In the highly competitive world of pre-medicine, nine students in the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program chose collaboration over rivalry during a demanding year preparing to enter the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (JABSOM). Their efforts were recently celebrated by mentors, loved ones and the JABSOM ʻohana

For Regan Stradtmann-Carvalho, one of just two in the ʻImi Hoʻōla cohort living on Oʻahu without immediate family support, the journey was especially challenging. But bonds with classmates sustained her.

“You know, my peers have become like my sisters, they really helped me through,” said the Kamehameha Schools alumna, who grew up in rural Volcano Village on �鶹��ý Island. There, she witnessed the challenges of accessing consistent medical care and drew inspiration from her father, a psychiatric nurse.

“He always said it’s because he’s a Hilo boy. So, he’s a Hilo boy taking care of his own community,” she said. “I’m a Hilo girl that wants to return to the Big Island someday.”

Mililani High School graduate Taylor Gomban also found her calling early. “I’ve always wanted to make people smile and improve their quality of life,” she said.

Volunteering at Queen’s Medical Center confirmed Gomban’s desire to become a doctor. As a first-generation student during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she navigated the pre-med path on her own.

“I had to do a lot of putting myself out of my comfort zone,” said Gomban, who now feels supported by mentors and peers. “They say ‘Once an ʻImi , always an ʻImi.’”

‘Those who seek to heal’

They say ‘Once an ʻImi, always an ʻImi.’
—Taylor Gomban

The program’s name means “those who seek to heal,” and it prepares students from underserved communities to become physicians serving �鶹��ý and the Pacific. Successful completion guarantees admission to JABSOM.

“It really is a challenging program, and I think it sets us up very well to succeed in the future,” said Stradtmann-Carvalho.

For Gomban, the cohort’s bond extended beyond the classroom. “We never missed a birthday celebration,” she said. “We always got cake and we always sang.”

Now, they celebrate their biggest milestone yet: entering the JABSOM MD Class of 2029.

Nine graduates of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa medical school’s ʻImi Hoʻōla class of 2024 have earned admission as first-year students to the (JABSOM).

The ʻImi Hoʻōla program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2023, is part of JABSOM’s . During the rigorous year-long program, selected students study sciences and humanities, and refine their communication and critical-thinking skills. The program has guided more than 300 students from disadvantaged backgrounds toward medical careers, with many serving �鶹��ý.

“It’s the most amazing feeling,” said Aljay Carnate, one of the 2024 program graduates. “I think it’s probably going to hit me at the White Coat Ceremony. I get super emotional because I’ve tried so hard, so many times, and now I’m finally going to live the dream I’ve been longing for.”

Student’s perseverance, dedication pays off

“It teaches you to navigate and be resilient because medicine is not easy,” said Carnate, who faced several challenges during his application process. Initially, he applied to both ʻImi Hoʻōla and JABSOM but was rejected. On his second attempt, he was waitlisted for ʻImi Hoʻōla but denied admission to JABSOM.

“I gave myself a third try, and this time, I was waitlisted for JABSOM but accepted into ʻImi Hoʻōla,” Carnate explained.

Once admitted to the program, Carnate dedicated himself to his studies, often studying from early morning until late at night, sacrificing time with family and friends.

It teaches you to navigate and be resilient because medicine is not easy.
—Aljay Carnate

“It was a sacrifice that I had to make, but I knew that this would allow me to pursue a path in medicine,” he said.

Carnate was inspired to become a physician after his grandmother, who battled stage four cancer, passed away.

“She didn’t tell us about her condition until it was too late because she didn’t want to place a financial burden on my parents,” said Carnate, who wants to be able to provide medical access to low-income communities like Kalihi.

Carnate hopes to inspire future generations as well. “I represent the low-income, gay, first-generation and Filipino immigrant communities. I hope that by having these identities, my patients can relate to me and trust me. I also hope to empower and uplift those in future generations who want to go into medicine. They can see me and be like, ‘Hey, if he can do it, then I can do it too,’” he added.

The other 2024 ʻImi Hoʻōla graduates are Lindney Acosta, Richelle Hannah Alfonso, Kai Hirayama, Jeannie Ho, Christian Llantero, Nicholas Loi, Kiara Moffitt and Leo Wu.

.

“If it were not for ʻImi, I would not be sitting in this chair right now.”

Those are the words of Gerard Akaka, a renowned physician and vice president of Native Hawaiian affairs and clinical support at the Queen’s Health System about the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa ‘s (JABSOM) ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program.

“Being a VP and doing this work would never have happened. The same goes for all the people I was able to help and impact. It was ʻImi that made it possible.”

ʻImi Hoʻōla provides those who pass with a conditional acceptance to a U.S. medical school. In October, the program, credited with putting Akaka and more than 300 Native Hawaiians and others from underserved backgrounds on the path to medicine, celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A noble cause

ʻImi Hoʻōla in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý means “those who seek to heal.” In 1973, it started as a pre-medical enrichment program for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students with the goal of creating physicians who reflect the communities they serve. Fifty years later, the mission is still the same, but has evolved to meet the needs of disadvantaged students from all backgrounds. ʻImi Hoʻōla does not make admissions decisions based on ethnicity or race.

“We want to meet the needs of those students who would not have the chance to enter JABSOM through its regular admissions pathway,” said Winona Lee, director of ʻImi Hoʻōla. “They may be first-generation college students or English language learners. Our program opens the door and allows them to walk through to give them that opportunity to really serve the people of �鶹��ý.”

ʻImi Hoʻōla was founded by Benjamin Young. Now 85, he was one of the first Native Hawaiian physicians and the first Native Hawaiian psychiatrist.

“I was heading to middle schools, high schools and colleges and meeting with the counselors, finding out who their brightest students are who were interested in medicine—but thought they could never do it because their MCAT scores were low. All they needed was a review of pre-med chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, zoology and they could possibly get into medical school,” Young said in an interview.

He shared the story of ʻImi‘s first student, Chiyome Fukino. Young met her father as he was purchasing a vacuum cleaner. He mentioned ʻImi Hoʻōla and encouraged Fukino’s father to have her apply. She completed the program and eventually became the State Director of Health for �鶹��ý.

Producing �鶹��ý‘s leaders

Fukino and Akaka’s stories are not rare. For the last 50 years, many ʻImi graduates have made indelible impacts on the health of �鶹��ý and beyond.

Former ʻImi Hoʻōla director, Nanette Judd said many have gone on to hold key leadership positions at JABSOM and throughout the state.

“Many of them have gone on to be chairs of departments,” she said. “Dr. Neal Palafox was one of our early students in the program. He’s devoted more than a quarter-century to improving the health of Pacific Islander populations. Dr. Naleen Andrade chaired the Department of Psychiatry. She also chaired the board of Queen’s Health System. These are just two examples of our leaders. They’re also mentors, and that mentorship is so important because when the students see them, they know they can do it, because they’re being mentored by people who have done it.”

The next 50 years

On October 28, ʻImi Hoʻōla celebrated its golden anniversary at the Koʻolau Ballrooms with current students and past graduates who reminisced on this significant milestone. Alumna Angela Pratt unveiled a preview of a documentary chronicling the rich legacy of the program, Young reflected on the evolution of ʻImi, and Palafox served as featured keynote speaker.

“I think of Dr. Ben Young, Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, Dr. Nanette Judd and Dean Rogers back in the 70s. I was around when those guys were dreaming about this,” Akaka said. “We are fulfilling the dream. When you look at…the other ʻImis, and what they’ve gone on to do, the quality of their work and the heart—it’s their pono (goodness), humble, hard-working and wanting to serve. I think they would be proud and happy that ʻImi is in good hands and on the path they always hoped and prayed for.”

The only Center of Excellence in the nation that is focused on increasing the representation of Native Hawaiian students in medicine and other health professions has been awarded a $3.4-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to continue helping Native Hawaiians pursue these careers through education, research and community initiatives.

The (NHCOE) based at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) has been supporting the advancement of Native Hawaiian students and faculty in medicine for 30 years. The center provides the inspiration, tools and financial assistance it takes to achieve the dream many students have of being able to serve the people of �鶹��ý as doctors.

“Our Native Hawaiian students are the future leaders that we need to ensure that the communities of �鶹��ý receive the quality health care services that they deserve,” said Winona Lee, NHCOE principal investigator.

Equity for Native Hawaiian students

Medical school can be daunting for anyone. Factoring in obstacles outside one’s control, like socioeconomic health disparities, can be even more challenging for students. Programs like NHCOE emphasize equity and offer students such as Bree Kaneakua, a Native Hawaiian from Hilo, an opportunity at leveling the playing field.

As a Native Hawaiian, it’s so easy to feel like you don’t belong in the field of medicine.
—Bree Kaneakua, JABSOM student

“As a Native Hawaiian, it’s so easy to feel like you don’t belong in the field of medicine,” said Kaneakua, who is a fourth-year medical student at JABSOM. “It’s such an intimidating field for anyone. It’s challenging. So to feel like you don’t belong in 99% of the rooms you’re in comes with the territory.”

Kaneakua added, “To have this metaphorical ‘room’ at JABSOM, where I feel like I fit in and belong, it means a lot. It shows Native Hawaiian students that we belong in this field. There’s a place for us.”

When 2022 JABSOM graduate Dillon Tacdol entered medical school, he leaned on NHCOE for help with the application process.

“The Native Hawaiian Pathway to Medicine program was instrumental in helping me get into medical school,” he said. “When I was applying to medical school, the MCAT was transitioning to a new system where they were integrating social sciences into the test. The test had changed. I was able to get books to study for it. The NHPM program also prepared me for medical school interviews and assisted with writing personal statements.”

The Native Hawaiian Student Pathway to Medicine program led Tacdol to the program, which paved the way for him to get into medical school by preparing him in basic sciences and understanding Problem Based Learning framework.

Both Tacdol and Kaneakua found the skills they learned in ʻImi Hoʻōla would serve as a source they’d tap into for years to come.

“It set me up for success once I got into medical school. Now, in my fourth year, as I start to prepare applications to residency, I’m still pulling from the knowledge I got from NHCOE,” Kaneakua said.

Tacdol added, “NHCOE helped find mentors and other colleagues who provided insight and could relate to what I was going through as I navigated medical school and residency. Without NHCOE, I think it would have taken a lot longer to get to medical school. I’m very grateful to this program for helping me get to where I am today.”

Aiko Murakami graduated from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) in 2022 with no debt.

“Looking at my friends who weren’t as fortunate, it was a big relief that I didn’t have to carry that burden,” she said.

According to the latest numbers from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), Murakami’s story of achieving graduation with zero debt is becoming more common now than before at JABSOM. Statistics from 2022 show more than 40% of JABSOM graduates left school with zero debt, compared to 29% at all other medical schools.

This positive change results from the investments the JABSOM ʻohana has made in scholarships. Compared to other medical schools, UH medical school students are getting more of a financial head start as a whopping 93% of the graduating 2022 class reported receiving at least one scholarship. Only 64% of students across all medical schools can attest to that.

“I don’t think people expect that from a public school,” Murakami said.

Raising scholarship funds

Recognizing that educational debt can be a barrier to a student choosing a primary care discipline or practicing in a state with a higher cost of living/practice, JABSOM leaders and the have been working to raise scholarship funds to reduce that financial barrier for its students.

Partners include community donors, philanthropists and �鶹��ý’s health systems, including Queen’s Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Adventist Health Castle.

I would have had to take out a loan. I wouldn’t have had enough to pay for school and life
—Aiko Murakami

Students can apply for dozens of scholarships in a wide variety of categories. JABSOM offers dedicated scholarships for first and second year medical school students, those with Native Hawaiian ancestry, and those who graduated from the school’s , an important post-baccalaureate program for disadvantaged students.

Scholarships such as the Barry and Virginia Weinman Scholarship Matching Challenge, paid students’ full tuition for the entire four years of medical school. Murakami was one of its recipients, and she realizes life would be drastically different without it. The Weinman scholarship allowed her to dedicate all her energy to education and refocus her desire to stay and practice in her home state.

“I would have had to take out a loan. I wouldn’t have had enough to pay for school and life,” she said.

Related: Community partners donate $3.66 million for 23 “full-tuition” JABSOM scholarships

Murakami’s scholarship package totaled more than $100,000. Making a dramatic positive difference in the finances of its students was the goal of JABSOM’s Dean Jerris Hedges.

“Making education affordable is of paramount importance now more than ever. I committed to developing and enhancing our scholarship opportunities and am thrilled at how rapidly scholarship support has grown in just four years,” Hedges said. “The scholarships awarded to our students not only change their lives but also pave the way for �鶹��ý to retain the talent we foster at JABSOM. Having more doctors from �鶹��ý financially able to practice in �鶹��ý, will in turn support the health and enrich the lives of �鶹��ý residents.”

Higher scholarship amounts, less student debt

The success of that plan is reflected in the numbers. In 2018, no students reported receiving scholarships between $150,000 and $199,999. Today, 23.7% of graduating students in the 2022 class have received scholarships between those figures. More eye-opening is that 22% of JABSOM students reported having received no scholarships upon graduation in 2018. Less than 7% of students made that claim in 2022.

Most JABSOM scholarship recipients also see a significant impact on their personal finances.

$80,000 is the median scholarship amount for JABSOM students, while $30,000 is the median for their continental U.S. counterparts.

While the overwhelming majority of JABSOM students receive financial aid through scholarships, debt remains commonplace in medical school. Still, the sting of debt is not as painful for JABSOM graduates. The 2022 LCME data show that 48% leave with less than $50,000 in medical school debt. Only 36% of students graduating from all other medical schools can say that.

Upon graduation, 46% of JABSOM graduates have plans to serve in underserved areas, compared to 29% of students at other schools.

“I’ve always wanted to practice here. Going to JABSOM reinforced that. I never wanted to change that course. I wouldn’t be able to survive anywhere else,” said Murakami.

.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) welcomed its newest class of 77 aspiring physicians on July 22. The JABSOM Class of 2026 celebrated its White Coat Ceremony at Kaimukī High School—the first full in-person White Coat Ceremony for new students since 2019.

The ceremony marks the beginning of a medical student’s journey to becoming a physician. With the assistance of a physician mentor or a physician from their families, the Class of 2026 donned brand new white coats, which symbolizes the students’ commitment to medicine.

Two �鶹��ý-bred students from the new class, Jasmine Padamada and Jonathan Carino, are eager for the journey ahead of them.

Padamada, who hails from �鶹��ý Island, looks forward to applying the basic foundations of science that she learned from her undergraduate years at UH Manoā as well as the JABSOM , which is a rigorous year-long curriculum for students from underserved communities.

“I feel like it’s a big honor,” said Padamada, who plans to give back to her community in Keaʻau upon completion of medical school. “I think I’m privileged thinking of where I come from. I’m really honored and really excited. Here in the state, there is a physician shortage, especially on the other islands, the more rural areas…so just growing up and then being able to experience that, it really inspired me to come back. Being able to be here right now, to be able to have the opportunity to give back, give these rural areas more resources, be a resource for them. I think that’s a dream come true.”

Carino, a Pearl City native, was inspired by the doctor who took care of his father, who survived a heart attack. The care that his father received inspired him to take a leap into medicine and to give back to his community as well.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Carino said. “[The white coat] is a symbol of the long path, the long journey and to be able to practice and become a doctor in my home state and take care of my community that helped raise me. It’s a privilege and I love it.”

The newest MD class consists of 85% of students from �鶹��ý. Students outside of �鶹��ý include those from Guam, Korea and the U.S. mainland (California, Maine, Colorado and Maryland). In addition, five graduates of the first all-female cohort of ʻImi Hoʻōla matriculated into JABSOM, which reflects the majority of women in their current class.

Jester Galiza, a fourth-year medical student and class president at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM), was awarded the 2021 Excellence in Public Health Award from the (USPHS). He becomes only the fourth JABSOM student in the school’s history to receive this top award for medical students. Galiza was recognized for his engagement in advocacy and health policy and his drive to fight for health equity, which stems from his personal experiences as a first-generation Filipinx-American whose parents immigrated to �鶹��ý from the Philippines.

The national award is given to medical students who are public health champions advancing the USPHS mission to “protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our nation” and who are helping address public health issues in their community.

“I have an intimate understanding of the challenges our underserved face and a passion for their social justice in medicine,” Galiza said. “As a future physician and community leader, it is my life’s calling—my kuleana (deep-seated privilege and responsibility).”

“Congratulations to Jester Galiza on being awarded the prestigious 2021 Excellence in Public Health Award,” said JABSOM Director of Student Affairs Lawrence Burgess, who nominated Galiza. “Only one nominee is awarded per medical school annually,” he said. Of the total number of nominees across the country last year, 110 students were ultimately selected.

Raised in ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu and a graduate of Campbell High School, Galiza lived and witnessed firsthand the unfortunate reality of how one’s zip code or ethnic background has the potential to dictate social and medical outcomes. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in biology at Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in education from UH ����ԴDz�.

Advocating for social and health equity

By undertaking many leadership roles as a medical student at JABSOM, Galiza has influenced many of his peers to engage in his quest to achieve health equity. His titles include inter-class council president, director of advocacy and activism for the Partnership for Social Justice, president for Primary Care Progress and co-president for the American Medical Association/Hawaii Medical Association Student Chapter.

Galiza has spearheaded events to advocate for issues in social and health equity and has engaged his fellow medical students to make a difference in the community through the legislative process.
For example, he organized a group of medical students to attend a roundtable with Lt. Gov. Josh Green at the state Capitol, alongside other stakeholders to talk about the rampant use of e-cigarettes among �鶹��ý’s youth. He also led the effort in mobilizing medical students to support a bill that would ban fruit and candy-flavored nicotine products and liquids for e-cigarettes, which he believes is the culprit for the widespread use among children.

As a proud graduate of JABSOM’s , which is dedicated to recruiting and training future physicians from disadvantaged backgrounds, Galiza obtained nearly 70 written testimonies and nine oral testimonies from medical students in support of a bill that would establish funding for ʻImi Hoʻōla and the school’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health, the only medical school department in the country that is dedicated to the health of Indigenous peoples.

He plans to pursue Med-Peds (a combination of the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics specialties) and looks forward to practicing as a primary care physician.

Galiza follows the ranks of previous JABSOM USPHS awardees including Kalei Hosaka (2020), Elisabeth Young (2018) and Brandyn Dunn (2014).

.

Galiza’s recognition is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) welcomed the first seven students of the Class of 2024—the 2020 graduates of the . The graduates celebrated their completion of the program in early June.

ʻImi Hoʻōla (Hawaiian for “those who seek to heal”) is a 12-month post-baccalaureate program in JABSOM’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health designed to provide educational opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in medicine and are deemed capable of succeeding in medical school.

Melia Takakusagi from ʻEleʻele, Kauaʻi grew up with family members who suffered from cancer, diabetes and heart issues. She desired to become a doctor in high school to improve the lives of others. “ʻImi is challenging academically and has made me grow so much as an individual, and as classmates, we are exposed to each other’s experiences. I would recommend it to others,” she said.

The graduates

• Sarah Albrecht, a graduate of Konawaena High School, �鶹��ý Island, earned a BS in bioengineering at University of Washington.
• Joshua Ilustre, a graduate of George Washington High School in Chalan Pago, Guam, earned a BS in biology at the University of Portland.
• Collin Liang, a graduate from Roosevelt High School, Oʻahu, earned a BS in molecular cell biology from UH ����ԴDz�.
• Piueti Maka, a graduate from Punahou School on Oʻahu, earned a BA in biology from Pepperdine University.
• Peggy Su, a graduate from Moanalua High School, Oʻahu, earned a BS in microbiology and a masters in public health, from UH ����ԴDz�.
• Melia Takakusagi, a graduate from Waimea High School on Kauaʻi, earned a BS in cell and molecular biology from UH Hilo.
• Jennifer Wong, a graduate from Kapolei High School, Oʻahu, earned a BS in biology from the University of Washington.

The rest of their 2024 JABSOM classmates will join them in July and will likely look to them for insight as they delve into four years of long nights of studying, exams and bonding with each other as they pursue their dreams to become medical doctors.

.

student Joshua Villaro wanted to become a doctor but needed serious, specific academic advising on how to get into medical school. So, in 2017, he turned to the UH (PAC), which offers informational events and workshops like one on the at the (JABSOM).

It was the first time Villaro learned of ʻImi Hoʻōla, a 12-month post-baccalaureate program in the designed to provide educational opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds deemed capable of succeeding in medical school.

“The workshops were invaluable in providing me guidance for my medical school journey, as well as introducing me to the ʻImi Program,” said Villaro. “I am very grateful to PAC.”

Chalk up another success story for the center under the . PAC holds a series of pre-health and pre-law workshops every September and October at UH Mānoa, with events offered in collaboration with the . The events are intended to help college students and non-traditional applicants explore, prepare for and apply to schools in health fields like medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, and the law.

PAC’s services and workshops are open to the public.

“Before deciding if a career in law or health is right for them, we want students to learn about these fields and what it takes to be competitive for these types of schools,” said PAC Director Kiana Shiroma.

Upcoming workshops in pre-health are Pre-Medical Orientation, Practice for Your Interview and Health Professionals Panel, while those in pre-law include Applying to Law School, LSAT 101 and Financing Your Legal Education.

“These workshops will help attendees learn more about various fields and ensure that they are taking the correct prerequisite courses, as well as gaining valuable experience and honing skills that will help them prepare for a career in health or law,” said Shiroma. “These events will also help attendees prepare their best applications possible to enter professional schools,” said Shiroma. UH professional schools include JABSOM, William S. Richardson School of Law, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work’s Office of Public Health Studies and the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy on �鶹��ý Island.

Schedule an , call (808) 956-8646 for more info, or walk into the at Sinclair Library room 108.

.

The newest class at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) begins its studies in July. Nine of the students have completed a grueling year of medical courses, exams and countless small group sessions to earn their status as the first members accepted into the new MD class through the .

On June 13, the students celebrated finishing a yearlong medical school “boot camp” for aspiring physicians who come from disadvantaged or underserved communities. ʻImi Hoʻōla enrolls up to a dozen college graduates each year. After completion of the rigorous program, they earn admission into JABSOM.

“If I didn’t get into ʻImi I don’t know if I would’ve kept trying. I think this has provided me with the foundation that I need,” said Samuel “Kamuela” Andrade, a former lifeguard and firefighter from East Oʻahu.

The graduates:

• Krystyl Anderson (Okinawan) graduated from Pearl City High School and earned her BS in biology at UH ����ԴDz�.
• Samuel “Kamuela” Andrade (Hawaiian) graduated from Kamehameha Schools on Oʻahu and earned his BA in ethnic studies at UH ����ԴDz�.
• Bianca Calio (Filipino) graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy and earned her BS in biology at UH ����ԴDz�.
• James DeJesus (Hawaiian) attended Kamehameha Schools on Oʻahu and earned his BS in biochemistry from the University of Puget Sound.
• Weiming Du (Chinese) graduated from Zhongshan No. 1 Middle School and earned his BS in biology at UH ����ԴDz�.
• Bree Kaneakua (Hawaiian) attended Kamehameha Schools in Keaʻau and earned her BA in psychology from Creighton University.
• Jenna Maligro (Filipino) graduated from Mililani High School and earned her BS in molecular biology from UH ����ԴDz�.
• Tana Ramos (Chamorro) graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam and earned her BS in microbiology from the University of California San Diego.
• Sharon Wong (Vietnamese) graduated from Kaiser High School and earned her BA in biology from UH ����ԴDz�.

In 46 years, ʻImi Hoʻōla (Hawaiian for “those who seek to heal”) has produced 278 doctors, 80 percent of the practicing doctors provide primary care services. Native Hawaiians make up the largest part of the group at 35 percent, followed by Filipinos at 23 percent and 18 percent are Pacific Islanders coming from American Samoa, Guam, Palau and the Marshall Islands.

—By Deborah Manog Dimaya