STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3522

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, and 698, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Health Planning Council, Hawai‘i County Subarea

G.M. No. 693	WAYNE HIGAKI, for a term to expire 6-30-2015;
G.M. No. 694	ALAN PARKER, for a term to expire 6-30-2015;
G.M. No. 695	CHRISTOPHER SCHLUETER, for a term to expire 6-30-2016;
G.M. No. 696	SHERI SHAW, for a term to expire 6-30-2015;
G.M. No. 697	SHEILA NICHOLAS-SMITH, for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and
G.M. No. 698	ANNE STURGIS, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Wayne Higaki, Alan Parker, Christopher Schlueter, Sheri Shaw, Sheila Nicholas-Smith, and Anne Sturgis to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Health Planning Council, Hawai‘i County Subarea.

WAYNE HIGAKI

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Wayne Higaki from the Department of Health and one individual.

     Mr. Higaki is the Vice President of Public Affairs for North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc., and has been in health care for twenty-eight years.  Mr. Higaki has a demonstrated commitment to his community, as evidenced by his service as Chairman of the County of Hawaii Workforce Investment Board and his membership with the Rotary Club of North Hawaii.  Mr. Higaki has previously served on the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the Health Planning Council, Hawaii County Subarea, for eight years and his knowledge of the issues and concerns regarding health care services on the island of Hawaii and across the State have been valuable to both councils.

ALAN PARKER

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Alan Parker from the Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

     Mr. Parker is the County Executive on Aging in the Hawaii County Office of Aging.  Mr. Parker has previously served as the Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Planner with the Hawaii County Office of Aging, and Deputy Director of the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.  Mr. Parker's knowledge of and commitment to Hawaii's older adults and family caregivers in all settings, including hospitals and home and community-based care, brings a valuable perspective to the Health Planning Council, Hawaii County Subarea, of which he is currently the Vice Chair.

CHRISTOPHER SCHLUETER

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Christopher Schlueter from the Department of Health.

     Mr. Schlueter is an attorney with an interest in business, real estate, land use, and immigration law.  He has a Bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in information technology as well as a Juris Doctor degree from Gonzaga University School of Law.  Mr. Schlueter is currently the Chair of the Health Planning Council and has been a valuable member of the Council during his first term.

SHERI SHAW

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Sheri Shaw from the Department of Health.

     Ms. Shaw is a Nurse Manager at Hilo Medical Center and is responsible for a long-term care unit and the supervision, scheduling, and education of eighty full-time employees.  She has twenty-three years of experience as a registered nurse and has had positions in numerous facilities and capacities, including a Mental Health Nurse, Surgery Nurse, and Psychiatric Nurse Manager.  Ms. Shaw has been a very productive member of the Health Planning Council.

SHEILA NICHOLAS-SMITH

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Sheila Nicholas-Smith from the Department of Health and ten individuals.

     Ms. Nicholas-Smith is the Director of Operations and the Director of Home Programs for Liberty Dialysis-North Hawaii LLC and works throughout the State to promote, encourage, and support individuals in performing dialysis at home.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Nicholas-Shaw worked for many years at facilities that provided dialysis services and as a Staff Nurse working frequently in critical care units.  Within her community, she diligently promotes good health and disease prevention.  Ms. Nicholas-Smith's passion for and experience in tending to the health care needs of various communities will enable her to serve effectively on the Health Planning Council.

ANNE STURGIS

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Anne Sturgis from the Department of Health and one individual.

     Ms. Sturgis is a Clinical Social Worker at Bay Clinic, Inc.  Previously, she worked as the Service Area Administrator for the Adult Mental Health Division and the Assistant Clinical Director of the Hookupono program.  Ms. Sturgis has been tasked in the past with developing services based on stakeholder input and available data, and her experiences have provided her with a broad perspective of the community's needs and challenges in obtaining health care.  Ms. Sturgis' focus on inclusive diplomacy and cultural sensitivity as well as her professional background will allow her to make many significant contributions to the Health Planning Council.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that are 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.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair