Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 373, 374, 375, 376, and 377 submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Based upon your Committee's evaluation of the testimony received from, and in support of, the nominees, your Committee finds that each nominee should be afforded an opportunity to serve the public.

Wendell K.S. Foo, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor of the Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, where he received an M.D. degree. He is Chief of Anesthesiology at the Hawaiian Eye Surgical Center, in Wahiawa, and Chief of Anesthesiology of the Hawaii Endoscopy Center, St. Francis Medical Center, in Honolulu. He is a U.S. Army Reserve Colonel who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. The nominee has served as Chairman of the Hawaii Medical Association Annual Session Meeting, 2003; Director, Board of Directors, SurgiCare of Hawaii, 1994 to 1998; Founding Member, The Queen's Medical Center 24-Hour-In-House Obstetrics and Trauma Team, 1988; and Medical Staff, Department of Anesthesiology, Hoag Presbyterian Hospital, Newport Beach, California, 1977 to 1979. He has participated in community organizations such as Hospice Hawaii, Aloha Medical Mission, Bishop Museum, and Goodwill Industries.

Testimony in support of Dr. Foo was received from the Senator from the 18^th District, Hawaii Medical Association (HMA), and two individuals. Your Committee notes the testimony of the Senator that Dr. Foo is "totally able and willing to handle the position, and has the track record, ability, integrity, and even-handedness to do so."

Ronald H. Kienitz, D.O., is Medical Director for the Concentra Medical Centers, Honolulu, and a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Western University of Health Sciences, Occupational/Family Medicine. He serves as a medical expert witness in Hawaii courts, military courts, and workers' compensation cases, and on the Hawaii Medical Conciliation Panel. He holds a Board Certification in Preventive/Occupational Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He is also a Certified Independent Medical Examiner and is certified by the National Board of Examiners, Osteopathic Medicine. The nominee serves on the Board of Pharmacy in Hawaii and Michigan.

Testimony in support of Dr. Kienitz was received from the Hawaii Medical Association (HMA), The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and one physician. According to the HMA, the nominee was recently elected to serve as the President Elect of the Honolulu County Medical Society.

Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon in Hilo. He belongs to the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He received an MD degree from the University of California at Irvine, California College of Medicine, and a BS degree in zoology from the University of California at Davis. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and is a member of numerous medical associations and societies. He is Chairperson of Surgical Specialists at Hilo Medical Center and Chair of its Ambulatory Care/OR Committee. The nominee is published in professional journals and has been a presenter in numerous professional symposiums.

Testimony in support of Dr. Matsuura was received from the Hawaii Medical Association, and four physicians.

John T. McDonnell, M.D., is in private practice, specializing in allergy and immunology, and is Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine. He received an MD degree from the New Jersey College of Medicine & Dentistry, and a BS degree in biology from St. Peter's College. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and Conjoint Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. The nominee was President of the Honolulu County Medical Society, 1987, and President of the Hawaii Medical Association, 1991.

Testimony in support of Dr. McDonnell was received from the Hawaii Medical Association, Aloha Eye Clinic, Ltd., Straub Clinic & Hospital, two physicians, and one individual.

Maria Brusca Patten, D.O., has been a physiatrist with Department Neurosciences at Kaiser Permanente Honolulu since 2001 where she was Subchief, Physical Medicine Department from 1997 to 2001. She received a D.O. degree from the College of Osteopathy Medicine of the Pacific, and a B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She was Chief Resident for the Stanford University Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She is the Neurosciences Department Peer Review Liaison for Kaiser Hawaii, and Chair of the Medical Acupuncture Action Committee of the Hawaii Medical Association. The nominee is a Diplomate with the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Testimony in support of the Dr. Patten was received from three physicians. Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement that she understands the importance of Board of Medical Examiners in the professional lives of physicians and patients, who rely upon good quality health care and the maintenance of high professional standards of health care.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found each nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to each nomination.