STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2529

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 578

 

 

 

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. 578, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

 

Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 578

 

LINDA ROSEN,

for a term to expire 12-1-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and resume submitted by the nominee and finds Dr. Linda Rosen to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as the Director of Health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Rosen from the Governor's Office; Department of Health; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Transportation; Department of Defense; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Pacific Health; The Queen's Health Systems; Mental Health America of Hawaii; Hawaii Public Health Association; Wilcox Memorial Hospital; Kapiolani Medical Center; Straub Clinic and Hospital; Pali Momi Medical Center; American Health Association/American Stroke Association; Kaiser Permanente; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; West Hawaii Regional Board, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Medical Response; Hawaii Medical Association; Hawaii Health Information Corporation; Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific; Injury Prevention Advisory Committee; Domestic Violence Action Center; Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated; Life Foundation; and several individuals.

 

     Dr. Rosen received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Baylor College of Medicine and a Master's degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of California at Los Angeles.  Dr. Rosen is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.

 

     Your Committee finds that, consistent with the exemplary comments submitted on her behalf, Dr. Rosen has distinguished herself in various roles at the Department of Health over the past fourteen years and has a broad understanding of many aspects of health care and public health.  She has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in her current position as the Chief of the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch of the Department of Health.  Prior to this position, Dr. Rosen served as Deputy Director of the Department of Health.

 

     Dr. Rosen strives for a collaborative approach to public health and insists on the highest quality of service.  She has a clinical background, a passion for the health of the community, and a deep understanding of providers and consumers of health care.  Dr. Rosen's experience, management abilities, and professional relationships are needed in the Department of Health to continue moving the State forward to eliminate health disparities and implement a public health agenda.

 

     Dr. Rosen is admired and respected by many colleagues and friends, as evidenced by comments submitted by state agencies, hospitals, not-for-profit organizations, medical professionals, and the public.  Beth Giesting, the Healthcare Transformation Coordinator of the Office of the Governor, testified, "I admire Dr. Rosen's empathy and quick understanding but most of all I appreciate her willingness and energy for taking action to address problems."

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Rosen's familiarity with the Department of Health, along with her experience as a pediatrician and extensive work in the emergency and critical care fields, will provide her with the necessary foundation and background to lead the Department of Health.  Your Committee further finds that the legacy of the late Director of Health, Loretta Fuddy, and Dr. Rosen's approach to health care will complement each other very well.  Dr. Rosen looks forward to honoring the previous Director of Health by moving public health initiatives forward for the benefit and interest of Hawaii.

 

     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