JABSOM) welcomed 77 first-year medical students into its new curricular initiative, the Learning Community program. The anticipated positive impact of this pioneering medical education on health care delivery has resulted in the
HMSA Foundation adding to its initial support of the program, donating $5 million to establish the
HMSA Learning Innovations Endowment to support innovative medical education.
First-year medical students (Class of 2024).
The Learning Innovations Center within the Office of Medical Education at
JABSOM will continue to evolve medical training to meet the changing needs of Hawaiʻi’s health care system. The center will be named the
HMSA Learning Innovations Center in recognition of
Inc., and founding president of the Filipino Community Center, has made a generous gift of $250,000 to renovate and rename the Undergraduate Leadership Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business after Casamina. The Leadership Center will give students a professional space to meet, strategize and plan student-related activities. This gift is in addition to the Casaminas’ previous donation of $50,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for undergraduate students in 2012, which brings their lifelong gift value to $300,000.
“We are grateful for the Casaminas’ support of the Leadership Center,” Shidler College Dean
Vance Roley said. “This gift will go a long way in creating an engaging, inspiring and functional space to cultivate future leaders and will add significantly to the college’s mission to grow and foster excellence.”
SONDH) will lead Hawaiʻi in a nationwide initiative to improve oral health.
Deborah Mattheus has been selected as one of the first six Oral Health State Champions as part of the Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health (
MMC). The campaign is working with six pilot states to develop blueprints to rollout in other states, and aims to positively impact the oral health of 100 million mouths over the next 10 years. Hawaiʻi will serve as a model for future 100
MMC states.
CIPCOH chose Hawaiʻi to participate due to its oral health needs. About 60% of elementary school students in Hawaiʻi have experienced dental cavities, which is around 20% above the national average, according to
PDF), two of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Strategic Plan (
PDF), updated in December 2020.
Previously called the Hoku Scientific Microloan Fund, the program is made possible by a generous gift from Dustin Shindo, the co-founder of Hoku Scientific. The microloan program was revamped into an equity investment fund and named in honor of Calvin Shindo, Dustin’s father. Investments up to $5,000 are available per venture. A total of $25,000 per year will be awarded, with $133,000 available to be invested by the seed investment fund. Applications will be accepted beginning in April 2021.
“We are so pleased to have Dustin’s support to develop such an impactful, learning experience for our students,” said
Jonah Panoke
Some University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-athletes are gaining a broader perspective and deeper learning experience with a customized approach to their college degrees. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program (
ISP) allows students to work with several academic departments and develop their own degree and path to graduation. The program’s goal is to provide students with diverse ways of thinking and the knowledge and skills necessary for their future professional endeavors.
Erika Sanchez,
ISP coordinator and
MFAdance candidate, created a series of features highlighting student-athletes in spring 2021 to highlight the accomplishments of the students on and off the field. They explained how