STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 879

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 879, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawai'i Medical Education Council

G.M. No. 879

JAMES HASTINGS, 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 James Hastings to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Medical Education Council.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of James Hastings from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Hastings received a Bachelor's degree from Amherst College.  He went on to receive a Medical Doctor degree from New York University School of Medicine.  He completed his medical internship at the University of Virginia Hospital and his residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital.  He completed two cardiology fellowships, one at Vanderbilt University Hospital and the other at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

     Dr. Hastings is currently the Director of the Spark M. Matsunaga Veteran's Administration Medical and Regional Office Center, where he is responsible for directing the delivery of health care services and benefits to veterans in Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa.  In this capacity, Dr. Hastings has direct involvement with graduate medical education programs. 

     Dr. Hastings also serves as an educator at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.  Until December 2003, Dr. Hastings was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.  In this capacity, he had educational responsibilities for medical students, residents, and continuing medical education for staff.

     Dr. Hastings has also served as Commanding General at Tripler Army Medical Center and as Commanding General at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

     Your Committee finds that the Veteran's Administration funds positions in graduate medical education across the United States and in Hawaii.  As such, Dr. Hastings' experience as a medical educator, Director of the Spark M. Matsunaga Veteran's Administration Medical and Regional Office Center, and current member of the Hawaii Medical Education Council continues to make him a valuable member of the Council.

     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