{"id":235124,"date":"2026-05-27T15:49:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T01:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=235124"},"modified":"2026-05-29T15:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T01:04:37","slug":"waiakea-graduate-jabsom-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/27\/waiakea-graduate-jabsom-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Wai\u0101kea graduate becomes physician after JABSOM<\/abbr> journey"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Duke
Duke Escobar graduated with his MD<\/abbr> in spring 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Wai\u0101kea High School graduate is now a physician after completing his medical training in May at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>), a journey shaped by his Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island roots, early classroom curiosity, and a commitment to returning home to serve.<\/p>\n

Duke Escobar has been described by teachers and peers as approachable, trustworthy and easy to connect with.<\/p>\n

“You wish you had a full class of Dukes,” one educator said, noting his friendliness and ability to relate to both younger and older people.<\/p>\n

Despite his accomplishments, Escobar often returns to a phrase that reflects his perspective growing up: “just a kid from Wai\u0101kea.” The sentiment speaks to his humility as a first-generation college student raised in a close-knit Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island community.<\/p>\n

Early inspiration<\/h2>\n

His interest in medicine began at Wai\u0101kea High School, where a health academy course introduced him to medical problem-solving through activities such as diagnosing cases from the television show House. A teacher recalled his curiosity and enthusiasm in class.<\/p>\n

\"escobar
Duke Escobar with his parents.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Escobar went on to study cell and molecular biology at UH<\/abbr> Hilo<\/a> before completing research gap years at Stanford University and the University of Washington. He was later accepted to JABSOM<\/abbr> after years of preparation and persistence.<\/p>\n

At medical school, he joined the School Health Education Program, helping bring medical learning into local classrooms. He said working with students came naturally.<\/p>\n

“Maybe it\u2019s like the same level of maturity, but we get along quite well,” he said.<\/p>\n

Serving his community<\/h2>\n

Escobar also discovered his interest in pediatrics, drawn to working with children and building connections through humor and trust. He matched into a pediatrics residency and will continue training in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n

“I always kind of felt like I needed more of a human connection, and I felt like being a physician is where I could find that,” he said.<\/p>\n

Escobar plans to return to Hilo to serve the community that raised him and hopes to inspire Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island students to pursue careers in medicine.<\/p>\n

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