Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 577, 578, and 579, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and the statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of LILI BRYAN-CONANT from the Department of Health. Ms. Bryan-Conant earned a B.A. in English from the University of California and a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Hawaii. She is presently a Senior Coordinator for Provider Services Kauai at Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA). Ms. Bryan-Conant has worked for HMSA for over fifteen years. In addition, she has worked for the Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Kauai and the Cancer Research Center in Honolulu. Ms. Bryan-Conant's affiliations include chairing the Home Care Advisory Committee for St. Francis Medical Center, and serving as former President of the American Heart Association.

Your Committee received testimony in support of JOANNE H. KEALOHA from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142, and the Hawaii State AFL-CIO. Ms. Kealoha graduated from Kalani High School and earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also earned an M.S.W. from the University of California at Los Angeles. Ms. Kealoha is currently a social worker for the ILWU Local 42 and as such she is interested in access to and the availability of health resources throughout Hawaii. Ms. Kealoha's past experience includes working for HMSA, Jamal Inc., and the State Department of Social Services and Housing. Her present position with the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the West Oahu Subarea Council make her thoroughly familiar with the issues facing the Council. Ms. Kealoha's other affiliations include Aloha United Way, Hawaii Meals on Wheels, and the State Rehabilitation Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of VIRGINIA PRESSLER, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., from the Department of Health and `Hawaii Pacific Health. Dr. Pressler earned a B.A. in Social Psychology at Cornell University, and an M.B.A. and an M.S. in Physiology from the University of Hawaii. In addition, she received an M.D. from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Pressler was a research fellow in surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She also completed an integrated surgical residency program at the University of Hawaii. At present, Dr. Pressler is Vice-President of Service Line Development, Marketing & Government Relations for Hawaii Pacific Health. Her responsibilities include focusing on program development in women's health promotion and wellness, comprehensive cancer care, women's cardiac care, bone health, urogynecology, and other women's health issues. Her past experience includes serving as Deputy Director for Health Resources Administration at the Department of Health, as President and Chief Executive Officer of QPH Health doing business as HMSA Premier Plan, and The Queen's Health Systems.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.