STAND. COM. REP. NO. 871

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 527

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 527, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 527

LORETTA J. FUDDY,

for a term to expire December 1, 2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Loretta J. Fuddy to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as Director of Health. 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Loretta J. Fuddy from the Governor of the State of Hawaii; Executive Office on Aging; Department of Health, Environmental Health Administration; Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division; Office of Environmental Quality Control; Community Empowerment Services; Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Inc.; Puna Community Medical Center; Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus; American Medical Response; Hawai‘i Women's Political Caucus; Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i; Kapi‘olani Child Protection Center; Early Learning Council; PHOCUSED; Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc.; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Good Beginnings Alliance; Molokai Community Health Center; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; Child Welfare Services State Advisory Council; American Cancer Society Hawai‘i Pacific, Inc.; Aloha United Way; Hawaii Health Information Corporation; Board of Directors, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Hawaii Long Term Care Association; Hawai‘i Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition; Parents and Children Together; Papa Ola Lokahi; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i; Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawai‘i Chapter; Abilities Unlimited; Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs; PATH Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai‘i; Center on Disability Studies; Child & Family Service; Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i; Injury Prevention Advisory Committee; March of Dimes Foundation, Hawaii Chapter; and forty-six private individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Fuddy's extensive experience, demonstrated leadership abilities, compassion, personal integrity, and commitment to serving the health care needs of children and adults throughout the State make her well-qualified for the position of Director of Health. 

 

     Ms. Fuddy has an extensive educational background, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Masters' degrees in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Hawaii.  Ms. Fuddy also was a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University. 

 

     Ms. Fuddy brings to the Department of Health over thirty-five years of experience in health services and public health administration.  Ms. Fuddy began her career at the Department of Health as an entry-level staffer and quickly progressed to upper-level management, holding positions as Social Worker III, Social Worker IV, Learning Disability Section Supervisor, Perinatal Health Services Section Supervisor, Maternal and Child Health Branch Chief, Family Health Services Division Chief, and Deputy Director of Health.  

 

     Ms. Fuddy currently serves as the Acting Director of Health.  With a budget of approximately $900,000,000 and a staff of approximately 3,000 employees, Ms. Fuddy has had to confront the State's complex health care needs and has risen to the challenge, proving her ability, dedication, and commitment of meeting those needs even under difficult budgetary constraints.

 

     Your Committee also finds that Ms. Fuddy is an effective administrator, social worker, and advocate for affordable and effective health care.  She has worked fervently on issues such as substance abuse, mental health, violence prevention, disease control and prevention, infant mortality, prenatal care, early head start, childhood lead poisoning, learning disabilities, child abuse, wellness, and affordable care. 

 

     Your Committee notes that Ms. Fuddy has not only been actively involved in improving the health care options for the people of the State of Hawaii, but she has also been active at the national level through collaborative efforts with the Public Health Association, Association of State and Territorial Public Health Officers, National Association of Social Workers, and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.  Her dedication to improving the availability of quality, affordable health care for all of Hawaii's residents is unquestioned.

 

     Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted, Ms. Fuddy is uniquely qualified to serve as the Director of Health.  Her previous work experiences and positions demonstrate her knowledge and ability to oversee the Department of Health.  Her leadership qualities will foster transparency, collaboration, partnership, and engagement among the Legislature, community, health care providers, social service organizations, and Department of Health.  Your Committee believes that Ms. Fuddy's expertise, leadership, honesty, intelligence, and commitment to public health will allow her to serve the State and the Department of Health well.

 

     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 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 Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair