Hammar, S L

eVols at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Medical School HotlineThe John A. Burns School of MedicineTodaySherrel L. Hammar, M.D.Interim DeanThe John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), University of Hawaiiat Manoa, has received much attention this year. The very existence of theMedical School has been challenged. The continual threats and rumors ofclosure, acute lack of funding and negative publicity from the media andlocal critics have been demoralizing and have affected recruitment of apermanent Dean.However, the overwhelming support from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Coalition for Health, Friends of the Medical School, hospitals,alumni, students and faculty has been impressive and gratifying. Theresponse and resolve of supporters from many sectors and groups in theState have bonded the faculty, students, alumni, and community supporterstogether. Morale at the School is high. There is much activity going on butmuch work is still to be done. Regular meetings between the support groupsand the Dean’s office are ongoing to coordinate campaign strategies and toplan public relations, political activities, lobbying efforts, and fund raising.The good news is that the Liaison Committee on Medical Education(LCME) has reaffirmed the accreditation of the School until the year 2002.The Committee continues to raise concerns regarding the limited fundingand financial stability of the School. The Problem-based Learning (PBL)curriculum, however, received very positive comments. The improvementsand continual refinements of the program were recognized. The students’performances in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) supported the success ofour PBL curriculum.All of the School’s 13 residency and fellowship programs for physicianswere accredited by their national Residency Review Committees. TheAccreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recentlyreviewed the School’s graduate medical education programs and fullaccreditation is expected.A new building for Dr. Ryuzo Yanagimachi’s cloning research has beenapproved and funded. Construction is expected to begin to house theHonolulu Institute of Biogenesis Research within the School of Medicine.Recruitment is currently underway to fill the newly created position ofAssociate Dean for Business and Hospital Affairs. This individual willassist with the School’s long range financial planning and relationships withour affiliate hospitals.Several retirements have occurred and replacements will be recruited.The Department of Cell Molecular Biology (formerly named the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology) will coordinate the Cell Molecular Biology and Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs. A search for achairperson to head this interdisciplinary department will begin. Plans forcollaborating with our community hospitals and partnering with community resources and facilities are being developed.In a few weeks, the Class of 2003 will enter its first year. These 62students are impressive by their credentials and by their diversity. The classwill be formally welcomed into the medical community by the JABSOMClass of 1978 at the White Coat Ceremony on Friday, August 6, 1999.In spite of troubling times, JABSOM is weathering the storms andcontinues to prepare for a bright future with the support of the Hawaiicommunity. The following are some key issues and facts about JABSOM.Impact on students: -• The major purpose of the medical school is to provide an opportunity fora medical education previously unavailable to residents of Hawai’i andother Pacific islands.• Since 1975, 145 Hawaiians, 32 Guamanians, 80 Filipinos, 14 Samoansand 14 Micronesians have their received MD’s from JAB SOM.Impact on health care:• The major emphasis of the medical school is to train students to a highlevel of competence as primary care physicians with the goal of improvinghealth care in Raw ai’i and the Pacific Area.• The presence of a medical school improves the overall quality of healthcare in a community, and this is recognized by our practicing physicians,93% of whom, a recent poll by the Hawai’i Medical Association opposedclosure of the medical school.• Continuing medical education, which enables practicing physicians tokeep abreast of the latest techniques and standards of care, is providedprimarily by medical school faculty.• Clinical expertise to support tertiary care in major hospitals are providedby physicians affiliated with the school of medicine• Outreach training, especially to rural and outer-island facilities is donealmost exclusively by faculty and programs affiliated with the medicalschool• The majority of in-hospital care of patients is provided by residents intraining programs, which are all under the auspices of the medical school• Research and improvements in health care requires dedicated individualsto identify problems in the community, develop and test hypotheses, andeventually devise solutions to improve care, all of which is a vital part of theeducational programs here at the school of medicine and a primary obligation of the facultyImpact on the community:• Making a medical education more accessible to residents of the Stateensures that all ethnic and socioeconomic groups are represented in themedical profession.• Local people appreciate being cared for by local physicians who have anappreciation not only of their diverse cultures but their unique healthcareneeds as well, As an example, the late Nadine Kahanamoku left the bulk ofher estate to the medical school to provide scholarships for students becauseshe appreciated having ‘local kids’ take care of her while she was hospitalized.• Training students in the community and exposing them to communityprograms and resources increases the likelihood they will return to practicein those areas.• Community service is ingrained in JABSOM students who are eager togive back to the community, and highly recognized and rewarded by theinstitution which sends the message that altruism and duty are criticalelements of the medical profession; the aim is to cultivate in them a strongcommitment to community service.• Care for indigent patients is provided at many community clinics byfaculty and residents.HAWAII MEDICAL JOURNAL, VOL 58, AUGUST 1999205

The John A. Burns School of Medicine Today

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The John A. Burns School of Medicine Today

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