STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2843

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 576

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 No. 576, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Health Planning Council, Honolulu Subarea

G.M. No. 576

LEONARDINE NELSON, for a term to expire 6-30-2017.

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and resume submitted by the nominee and finds Leonardine Nelson to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Health Planning Council, Honolulu Subarea.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Nelson from the Department of Health.

     Ms. Nelson received a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from California Coast University.  Ms. Nelson also received an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Hawaii.  In addition, Ms. Nelson received a vocational nurse license from Los Angeles Unified City Schools.

     Since 1996, Ms. Nelson has served as the Director for the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Hawaii, Guam, America Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  As Director, Ms. Nelson oversees the administration of the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization contract requirements through strategic staffing, services, and cost-effective financial management.  She also works with many community stakeholders who advocate for or work with Medicare beneficiaries across Hawaii and the Pacific.  In the past, Ms. Nelson held various positions in the health care industry, which include working in hospitals as the Director of Staff Development, Utilization Review Coordinator, Coding Specialist, and Staff Nurse.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Nelson has a vast knowledge of the health care system.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Nelson's expertise and experience will enable her to improve health care services through her contributions to the Health Planning Council, Honolulu Subarea.

     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, Chair