SSCR2841

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2841

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 570, 571

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 570 and 571, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Statewide Health Coordinating Council

G.M. No. 570

THOMAS SCOTT GALLACHER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and

G.M. No. 571

NORA NOMURA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018.

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and resumes submitted by the nominees and finds Thomas Scott Gallacher and Nora Nomura to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

THOMAS SCOTT GALLACHER

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Gallacher from the Department of Health.

Dr. Gallacher received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. He received a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology from the University of Hawaii and Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California. Additionally, Dr. Gallacher is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Critical Care, Pulmonology, and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Gallacher currently serves as the Medical Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at The Queen's Medical Center. In addition to his director position, Dr. Gallacher works as an Intensivist at The Queen's Medical Center, as well as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that Dr. Gallacher is committed to serving the people of Hawaii, as evidenced by his most recent effort to create and support a Pulmonary Medicine Clinic on Molokai. Through his position in the Department of Medicine at The Queen's Medical Center, Dr. Gallacher is responsible for leading Native Hawaiian Health projects, which result in fewer readmissions to the hospital for Native Hawaiian patients. Dr. Gallacher's significant experience and knowledge in medical care have proven to be valuable resources to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, and he will continue to contribute to the Council's efforts with his reappointment.

NORA NOMURA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Nomura from the Department of Health, Mestizo Association, and Hawaii Government Employees Association.

Ms. Nomura received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. For over thirty years, Ms. Nomura devoted her professional career to the Hawaii Government Employees Association. In 2011, Ms. Nomura retired from the Hawaii Government Employees Association as the Deputy Executive Director. While at the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Ms. Nomura provided representation for almost 28,000 union members in contract negotiation and enforcement; bargaining unit governance, training, and education; legislative and political action; and community service.

Ms. Nomura has served as a board member of the Aloha United Way, Domestic Violence Action Center, AFL-CIO, and various other state boards and commissions, including the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Real Estate Commission, and Patsy T. Mink Commission. Your Committee finds that Ms. Nomura's professional experience and public service make her an ideal candidate for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Nomura will greatly enhance the Statewide Health Coordinating Council's ability to engage in community initiatives and health planning.

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, Chair