an elective for first year medical students emphasizing the research and learning of Native Hawaiian health issues; (5) Promote student training in rural areas by serving as a resource for students choosing to do electives in rural, Native Hawaiian communities; and (6) Develop a competitive applicant pool through active involvement in the establishment of collaborative efforts with colleges and high schools to develop programs aimed at increasing the numbers of Native Hawaiian medical students.

NHH Courses