STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1351

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 697

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 697, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawai'i Medical Education Council

G.M. No. 697

ARTHUR A. USHIJIMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Arthur A. Ushijima to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Medical Education Council.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Arthur A. Ushijima from the Governor; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Board; and two individuals.

     Mr. Ushijima received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Cornell College.  He received his Master of Arts degree in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Iowa.  Mr. Ushijima is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Queen's Health Systems and the President of The Queen's Medical Center. 

     Mr. Ushijima is involved with numerous community service and professional organizations.  He is currently a Board member of VHA, Inc.; Hawaii Business Roundtable; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Residency Programs; and the University of Hawaii Foundation.  Mr. Ushijima is a current a member of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.

     Mr. Ushijima testified that one of the greatest challenges facing the Hawaii Medical Education Council is addressing the shortage of physicians in the State.  As Hawaii's population ages and demand for health care services increases, the State is facing a shortage in physicians and health care workers. 

     Mr. Ushijima testified that the Hawaii Medical Education Council has completed an assessment of the physician shortage in the State and will now be looking into specific programs and methods of implementation to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, and caregivers in order to meet the needs of Hawaii's aging population and rural communities.

     Mr. Ushijima stated that it is important to develop a continuum of programs in graduate medical education to encourage graduating medical, nursing, and health care students to remain in Hawaii for training and practice.  Mr. Ushijima expressed to your Committee that it is also important to encourage partnerships between JABSOM and the private sector to promote recruitment and retention of physicians in the State.  For example, as part of his work with The Queen's Medical Center, Mr. Ushijima played an integral role in working the John A. Burns School of Medicine of the University of Hawaii (JABSOM) to develop a Cardiology Fellowship Program to address the need for more cardiologists in the State. 

     Based on Mr. Ushijima's wealth of experience, your Committee finds that Mr. Ushijima's continued work on the Hawaii Medical Education Council will benefit the health care community and the residents of the State. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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 Education,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair