STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1311

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 597

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 597, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawai'i Medical Education Council

G.M. No. 597

CHRISTOPHER FLANDERS, for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Christopher Flanders to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawai‘i Medical Education Council.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Christopher Flanders from the University of Hawai‘i System, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation, and two individuals.

     Dr. Flanders is currently the Executive Director of the Hawaii Medical Association, and has extensive experience in private practice, academic medicine, and healthcare policy.  As a resident of the Island of Hawaii, Dr. Flanders is dedicated to ensuring that quality healthcare is available statewide, and to further this goal he co-founded the Hawaii Island Healthcare Alliance to gather data regarding healthcare disparities on the Island of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Flanders has demonstrated a significant commitment to public service, as evidenced by his service on numerous boards and councils such as the Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the Hawaii Physician Shortage Workgroup.  Dr. Flanders has worked closely with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine in various capacities, including on the physician workforce assessment and resident training programs intended to address physician shortages and benefit underserved areas of the State.  Dr. Flanders is passionate about finding short- and long-term collaborative strategies to improve physician development, recruitment, and retention in Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Flanders' background, leadership, and strong commitment to his profession will be tremendous assets to the Hawai‘i Medical Education Council.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher 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 Higher Education,

____________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair