Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

UH Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and UH �ᾱ����’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked UH Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“UH Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and �鶹��ý can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these UH News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the �鶹��ýlaw school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in �鶹��ý to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

UH Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

Kauilaonālani Tengan is inspired to encourage greater participation from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino communities in diabetes clinical trials to ensure research better reflects the populations most affected by the disease.

Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha.
—Kauilaonālani Tengan

He is translating that goal into practice through applied research. A master of science student in epidemiology at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� , Tengan was part of a study team at The Queen’s Health Systems (QHS) whose findings were published in in the study Exploring Diabetes Clinical Trial Participation: A Diverse Group Interview Study.

“I have a family history of cardiometabolic diseases and I remember visiting extended family who had to fly from Molokaʻi just to receive quality care here on Oʻahu,” he said. “This [experience] instilled in me a desire to learn more about health issues so prevalent in our islands and contribute to innovative solutions.”

Research findings and lessons learned

While at QHS, Tengan split his time between health equity research and clinical data management, utilizing electronic medical records to address research questions. He helped conduct interviews with 56 hospitalized patients to explore what motivates—or prevents—patients from joining diabetes clinical trials.

Although 84% expressed willingness to participate, most had never been asked. Barriers included mistrust, concerns about medication risks, and lack of understanding, while many Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants cited family and community benefit as key motivators.

“Engaging face-to-face with people in a clinical setting humanized health data for me,” Tengan said. “It reminded me that these are people, not statistics. I realized that my work has a lasting impact, so it is my responsibility to do things in a pono manner.”

Tengan hopes to carry these lessons forward. “Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha,” he said. “It is vital that we do work in an ethically and culturally nuanced way because there are real world impacts in the data that we publish.”

The study was part of an Food and Drug Administration-funded project at The Queenʻs Medical Center, in collaboration with the UH ����ԴDz� , and clinical partners. also found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants are consistently underrepresented in U.S. clinical trials.

“Kauilaonālani’s perspectives and real-life application from quantitative analyses are so important to building collective public health,” said Tetine Sentell, public health professor and study co-author.

October is American Pharmacists Month and the University of �鶹��ý at �ᾱ����’s (DKICP) is helping shine a light on the vital role pharmacists play in public health. The pharmacy school is now accepting applications for a new online degree program called PharmD-XO, designed for aspiring pharmacists who need flexibility.

The first cohort starts in January 2026. It is a track towards earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The program is built for working adults and off- island and out-of-state residents. Students can stay in their jobs and communities while earning the degree.

“As we address the physician shortage affecting rural communities nationwide, pharmacists trained to practice at the full scope of their license can provide vital healthcare services where they’re needed most,” said Rae Matsumoto, dean at DKICP.

Pharmacists fill critical healthcare gaps

The need is clear. National data show physician shortages are intensifying with 20% of Americans living in rural areas and only 10% of physicians practicing there. Nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists the most accessible healthcare providers.

The college recently earned an eight-year accreditation renewal from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Building on that momentum, the PharmD-XO program spans 5.5 years. Most learning happens online. Students come to Hilo once a year for a two- to four-week immersion during the first 4.5 years. Those visits focus on labs, team skills, and hands-on training. The final year is all clinical experience at pharmacy practice sites.

Learn more on the college’s website, email pharmacy@hawaii.edu, or call (808) 932-7704.

Five outstanding students at the were honored with 2025 Ka Lama Kū awards, recognizing leadership grounded in Native Hawaiian values.

Hosted by the UH Hilo , the April 15 ceremony honored students who are reflective of exemplary values such as alakaʻi (leadership), ʻike pāpālua (vision), kuleana (responsibility), laulima (collaboration) and mālama (care for others). A student committee selected this year’s recipients for their impact on campus and beyond.

Awardees

major Shayne Victor received the Alakaʻi Award for his role in the Student Activities Council and multiple student clubs. “Shayne has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an exemplary leader who inspires and empowers those around him,” wrote nominator Kamalani Poepoe.

Hayden Niles, a major from South Dakota, was honored with the ʻIke Pāpālua Award for his vision and community service. “[Hayden] has given over 500 hours of time in our �鶹��ý Island community over his years here,” said Julie Mowrer, acting director of the Center for Community Engagement.

Tavan Nakamura, a sophomore major, received the Kuleana Award for his dependability and problem-solving skills in UH �ᾱ����’s career services. “Tavan consistently seeks new ways for us to do things better, explores new processes and is able to share his vision effectively,” said Marcy Martinez, director of Career Services.

Gemmy Alegre, a student and student senator, earned the Laulima Award. “Her goal is to create a supportive academic environment that promotes collaboration, well-being,” said Lara Gomez, associate dean for Academic Affairs at UH Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.

Kamalani Poepoe received the Mālama Award for her commitment to research, mentorship and cultural stewardship. A major minoring in , Poepoe’s work spans volcano research, Indigenous science, and even NASA’s Artemis mission. “Kamalani has consistently demonstrated the qualities of leading by example,” wrote nominator Shayne Victor.

The Ka Lama Kū Awards continue to celebrate UH Hilo leaders who walk with kuleana and light the path for others.

—By Susan Enright

The and the (JABSOM) have partnered to launch Ka ʻUmeke Lama (Hawaiian for “Bowl of Enlightenment”), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming cancer care in �鶹��ý and the Pacific. The effort focuses on reducing cancer disparities through cutting-edge research, workforce development, and culturally informed practices.

“The mission of Ka ʻUmeke Lama is to provide equitable access to high-quality cancer care throughout �鶹��ý and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands by developing a strong and integrated oncology infrastructure,” said UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno. “We will help cancer-related healthcare providers to work together to address complex issues in the �鶹��ý and the Pacific. Our vision is a future where cancer care is accessible, equitable, and rooted in both scientific innovation and cultural understanding. Everyone should have access to high-quality cancer care, regardless of their background or geography.”

The effort is a collaboration with �鶹��ý Cancer Consortium members, including The Queen’s Health Systems and �鶹��ý Pacific Health.

Key elements of Ka ʻUmeke Lama include:

• Oncologic Education and Workforce Development: Establishing a medical oncology fellowship program, integrating statewide oncology curricula, and providing cultural competence training for healthcare providers.
• Addressing Health Disparities: Expanding early cancer detection units, deploying oncology providers to underserved areas, enhancing telehealth systems, and launching targeted clinical trials for high-risk populations.
• Enhancing Clinical Research: Increasing clinical trial participation in diverse communities, developing a centralized clinical research database, and incorporating AI-based tools for cancer care.

�鶹��ý and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands face significant challenges, including high cancer rates among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Filipinos, coupled with a shortage of oncology professionals, particularly in rural and remote areas. Native Hawaiians have the highest cancer mortality rate in �鶹��ý, and certain Pacific Islander groups experience disproportionately high rates of liver cancer. With an aging population—nearly 30% of �鶹��ý residents will be 65 or older by 2030—the demand for comprehensive cancer care is expected to grow.

“Ka ʻUmeke Lama embodies our commitment to fostering science, equity, and cultural wisdom in oncology care,” said Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, associate dean for academic affairs, who co-leads the initative with Ueno. “By strengthening and expanding the existing partnerships between the UH Cancer Center, JABSOM, and the health system partners of the �鶹��ý Cancer Consortium; and leveraging JABSOM’s expertise in education, integrating education and research into clinical learning environments, extensive pathway programs from middle school to college, collaborations with the UH schools of nursing, pharmacy, social work and public health and UH community colleges, and large infrastructure grants that help grow the next generation of researchers in partnership with communities; we will be able to more effectively address our community’s needs, and create a distributed model of education, research, and clinical care that will serve patients throughout �鶹��ý and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.”

Ka ʻUmeke Lama integrates science, equity and cultural understanding to provide a unified approach to cancer care, offering hope for a future where no one is left behind in the fight against cancer.

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Professor Deborah Taira is a health economist at the University of �鶹��ý at �ᾱ����’s and has extensive experience studying health equity issues for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The professor conducts in-depth research on health disparities that impact AANHPI populations and wants to improve access to clinical trials.

As the country commemorates AANHPI Heritage Month, the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity spotlighted Taira’s expertise in a . She revealed that even though national statistics identify �鶹��ý has the highest life expectancy of any state in the U.S., there are still huge health disparities.

“Unfortunately, Native Hawaiians live about 11 years less than Chinese in �鶹��ý,” Taira said. “That’s a huge disparity, and I just feel like that should not exist now, not in our state of �鶹��ý. And so, I’m passionate about trying to do what I can to correct that.”

A legacy of research

Taira has published more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts related to health disparities, cost and health outcomes Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face. Her interest in studying health disparity started long ago with her mother, a professor of nursing who made house calls in elderly housing projects.

“I remember she brought me along with her. And she said, ‘You can learn more in 5 minutes when you go into these people’s homes. And you see in their fridge they don’t have any food or the place is filthy or whatever. You learn more about what can help the patient by actually getting to know their life circumstances,’” Taira explained.

Along with health disparities, Taira’s research also focuses on medication adherence and cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular interventions. She has worked at the Health Institute at the New England Medical Center examining outcomes from the patient perspective and spent 10 years working at �鶹��ý Medical Service Association analyzing large administrative datasets, including cost and lab data.

Two members of the Dagdag family will participate in ’s commencement ceremonies on May 9. Seanna-Victoria and her father Frederick have earned associate in arts degrees in liberal arts. In addition, Seanna-Victoria’s sister and Frederick’s daughter Landyn-Angelie, an early college student and Maui High School (MHS) class of 2024 graduating student, has earned her nursing assistant certification.

The learning legacy at UH Maui College spans two generations in a family of nurses, two degrees and multiple program certificates.

Seanna-Victoria Dagdag, daughter

“Seanna-Victoria, a 2022 MHS graduate, crossed my path during our high school outreach for fall registration when she was a senior. She expressed her ambition to become a pharmacist, and her dedication was evident in her academic achievements,” said Eri Nomura, UH Maui College academic counselor. “Following graduation, she seized the opportunity to obtain the pharmacy tech certification during the summer. This experience, I believe, led her to reconsider her career path, ultimately deciding to pursue nursing.”

Since earning her certified pharmacy technician national certification in spring 2022, Seanna-Victoria has been working at a CVS Pharmacy at Target. After graduating with her associate’s degree, she will complete her prerequisites and plans to apply for the UH Maui College nursing program in January 2025.

“Walking across the stage with my father beside me fills me with profound gratitude for his guidance, unwavering support, and countless lessons. His pursuit of education showcases his commitment to continuous learning. Graduating together is more than receiving diplomas; it’s about celebrating our shared journey and the endless possibilities ahead,” said Seanna-Victoria. “The University of �鶹��ý Maui College has been pivotal in my academic growth, expanding my horizons and nurturing my personal development. Faculty dedication guided me, instilling purpose and pride, emphasizing that learning never ceases. I’m immensely grateful for the university’s role in shaping who I am today, laying the foundation for a lifetime of growth and discovery.”

Frederick Dagdag, father

Frederick completed his associate’s degree in liberal arts in fall 2023. He accepted an automatic admission offer, and is on track to earn his bachelor’s degree through UH West Oʻahu as a public administration, health care administration major. Previously, he graduated from the licensed practical nursing program and completed his certificate in competence in information security through Good Jobs �鶹��ý.

“I reflect on the semesters of determination and dedication as I graduate from Maui College with an associate degree in liberal arts and a CO in information security. Returning to school to continue my education alongside my daughter, I feel a deep sense of personal accomplishment. This milestone is not only about academic achievement, but also about resilience and the pursuit of lifelong learning,“ Frederick said.

“Maui College has given me the opportunity to earn an education while being close to home. In addition, UH Maui has provided me with numerous resources and a supportive community that have helped me, and countless others, to move forward in our educational accomplishments.”

Check out more stories of our UH spring graduates

Frederick added, “Sharing this moment with my daughter, who is also earning her associate degree in liberal arts, adds an extra sense of pride and joy. As we both step onto the stage together, we represent the spirit of determination and the belief that learning is a journey with no age limits.”

—By Valerie Matsunaga

Twelve students and alumni from the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) have successfully secured positions in postgraduate residency programs across the country through a rigorous national process. Facilitated by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the annual event, dubbed Match Day, orchestrates the placement of qualified candidates into coveted postgraduate year one (PGY1) or postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs at various hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide.

“We are very pleased that 86% of our students matched in this highly competitive process,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto. “That’s a high percentage, reflecting the quality of our students and their achievements in academics, service and scholarship over their four-year career here at the DKICP and beyond. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I congratulate them for their incredible efforts.”

Students and graduates will begin their respective PGY1 work this summer.

Residency matches

PGY1

• Carly Bell—VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Reno, Nevada
• Brennan Buccat—MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, Tacoma, Washington
• Trang Bui—Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
• Dyani Chock—The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Sean Domingo—University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Olatunji Gbadebo—Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota
• Chase Ibia—Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Teva Kealoha Meyer—The Queen’s Health System, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Jane Lakritz—Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California
• Skye Pyo—Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Tacoma, Washington
• Megan Woolsey—VA Pacific Islands HCS, Honolulu, �鶹��ý

PGY2

• 2023 DKICP graduate Chrystal Cardoza—Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) and have forged a partnership to enhance the training of pharmacy technician students, which responds to the growing demand across the state to fill these positions.

DKICP faculty will teach UH Maui College students, both in-person and online, preparing them for a national immunization certification exam. The certification verifies an individual has completed the necessary training and met the requirements to administer immunizations.

“For pharmacy technicians to get immunization certification is a gold standard that our faculty involvement can help provide for students in this UH Maui College program,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto.

Under this innovative alliance, students in UH Maui College’s pharmacy technician program will gain the opportunity to complete coursework and critical credentials.

“This additional level of training allows our graduates to perform at the top of their profession,” said UH Maui College pharmacy technician instructor Valerie Matsunaga, “We saw how important these skills are during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Workforce development

UH Maui College has offered the Pharmacy Technician Immersion degree program since 2008. In fall 2023, a career skills lab funded in partnership with CVS Health and designed like a real Longs Drugs pharmacy opened on the Maui campus. The workforce development initiative continues to provide hands-on skills training for students throughout its 15-week program.

• Related UH News story: Apprenticeship trailblazer: UH Maui College pharmacy technician graduate, December 19, 2023

UH Maui College and DKICP have an articulation program so students in continuing education on the Maui campus can continue on at the Hilo campus.

Three Molokai Drugs employees earned national certification as pharmacy technicians ( CPhT), thanks to free training provided by , a partnership among the , employers and organizations that want to help �鶹��ý residents attain good quality jobs.

By earning the CPhT credential, pharmacy technicians demonstrate their knowledge and commitment in medication safety and effective patient care across pharmacy settings. Cynthia Rawlins is among the newly certified pharmacy technicians. She prepared for the CPhT exam on the weekends and in the evenings—after working a full-time job at Molokai Drugs.

“Thank you to the University of �鶹��ý Community Colleges and Good Jobs �鶹��ý for giving me this opportunity,” said Rawlins. “I was able to coordinate my certified pharmacy technician classes while balancing my family life as a wife and a mother and working full-time. I am especially appreciative of the encouragement from my husband, Walter ‘Braj’ Rawlins, Jr. He has been very supportive of my career goals and aspirations.”

Read more about Good Jobs �鶹��ý

Good Jobs �鶹��ý provided tuition, fees, books, online classes, onsite training at Molokaʻi Drugs, exam fees and travel to Maui for the CPhT exam. Along with Rawlins, two other Molokai Drugs employees—Precious Asuncion and Tyra-Lynn Mollena-Lopez—became nationally certified pharmacy technicians in fall 2023 through Good Jobs �鶹��ý.

“We encourage �鶹��ý companies to partner with the University of �鶹��ý community colleges to provide ‘upskilling’ for our workforce,” said Kimberly Mikami Svetin, Molokai Drugs president. “At little or no cost to the employer, Good Jobs �鶹��ý has helped a number of our Molokai Drugs staff garner valuable skills and training. Our employees were able to continue their education on Molokaʻi via synchronous classes and support from their professors at the University of �鶹��ý Maui College.”

Two more Molokai Drugs employees are taking the pharmacy technician class this spring.

Good Jobs �鶹��ý offers free skills training in �鶹��ý’s high-demand sectors including healthcare, technology, clean energy/skilled trades and creative industries that can lead to pathways for better-paying jobs and accelerate careers.

Three student pharmacists at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo are conducting research to combat antimicrobial resistance, which has become a global public health threat in recent years. UH Hilo second-year students Alyssa Kam, Yang Xu and Chae Min Lee are working under the supervision of Professors Leng Chee Chang and Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit to synthesize silver nanoparticles using extract from Physalis peruviana (locally known as poha berry), and evaluate its antibacterial activity.

“Our research focuses on safely, efficiently and economically translating new therapeutic agents from natural products,” said Wongwiwatthananukit. “Application of nanotechnology in pharmacy (nanopharmacy) enhances the bench-to-bedside approach to patient care.”

The students at the UH ����ԴDz� John A. Burns School of Medicine held April 21 at the UH Cancer Center. Their work has also been accepted for a poster presentation at the annual research symposium, which includes academic and student researchers from around the state.

“Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics are the main factors leading to antimicrobial resistance,” explained Kam. “That’s why it’s important to identify alternative compounds with antimicrobial activity, especially plant-based compounds.”

Undetectable by the human eye, a nanoparticle is a particle of matter between 1 and 100 nanometers in diameter. Silver is widely used for nanoparticles as an innovative method of drug delivery.

“Our research results showed the synthesized silver nanoparticles using the Physalis peruviana extract demonstrated good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative E. coli and one of the Gram-positive Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus bacteria strains that we tested, both which exist here in �鶹��ý,” said Chang. “The next step is to determine the optimal and functional nanoparticle sizes that also have good stability properties.”

Nanoparticles research is a growing segment within the field of nanomedicine, which makes it a very relevant topic in pharmacy curricula, according to Chang. Currently there are more than 50 nanomedicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Offering a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum based on emerging pharmaceutical and clinical science applications is significant,” explained Chang. “It is important to give our students this opportunity to learn about nanoparticles and nanomedicine through research electives, including the course Special Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences Research/Lab.”

For more, visit the UH Hilo .

Eleven students of the (DKICP) were recently matched to postgraduate residency programs in a competitive national process. Organized through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the annual event known as Match Day helps qualified students obtain positions in either postgraduate year one (PGY1) or postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs of their choice at hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country.

In the results of Round 1 matches, announced March 16, 2023, 50% of DKICP’s PGY1 applicants were matched and 75% of the PGY2 applicants were matched.

“Residency match is a highly competitive process and occurs in two rounds, with Round 2 results to be announced in mid-April,” said Interim Dean Miriam Mobley Smith. “These impressive Round 1 results demonstrate the highest quality of these students’ academics, service and scholarship over their four-year career here at DKICP. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I congratulate them for their incredible efforts.”

Round 1 residency matches include:

PGY1

• Chrystal Cardoza—Norman Regional Health System, Norman, Oklahoma
• Caroline DuMoulin—St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, New York
• May Ann Vincente Hudgins—The Queen’s Health System — QCIPN/POB Pharmacy, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Analeslie Martinez—Indian Health Service — Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, Crow Agency Reservation, Montana
• Stephanie Mojumdar—Swedish Hospital — NorthShore, Chicago, Illinois
• Matthew Neumann—Mayo Clinic Health System — Albert Lea-Austin, Austin, Minnesota
• Kalen Niimi—The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Nadra Nour—University Hospitals — UH Meds, Parma, Ohio

PGY2

• Raha Hosseini—UW Medicine/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (oncology), Seattle, Washington
• Tiffany Lam—VA Medical Center (ambulatory care), Boise, Idaho
• Donald Waddell—University of Chicago Medicine (oncology), Chicago, Illinois

A $333,000 federal grant to develop a statewide infrastructure that identifies and works to correct existing health disparities in medication use among �鶹��ý’s Indigenous populations has been awarded to faculty at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP). The grant is through the Minority Research Grant Program of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“The goal is to develop a brief screening tool that can be used by pharmacists to better address potential medication adherence barriers in these patients when treating chronic disease,” said Wesley Sumida, an associate professor at UH �ᾱ����’s pharmacy college. “We will be utilizing these results in our work funded by this new grant.”

Sumida is co-investigator of the new project, along with Karen Pellegrin, director of continuing and distance education and strategic planning at DKICP.

“In a previous research project funded by the CMS Innovation Center, called the Pharm2Pharm project, we demonstrated that pharmacists are essential to achieving higher quality, lower cost care in �鶹��ý,” explained Pellegrin.

Research compiled by Sumida through the UH or PIKO seeks to understand critical factors related to medication non-adherence in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island patients with diabetes and heart disease. The research team aims to incorporate his findings into the newly funded project.

UH is one of three minority-serving institutions receiving a CMS OMH grant, which is awarded to help advance health equity affecting racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, individuals with limited English proficiency, those residing in rural areas, and those adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

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Three University of �鶹��ý PhD candidates are recipients of a national fellowship aimed to tackle barriers women face in education. UH �ᾱ����’s Sasha Nealand (Kovacs), and UH ����ԴDz�’s Valentina Alvarez and Hannah El-Silimy were each awarded $20,000 to pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls from the (AAUW).

Nealand (Kovacs), a PhD candidate in pharmaceutical sciences at UH �ᾱ����’s , is pursuing dissertation research focused on the separation, isolation, structure elucidation (process of determining the chemical structure of a compound) and antimicrobial activity of medicinal compounds from a local medicinal plant called the coast gumplant (Grindelia stricta platyphylla) from her hometown in Half Moon Bay, California. This plant has traditionally been used to reduce inflammations and treat respiratory ailments. It produces a resinous gum that is rich in terpenes (compounds responsible for the way most plants smell), which are the medicinal compounds that Nealand (Kovacs) is investigating. She is expected to complete her dissertation research and graduate in June 2023.

“I was extremely pleased and proud that AAUW chose to support my dissertation research,” Nealand (Kovacs) said. “The chance for full-time graduate study and research has been a lifelong dream. I had been struggling to fund my studies for several years, through various part-time jobs and scholarships. This very generous fellowship has given me the opportunity to fully concentrate on research and finally complete my dissertation.”

Alvarez, a PhD candidate in biology in UH ����ԴDz�’s , is pursuing dissertation research on several species of lizard that have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands at different time points in history and through different means. Alvarez uses genetic data to unravel where these species originated, when they arrived and whether they are spreading from �鶹��ý to other parts of the world. She is expected to graduate in summer 2023.

“I am thankful to the AAUW for the work that they do in providing women with opportunities they would otherwise not have,” Alvarez said. “By raising women up, they are helping to level the playing field so that this commonly disadvantaged group can strive to achieve their goals.”

El-Silimy, a PhD candidate in political science and Indigenous politics in UH ����ԴDz�’s , is pursuing dissertation research focused on how Indigenous women activists in Northern Thailand and the Thai-Burma border region are leading efforts for healing, solidarity and empowerment for themselves and their communities. Her research is being conducted in partnership with Indigenous women’s networks based in Chiang Mai, and utilizes participatory, Indigenous feminist and feminist ethnographic research methods. In addition, El-Silimy is participating in a collaborative, community-based research project that will produce mixed media forms of storytelling as well as a research report about Indigenous women’s lives in Thailand and Burma after the military coup.

“I was very honored and appreciative to receive this dissertation fellowship. The funds will be invaluable for me to complete the final stages of my PhD studies and write my dissertation!” El-Silimy said. “I would like to encourage other women doctoral students at the University of �鶹��ý to apply for AAUW funding—it’s a great opportunity to get support in your final year of dissertation writing.”

Applications for AAUW’s fellowship and grants open annually on August 1, and deadlines vary by program. .

—By Marc Arakaki

A new pharmacist position was recently created within the State of �鶹��ý Department of Health (DOH) with the support of faculty at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) to broaden the role of pharmacy in safeguarding community health.

In February 2022, the agency hired Garrett Hino, a DKICP graduate and one of only two board-certified infectious disease pharmacists in the state. Hino will focus on promoting antimicrobial stewardship that includes appropriate use of antibiotics.

“Experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic magnified the need for strengthening DOH capacity to address emerging infectious diseases, such as healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance,” explained Enid Vélez-Valle, an epidemiologist at DOH’s Disease Outbreak Control Division. “Our focus is to prioritize patient safety and quality improvement through direct engagement with �鶹��ý’s healthcare facilities, such as acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.”

Public health pipeline

Since 2016, DKICP has supported the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs in the state by providing technical assistance and education for participating healthcare facilities.

“In this new position, I’m part of a DOH team working to establish a relationship with the staff at long-term care facilities and acute care hospitals around the state,” Hino said. ”Our goals are to optimize antimicrobial stewardship practices through better education, and to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance that can occur from inappropriate antibiotic use. I’m really happy to be able to work in my home state and serve our local communities.”

Hino completed a BS in biology at �鶹��ýHilo and graduated from DKICP in 2018. He was selected for a one-year residency at the college, and then went on to complete a two-year infectious disease fellowship at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California in 2021.

“The college has a long history working with the DOH on antimicrobial stewardship and COVID response, and we assisted in the development of a proposal to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] for this new position,” explained Roy Goo, DKICP associate professor and chair of the department of pharmacy practice. “This new position is a result of our work and demonstration of the value of pharmacists in public health.”

According to Goo, the pharmacy school will continue providing oversight, strategic guidance and assistance in defining the scope of this role.

March marks “match madness” month at University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) when graduating or recently graduated students applying for post-graduate programs receive first-round results from medical and educational institutions across the country. Fourteen DKICP students were selected and accepted invitations from participating programs.

This year’s round one results produced a strong showing for DKICP, with 50% of post-graduate year-one applicants matched, and two out of three post-graduate year-two applicants matched in the first round.

“These impressive results demonstrate the highest quality of these students’ academics, service and scholarship over their four-year career here,” said Miriam Mobley Smith, DKICP interim dean. “On behalf of the DKICP faculty and staff, we congratulate them all. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”

DKICP students offered postgraduate year-one residency

• Emmanuel Anozie, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis, Oregon
• Paige Cajudoy, VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics, White City, Oregon
• Roanne Deabler, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Tiana Enos-Dano, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
• Ashely Fukuchi, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, Loma Linda, California
• Yan Yee Ho, MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Auburn, Washington
• Raha Hosseini, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
• Tiffany Lam, Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona
• Danh Ronald Nguyen, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Trisha Nobriga, Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington
• Yun Soo Park, The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, �鶹��ý
• Patricia Stevens, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu, �鶹��ý

DKICP students offered postgraduate year-two residency

• Noelle Lovesy, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Christian Macaspac, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, Maryland

Lifestyle changes can be critical to preventing the onset of diabetes, everything from modifying diet to minimizing stress levels. The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) is launching a free year-long program for prediabetic residents on �鶹��ý Island to help foster practical change.

“This program was developed based on research done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Aryn Meguro, an assistant professor at DKICP. “Its goal is to help people who are prediabetic, or those who think they might be, to learn how to choose healthier foods, better manage stress and to incorporate exercise into their lives. Often, people need help to do that, and that’s what we, as lifestyle coaches, can provide. Other program participants can also be important sources of support.”

Meguro and Bryce Fukunaga, an assistant professor at DKICP will facilitate the program. Both are practicing pharmacists and lifestyle coaches certified through the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

The public is invited to an informational meeting on Monday, March 21, at 4 p.m. inside the pharmacy school’s Hale Kīhoʻihoʻi, Classroom A. Interested participants can or email: arynm@hawaii.edu. A prediabetes risk test will be administered at the March 21 meeting, which will determine whether interested participants are eligible for the program.

According to Fukunaga, the first six months of the program will be the most intense.

“We start with weekly in-person meetings to provide information and lay the groundwork for making lifestyle changes,” he explained. “Because weight loss is important in improving overall health of people with prediabetes, a program goal for participants is to lose 5% to 7% of their body weight in that first six months. In the second half of the program, we transition to meeting monthly and helping participants learn how to maintain healthier habits.”

Attendees will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or a negative test result.

The will welcome an interim dean to its pharmacy college on February 1. Veteran pharmacy academic Miriam Mobley Smith will officially step into the role at the UH Hilo (DKICP) replacing Dean Carolyn Ma who is retiring this spring.

“This is a pivotal time for the future of DKICP, and it is imperative that we have an experienced administrator at the helm, even in the interim period,” said Kris Roney, UH Hilo vice chancellor for academic affairs. “She has expressed considerable excitement about DKICP and is already contemplating spaces for revenue generation, budget correction and pathways into DKICP that we may not yet have explored fully.”

Mobley Smith earned her doctor of pharmacy with high honors at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she served in numerous faculty positions for more than 13 years. At Chicago State University, she held multiple roles within the pharmacy department, such as associate professor and dean until her retirement in 2015. She has continued her long-standing work with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as an educational consultant and site reviewer.

Established in 2006, DKICP admitted its inaugural class in 2007, and is the only pharmacy college in the Pacific Rim.

The search for a permanent dean for the college is expected to commence in late summer.

First-year students took the Oath of a Pharmacist as part of the annual University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (DKICP) White Coat Ceremony, held Sunday, October 17.

The ceremony signifies the rite of passage for students entering their first year in the professional program to affirm their commitment to the values of their profession, including professionalism, respect, integrity and compassion.

Attendance inside UH �ᾱ����’s Hale Kihoʻihoʻi was limited to pharmacy students and a small number of faculty and staff. Family and friends were able to .

Students were addressed by DKICP Dean Carolyn Ma, who shared her own personal story of growing up on Oʻahu and the emphasis her parents put on education in achieving personal goals. Ma stressed to students the importance of commitment to their new profession, challenges ahead and their commitment to helping maintain the health and wellbeing of others.

Rear Admiral (ret.) Pamela Schweitzer served as a keynote speaker at the induction ceremony. From 2014 to 2018, Schweitzer was the U.S. assistant surgeon general and 10th chief pharmacist officer of the U.S. Public Health Service.

“Pharmacists are now playing such a critical role during the pandemic by providing COVID testing and vaccine administration, and by ensuring uninterrupted delivery of routine pharmacy services,” Schweitzer said during her address. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a game-changer for our profession, and you’re coming into it as this transformation comes to a peak.”

Schweitzer also encouraged students to help their family members in maneuvering through the healthcare system. “Everyone needs a healthcare advocate and you will become experts at this. COVID-19 has brought to the forefront the importance of having strong healthcare infrastructures in our communities. Many of you will be part of improving that infrastructure for years to come.”

Following the ceremony, a drive-by celebration was held for students on Aohōkū Street. The Class of 2025 includes many students from within the state of �鶹��ý, the Continental U.S., American Sāmoa, Puerto Rico and South Korea.

Rat lungworm is a disease that has sickened nearly 100 people on �鶹��ý Island throughout the past decade and is caused by a parasitic nematode (a kind of worm) found in the pulmonary arteries of rats. It is commonly transmitted to humans when parasite eggs in rat feces are eaten by snails or slugs, which are accidentally ingested by humans through unwashed produce or in water.

In an effort to increase public awareness of rat lungworm disease, and minimize risks of contracting it, a pharmaceutical sciences professor from the spearheaded publishing layperson friendly research and an informational video.

“Research on ways to reduce human risk of infection is also critical, including mechanisms and tools to better educate the public,” said Professor Susan Jarvi, of UH �ᾱ����’s . “That’s why we felt it was important to share the results of these scientific studies with the general population in a less technical, more accessible format.”

The 40-page publication is available in a reader-friendly format in featuring a variety of topics related to the disease.

Jarvi’s latest publication is the result of research summarized by scientists from eight countries who presented their findings at the 6th International Workshop on Angiostrongylus and Angiostrongyliasis in Hilo in January 2020. According to Jarvi, who also serves as head of the �鶹��ý Island Rat Lungworm Working Group, international workshops held every two to three years are crucial for advancing research and knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment. The events also help hone in on research relating to infection and transmission levels in humans, and the expanding range of infection in non-human species.

Online program available

UH Hilo is currently offering an online education program on rat lungworm disease prevention. Jarvi and researcher Kay Howe lead a course on the parasite’s life cycle and how to reduce risk of infection. The course is available to the public and also includes continuing education credits for healthcare professionals. Learn more about the program at the .

• Related �鶹��ýNews stories:
  • Environmental factors, species influence rat lungworm infection in snails, February 26, 2021
  • Rat lungworm treatment guidelines updated, February 9, 2021
  • New preliminary rat lungworm treatment guidelines, August 31, 2018