STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1493

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 542, 543

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 542 and 543, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee

G.M. No. 542	THINH NGUYEN, for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and
G.M. No. 543	CECILIA WANG, for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Thinh Nguyen and Cecilia Wang for service on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

THINH NGUYEN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Thinh Nguyen from the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health and the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Nguyen's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee as a member who is a physician engaged in the practice of emergency medicine and board-eligible or board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Your Committee notes that Dr. Nguyen has over two decades of experience in the fields of emergency medicine and emergency medical services, starting as an emergency medical technician, advancing to a paramedic, and ultimately becoming a board-certified emergency physician. Dr. Nguyen currently serves as an attending physician in the Emergency Department at Pali Momi Medical Center and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children's Hospital, where he plays a critical role in providing high-quality care in urgent and high‑pressure environments. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Nguyen serves as the Medical Director for the Honolulu Fire Department and as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Surgery. Dr. Nguyen's professional experience also includes air ambulance services, based on his previous employment with Hawaii Life Flight as its Medical Director. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Nguyen earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center. Your Committee additionally finds that Dr. Nguyen served on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee from 2007 to 2011, and therefore has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee believes that Dr. Nguyen's extensive experience in emergency medicine and emergency medical services will enhance the effectiveness of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. Your Committee therefore recommends that Thinh Nguyen be appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

CECILIA WANG

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cecilia Wang from the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health and the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Wang's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee as a member who is a physician experienced in the conduct and delivery of emergency medical services. Your Committee notes that Dr. Wang has over two decades of experience in trauma and critical care surgery. Dr. Wang currently serves as the Medical Director for OptimuM AIR, an air ambulance company, an intensivist and intensive care unit director for Trauma at the Pali Momi Medical Center, and a trauma and acute care surgeon at Hawaii Pacific Health. In addition to her extensive clinical experience, Dr. Wang serves as an associate clinical professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Wang also has a remarkable history of service in humanitarian medical missions worldwide and provided critical care and surgery in disaster-stricken areas such as Haiti, South Sudan, Myanmar, and the Philippines, evidencing her dedication to public health and emergency care on a global scale. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Wang earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine and completed her general surgery residency at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. Your Committee finds that Dr. Wang has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of advisory committee members and her extensive experience in trauma and critical care surgery and providing air medical transport for critically ill patients will enhance the effectiveness of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. Your Committee therefore recommends that Cecilia Wang be appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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 and Human Services,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair