{"id":223629,"date":"2025-10-14T11:54:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T21:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=223629"},"modified":"2025-10-14T12:03:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T22:03:01","slug":"jabsom-60th-anniversary-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/14\/jabsom-60th-anniversary-event\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> medical school celebrates 60 years of healing in Hawai\u02bbi"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"students
Second-year medical students perform a hula at the 60th anniversary celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sixty years after welcoming its first class, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa\u2019s John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>) continues to shape the future of health care in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, training generations of doctors grounded in science, service and aloha.<\/p>\n

\"Sam
Sam Shomaker and Wendy Hensel at the 60th anniversary event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To mark the milestone, more than 500 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners gathered at The Royal Hawaiian on October 11 for the celebration.<\/p>\n

Since opening its doors in 1965, JABSOM<\/abbr> has trained more than 3,000 doctors. Today, about half of all practicing physicians in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> are JABSOM<\/abbr> graduates or faculty members—underscoring the school\u2019s deep connection to the community it serves.<\/p>\n

JABSOM<\/abbr> Dean Sam Shomaker reflected on the school\u2019s remarkable growth and enduring sense of community.<\/p>\n

“When I was a medical student, we had around 60 students in a class. Now we\u2019re up to 77. Twenty–four hundred applicants apply for those 77 spots—so we\u2019re doing something right,” Shomaker said. “This medical school has grown out of the community, and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> is all about aloha. Our medical school is all about aloha.”<\/p>\n

Honoring excellence in medicine<\/h2>\n

The evening included the inaugural JABSOM<\/abbr> Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions in medicine and community health. Neal Palafox received the Hie Award<\/a> for his groundbreaking cancer and nuclear testing research in the Pacific. Reni Soon received the H\u014dk\u016bhoʻokelewaʻa<\/span> Award<\/a> for her leadership in reproductive rights and women\u2019s health advocacy.<\/p>\n

\"group
Neal Palafox (pictured at left of sign) was recognized with JABSOM’s inaugural Hie Award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s only medical school, JABSOM<\/abbr> continues to fulfill its mission to serve the entire state by expanding training opportunities across the islands. New residency programs are being established on the neighbor islands to strengthen local healthcare access.<\/p>\n

To capture the spirit of the school, JABSOM<\/abbr>\u2019s Media and Communications team debuted The Heart of JABSOM<\/abbr><\/em><\/a>, a video series highlighting the people and values that define the institution. Ryan Keliʻi<\/span> Shontell, Geri Young, Venkataraman Balaraman and Keolamau Yee were featured in short vignettes showcasing JABSOM<\/abbr>\u2019s locally focused research, rural education programs and the emphasis on delivering care with aloha.<\/p>\n

A celebration of aloha and legacy<\/h2>\n

The event also included a hula performance by second-year medical students Kaela Akina-Magnussen, Lincoln Hunt, Trini Leung, Aljay Carnate Jr., Karina Sharma, Kasey Emoto and Kalpana Balaraman, who danced to Ke Alaula<\/em> by the M\u0101kaha Sons.<\/p>\n

The evening concluded with a special performance by world–renowned musician Jake Shimabukuro<\/a>. Shimabukuro is married to Kelly Yamasato, a 2005 JABSOM<\/abbr> alumna and current OBGYN<\/abbr> faculty member.<\/p>\n

“The role of JABSOM<\/abbr> is so critical in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>,” UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel said. “The work they\u2019ve done touches everyone who lives here and reaches far beyond the islands. We\u2019re so proud to be part of JABSOM<\/abbr> at UH<\/abbr>, and I don\u2019t think there are any limits to where they can go next.”<\/p>\n

Read more at JABSOM<\/abbr>.<\/a><\/p>\n