Ten new awards for Native Hawaiians in health and medicine

By

Nicole Pasia

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The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program congratulates ten (10) recipients of the 2021-2022 cohort of scholars.

“We’re so pleased with the diversity of experiences in this cohort, says Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko, director of Papa Ola Lōkahi’s health workforce development initiative, Mauli Ola Mālamalama.

The recipients include four physicians, three are attending John A. Burns School of Medicine and one Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  One dentist is in school at the University of Washington.  Three nurses have been awarded.  Of the ten, two are continuation recipients, one completing her dietetics degree at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the other completing her degree in Clinical Psychology at Pacific University. One student is from Hawai‘i Island; three each are from Maui, O‘ahu and the continental U.S.

Modeled after the National Health Service Corps, the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) has been a catalyst in building a workforce knowledgeable, capable and committed to serving the unique needs of Hawaiian communities. Each graduating scholar is obliged, upon completion of study and licensure, to serve full-time in a clinical capacity in medically under-served areas in Hawai’i for a period commensurate with the length of scholarship support.

Since 1991, more than 300 NHHSP awards have been made in 20 different primary and behavioral health care disciplines and even more sub-specialties. More than 200 have been placed into the workforce across six islands impacting the well-being of the communities they serve. More than half of those have chosen to stay in those communities beyond the required service obligation.

Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko, herself a NHHSP alumna, shares:

“These scholars join a vast network of Native Hawaiian health professionals. Speaking from experience, the relationships developed will continue throughout their professional careers.”

Dr. Sheri Daniels, Papa Ola Lokahi executive director adds:

“So many of our NHHSP alumni have risen to positions of leadership in medical, public health and Hawaiian communities. Beyond building a Hawaiian health workforce, this program has been a catalyst for Hawaiian leadership development.”

Visit www.nhhsp.org for more information about the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.

Applications for the 2022-2023 cohort will open in the Spring 2022.

This press release was provided by Papa Ola Lokahi.