HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	36
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2017 HAWAII HEALTHCARE HEROES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEREAS, many of the state's healthcare professionals toil in anonymity, aiding those in need and providing comfort to families without recognition and doing so without any other intent or purpose but to improve the quality of life of patients and their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, an organization created in 1939 and representing 160 care provider organizations within the state, decided to provide a vehicle for patients to recognize healthcare professionals who have had profound impacts on the lives of these patients and their families; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, five healthcare professionals were selected from a large field of nominees as representing the types of individuals who routinely provide a quality of care that goes above and beyond the call of duty; and

WHEREAS, JESSICA ACKERMAN, APRN-RX, FNP-BC, a nurse practitioner at The Queen's Medical Center within Geriatric Services, has made a positive impact on her patients and their families, helping them face complex medical issues and empowering them to make difficult decisions, especially regarding end-of-life care; and

WHEREAS, ANNE DEMPSEY, M.D. has been practicing internal medicine at Kauai Medical Clinic since November 2014, working to treat her patients with her masterful clinical and with unwavering compassion, and more importantly, making a difference in their lives by inspiring them to live healthier lives through diet and exercise; and

WHEREAS, GARY OSHITA, former P.E. teacher and personal fitness trainer, is currently working as an activity coordinator in the Recreation Therapy Department at Maluhia and is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing activities and therapeutic recreational programs that enhance the quality of life for both participants and nursing home residents; and

WHEREAS, CHERI TERANISHI-HASHIMOTO, DPT, MS, WCS, CLT-LANA, MSPT, is an assistant manager of KJ & Beatrice Luke Specialty Clinic at Nuuanu and also serves as Program Director for Women's Health & Cancer Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, providing both management expertise and direct patient care as a doctor of physical therapy; and

WHEREAS, BARON WONG, M.D. has pursued a career in a field where he could make a difference in other people's lives, caring for patients with compassion, love, and dignity as an internal medicine physician, geriatric medicine specialist, and hospitalist at Wahiawa General Hospital, Wahiawa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and Bristol Hospice; and

WHEREAS, our Hawaii Healthcare Heroes give patients and their families hope, comfort, and support during some of the toughest times of their lives; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, that this body hereby recognizes and congratulates these five outstanding individuals who treat their patients with a level of compassion and care that far exceeds expectations, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Recognizing and Congratulating the 2017 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes.