STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1468

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 568

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 568, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawaii Medical Board

G.M. No. 568

NIRAJ S. DESAI, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.  A written statement and curriculum vitae were received from the nominee.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that this nominee is a nephrologist with extensive experience in clinical practice, research, and teaching.  Your Committee notes that, in addition to overseeing a solo clinical practice, this nominee also serves as Associate Medical Director of Liberty Dialysis of Hawaii and formerly held the position of Medical Director, Patient Safety & Quality Services at Kauai Medical Center.  Your Committee finds that this nominee gained experience with issues of electronic medical records, online care, and access to care through his position at Kauai Medical Center where he served on the Credentials Committee and on a project to investigate the use of electronic medical records.  Your Committee finds that this nominee's knowledge of emerging service delivery protocols and his awareness of access issues, especially for patients in rural areas and on the neighbor islands, will be especially helpful to the Board.  Your Committee finds that this nominee has been appointed based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.    

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair