2021 Nurses Month

Celebrating Our Nurses and Health Care Providers MAHALO TO ALL OF HAWAII’S NURSES Nursing is more than a profession. It’s a calling.

During National Nurses Week, we recognize the more than 1,400 Kaiser Permanente nurses in Hawaii who are on the front lines daily keeping our members safe with a calm, caring, and compassionate touch.

kp.org/hawaii

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Longs Drugs is always here for Hawaii providing your family with accessible health & wellness services to keep you safe & healthy.

To all of Hawaii’s Health Care Professionals, Mahalo for your service, dedication, hard work & perseverance each and every day while serving Hawaii’s communities. We sincerely appreciate all that you do.

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In a year like no other, they continued to shine. %QPITCVWNCVKQPU HTQO [QWT *CYCKnK 2CEKƂE *GCNVJ nQJCPC QP DGKPI TGEQIPK\GF HQT GZEGNNGPEG VJKU 0WTUGU 9GGM

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children

Straub Medical Center

Allen Bumanglag

Gabrielle Gouveia

Christine Johnson

Luanne Hancock

Helen Lau

Fides Ignacio

Kimberly Anne Marks

Adrienne Isham

Jaime Sharpe

Janette Lucas

Alisa Takahashi

Paul Patterson

Emily Garcia

Tyler Teruya

Pali Momi Medical Center Doreen Akamine

Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua‘i Medical Clinic

Clifford Bueno

Belgica Heredia

Mona Higuchi

Carrie Hovland

Mavis Hur

Krystalyn Kashiwabara

Jaryn Iwamoto

Lisa Naumu

Jackie Molina

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Brittany Schaefer Mary Taiariol

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MAY 2021

Celebrating OUR NURSES

BY KYLE GALDEIRA In years past, the annual celebration of our nation’s nurses took place within a seven-day window. But, after a tumultuous year that saw these frontline health care workers go above and beyond

MESSAGE FROM

the call of duty, American Nurses Association announced May as

DENNIS FRANCIS

Nurses Month and selected the theme “Nurses Make a Difference.”

According to ANA, the month of May will be divided into four weeks that focus on the following topics: self-care (May 1-9),

A

recognition (May 10-16), professional development (May 17-23) s the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic unfolded over this past year, these unprecedented times have been marked with angst and anxiety. Even with the

and community engagement (May 24-31).

miraculous rapid development of vaccines, we continue to digest a daily flow

Florence Nightingale is known as the founder of professional

of news and interpret guidance from multiple sources while pursuing our best plans to

nursing and became an industry pioneer after her work during

protect family, colleagues and friends.

We are obligated to thank many people, but especially those who are at the center of

the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856. Nightingale’s habit of making

it all: our courageous nurses and their colleagues in the medical profession. Long charged

rounds at night led to her being known as “The Lady with the

with the noble and exhausting work of caring for those who are sick and suffering, front-

Lamp,” and, appropriately, National Nurses Week (and this year,

line heroes run toward danger while the rest of us retreat into relative safety. Every time they step into their uniform, nurses care for people when they are at their most fragile.

Please join our staff, partners and the community as we express our sincere thanks to Hawaii’s nurses for their continued commitment and dedication in daunting times.

Nurses Month) shines a light on the current crop of dedicated nurses.

With patience and perseverance, we look forward to our collective recovery and will

National Nurses Week is normally May 6-12 each year — May

always remember your considerable contribution while we navigated our way toward

6 being Nightingale’s birthday. The nursing profession has been

a better tomorrow.

supported and promoted by ANA since 1896. Each of ANA’s state and territorial nurses associations promotes the nursing profes-

Mahalo Nui Loa,

sion at the state and regional levels, and conducts celebrations to recognize the contributions that nurses make to the community.

“As the largest group of health care professionals in the U.S.

DENNIS FRANCIS

and the most trusted profession, nurses are with patients 24/7

Publisher, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

and from the beginning of life to the end. Nurses practice in all

President, Oahu Publications, Inc.

health care settings and are filling new roles to meet the ever-growing demand for health and health care services,” states ANA president Ernest Grant, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. “Despite the major role nurses play in health care delivery and community outreach, there are opportunities to increase understanding of the value of nursing in order to expand investment in education, practice and research, as well as increase the numbers of nurses who serve in leadership positions.”

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verything you d e r o Fo

thank YOU Nurses Week 2021

;7b1-ঞomķ uo m7 |_; Ѵo1h At St. Francis Healthcare System, Hawaii’s largest, most comprehensive post-acute provider, nurses play a valuable role in our interdisciplinary healthcare team. Our nurses work with doctors, social workers, spiritual care counselors, health aides, and volunteers |o 7;Ѵb ;u |_; 0;v| 1-u; =ou o u r-ঞ;m|v -m7 r-uঞ1br-m|vĺ ou; |_-m - o0 Nursing is a lifestyle and calling. Our m uv;v |_bmh -0o | o u r-ঞ;m|v om -m7 o@ |_; fo0ķ -ѴѴ |_; ঞl;ĺ $_-| hbm7 o= _;-u ;Ѵ| 1ollb|l;m| bv _-| l-h;v "|ĺ Francis Healthcare System’s nurses so special. $_uo ]_ |_; -m7;lb1 -m7 ; om7 We’re proud of all of our nursing team — 1;uঞC;7 m uvbm] -b7;vķ Ѵb1;mv;7 ru-1ঞ1-Ѵ nurses, registered nurses, advanced ru-1ঞ1; u;]bv|;u;7 m uv;vķ -m7 =-lbѴ ru-1ঞঞom;uvĺ ;u |_; r-v| ;-uķ |_; faithfully worked through the pandemic, -m7 1omঞm ; |o v;u ; b|_ r-vvbom =ou their profession. ;Ѵ;0u-ঞm] uv;v );;h bv f v| - vl-ѴѴ - o= ; ru;vvbm] o u ]u-ঞ| 7; |o o u nurses!

St. Francis HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OF HAWAII A Legacy of Caring for Hawaii’s People

Live Every Moment

stfrancishawaii.org (808) 547-6500

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MESSAGE FROM MESSAGE FROM

GOVERNOR DAVID Y. IGE

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urses are the cornerstone of patient care in our state. With the global COVID-19 pandemic and increased health care demands, they have been critical resources in providing quality care and keeping the people of Hawaii safe and healthy.

On behalf of the citizens of the Aloha State, I am proud to proclaim May 2021 as Nurses Month in Hawaii.

Nursing is one of the most noble professions in the world, one that requires immense

commitment and sacrifice. It takes a special person to be a nurse — someone who genuinely cares for the well-being of others; someone with patience, tenacity, selflessness, compassion and empathy.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN

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uring Nurses Week, I want to show a special appreciation to all the remarkable and dedicated nurses who have worked tirelessly throughout their careers, and especially during the arduous times we have faced during the COVID-19

pandemic. I have seen nurses firsthand go above and beyond to care for our kupuna and our keiki, our neighbors without homes, visitors to our islands, and all who have set foot on our beautiful aina. They not only assist patients with health care needs, but also oftentimes provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on with an empathy that few possess.

I would also like to thank all nurses, especially in the last year, for risking their lives to care for others and for carrying the heavy burden of saving lives. We have seen many

Here in Hawaii, we have over 30,000 licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and

retired nurses come back to the frontlines to help with our testing and vaccination efforts.

nurse practitioners. They work in hospitals, clinics, schools, community health centers

They have worked relentlessly, day and night, to protect and heal our families, and I am

and nursing care facilities. They are the dedicated frontline professionals who take care

beyond grateful for their sacrifice. Nurses deserve to be appreciated every single day

of the medical and emotional needs of our keiki, kupuna, ohana and our communities.

for their commitment to their kuleana, and their embodiment of aloha that has held our

Hawaii is proud to recognize and honor the humble, courageous nurses in our state.

community together.

You are part of the reason that makes Hawaii a special place where future generations can choose to call home. Aloha and mahalo nui loa.

With Aloha, With warmest regards,

JOSH GREEN, M.D. DAVID Y. IGE Governor, State of Hawaii

Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii

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Honoring Our Nurses Nurses have been on the front lines facing the global pandemic for the past year, caring for patients and making a difference every day. To the 63,000 nurses within Kaiser Permanente and the 4 million nurses across the nation, we thank you for your unwavering strength, your service, and your sacrifices.

Thank you for all you bring to our patients, members, and communities: Hope and healing Devotion and dignity Empathy and education Innovation and inspiration Courage and commitment Hard work and humanity We honor and celebrate you this Nurses Month, every day, and always.

Greg A. Adams Chair and Chief Executive Officer Kaiser Permanente

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MAY 2021

HAWAII STATE CENTER FOR NURSING

Laura Reichhardt APRN, AGPCNP-BC

BY LAURA REICHHARDT

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n 2020, we experienced one of the most trying periods for everyone, especially nurses.

Nurses responded to the frontlines of nearly every touch point in health care. In Hawaii, nurses led teams caring for COVID-19 patients, educated contact tracers, responded to PPE needs, targeted care efforts for vulnerable populations, ran vaccine clinics, commanded hospitals and health facilities, taught the public and colleagues about the ever-changing COVID-19 environment, and continued caring for people’s pre-existing and new needs. There is no stone that nurs-

es left unturned. Though the news reported the incredible emotional, physical and social burden nurses carried, COVID-19 also reinforced our core values.

Nurses are in the caring profession. They deserve care themselves.

As nursing students are near graduation, leadership and educators at our hospitals across the state recently increased resources available during nurses’ first years of practice. In the past decade, more than 1,000 new graduates have gone through a residency in Hawaii. For the first time in our state’s Hawaii Nurse Residency Program Collaborative, hospitals will add resources for preceptors that mentor new nurses, improve individ-

�HERE’S TO THE

HEROES! MAHALO to all of the nurses who work to provide extraordinary care!

Your friends at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the faculty practice, University Health Partners of Hawaii, greatly appreciate you and your hard work!

Tomorrow’s Healthcare Today!

808-469-4982 uhphawaii.org

ualized needs-based education, and cultivate new nurses’ development in specialty areas like labor and delivery, intensive care and telemetry (cardiac care). Finally, we can do a better job moving our locally educated nurses into high-demand and hard-to-fill specialty nursing areas.

Despite COVID-19’s incredible demand on nurses, this opportunity to optimize the support for new graduates became a reality last year, thanks to the Workforce Development Council, in addition to hospital nursing leadership. Even better, this now reaches neighbor islands better than ever: About 2 of every 5 new nurse residents will be living and working on a neighbor island.

Laura Reichhardt is the director of Hawaii State Center for Nursing and an adult-geriatric primary care nurse practitioner. Hawaii State Center for Nursing is a state-mandated, nursing-funded organization that is dedicated to ensuring Hawaii is the best place for nurses to work. Visit hawaiicenterfornursing.org.

Our goal is to ensure enough nurses in our state to provide high-quality care to people where they need it, when they need it. Every two years nurses must renew their licenses. At that time, the board of nursing provides a link to the Nursing Workforce Supply Survey.

Findings tell us important information like what types of settings and specialties nurses work in, and how well-represented our workforce is by race and ethnicity — we need to improve the equity and access to registered nurse and advanced nursing roles, particularly for Na-

tive Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The survey findings also help policymakers, health care leaders and educators with future planning.

COVID-19 provided a new lens on our existing work. It also reinforced the value of nurses contributing to the conversation, from leading decisions to informing the picture of our nursing workforce. It is ever more pressing to ensure the stability of and support for our nursing workforce. May is National Nurses Month, but at the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, we celebrate and serve nurses year-round.

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Mahalo for all you do!

NURSES MONTH

Thank you to our more than 1,100 public-sector registered nurses throughout Hawaii — at public safety-net hospitals, community health centers, long-term care facilities, correctional institutions, educational settings, community services programs — for your continued dedication and commitment.

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MAY 2021

THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS

BY KELLY JOHNSON PH.D., RN, NEA-BC SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES, CHIEF NURSING OFFICER WITH THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS

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loha nursing colleagues, In celebration of Nurses Week, in this Year of the Nurse, we honor and recognize the invaluable contributions you make to our organization and to the health of our communities.

This past year of the pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, but we also have seen remarkable bravery and compassion.

Your unwavering commitment to our patients — at

MICHELLE SPENCER, BSN, RN The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu A nurse for over 20 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“My favorite thing about my profession is providing the best quality care I can for the patient. I feel it is so rewarding to have that personal connection with the patient and the family. I enjoy providing education and knowledge to the patient and family to give them some understanding or peace with what is going on with them at that moment.”

times in place of your own safety and well-being — not only ensured that Queen’s weathered the pandemic, but it also has taught us

lessons that will benefit our health system for generations to come. There are no words to express how grateful so many people are for

the high-quality care you have selflessly delivered in the most difficult of times.

Whether providing regular checkups, comforting a sick kupuna who may be lonely and afraid, or teaching a family how to care for a chronically ill family member, our team delivers the best. Queen’s prominent recognition, both locally and nationally, is due in large measure to your passion for delivering quality care to our patients and your devotion to the mission of our organization. Our outcomes tell the story. Most importantly, the patients we have cared for, and their grateful families, tell the story of the superb

care you have provided.

As we prepare for continued changes in health care, we must remember to keep challenging ourselves and each other. It’s important to share the everyday experiences and our continued achievements with our colleagues, patients and families, and our community.

I feel very blessed to work with such an outstanding team of nurses who are so deeply committed to ensuring that we deliver worldclass health care to our patients while supporting their families and one another.

During this celebration of Nurses Week, I want to send a heartfelt mahalo for up-

holding the standards that distinguish our profession, for persevering during difficult times, and for exhibiting excellence in human care for

the benefit of every patient and family we serve. I am honored to work alongside you as we continue the mission set forth by our found-

JEANETTE BINCE OSHIRO, BSN, RN, OCN Molokai General Hospital A nurse for 18 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“My favorite thing about being a nurse is the ability to care for and give back to my community. I hope I can make a positive impact on health care as a whole.”

THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS

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ED-AN BALLESTEROSLEASURE, BSN, RN The Queen’s Medical Center – Punchbowl A nurse for 28 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Being a nurse is my way to give back to our community. As a nurse, I am able to work with a great team to help our family and friends heal physically, mentally and spiritually.” ers Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV: to provide in perpetuity quality health care services to Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaii.

The Queen’s Heath Systems is Hawaii’s preeminent health care system with four hospitals, more than 70 community health care

centers, home care and labs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific. The Queen’s Medical Center is the first and only hospital in Hawaii to achieve Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet recognizes excellence in nursing and is its highest institutional honor for hospital excellence.

We see you, front line heroes.

We see the long, perhaps understaffed and overwhelming shifts, and it is unknown how long these difficult times will last. We recognize the struggle and the time sacrificed with loved ones to serve and protect our community. For that, we thank you for your hard work, selflessness, compassion and care for others.

It is because of you we can work towards a safer and healthier Hawaii.

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PALI MOMI MEDICAL CENTER

What facility do you work at?

Pali Momi Medical Center in the telemetry unit How long have you been a nurse?

11 years

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n the early 1980s, Dr. Joseph “Joe” Nishimoto returned to Hawaii from the mainland to practice medicine in Aiea and Pearl City.

As the community grew, he envisioned a local, state-ofthe-art hospital so Leeward families would not have to drive into town for medical care. That vision became a reality when Pali Momi Medical Center opened its doors on July 31, 1989. Today, Pali Momi continues to provide award-winning care to thousands of patients each year.

That includes caring for patients during a world

health crisis that even Dr. Joe couldn’t foresee. Still, the team at Pali Momi responded quickly and continues to adapt as needed more than a year into the pandemic. An integral part of that team at Pali Momi has been its nurses.

“Nurses are the epitome of the tremendous team spirit here at Pali Momi, and that has been even more evident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Brigitte McKale, vice president of patient services and chief nurse executive at Pali Momi.

A lot has changed for nurs-

es — from donning and doffing (putting on and taking off) the proper PPE before and after entering patients’ rooms, to the complexities of caring for and monitoring COVID patients. But it’s something they’ve adapted to and continue to be diligent about to help ensure the safety of themselves and their patients.

Another aspect of their normal environment that they have had to adjust to due to COVID-19 is not having patients’ family and friends around while a patient is hospitalized.

“Prior to the pandemic, the families of our patients were a big part of our team,” says McKale. “Loved ones can play a huge role in a patient’s treatment plan and recovery. We engaged with them daily and encouraged family participation. Unfortunately, that’s something that can’t be done in the same way anymore.”

Nurses have stepped in to help fill that void for many patients. They’re at the patient’s bedside providing as much comfort as possible and helping patients video chat with friends and fami-

What do you love most about your job?

HEATHER CASHMAN, RN

My favorite part about being a nurse is having the opportunity to make a real difference in the

lives of my patients, for the short time that I have them. This is often in the medical sense, but also in the chance I have to support them and their families emotionally through a very difficult moment in their lives. I feel very privileged to be a part of this challenging, rewarding and humbling profession.

ly. And in the heartbreaking moments when all interventions have been exhausted and a patient is facing their final moments, nurses are often there to hold their hands and help bring both the patient and their loved ones peace.

Despite these challenges, one positive that has come out of the pandemic is the increased spirit of teamwork and collaboration.

“Everyone working together is of the utmost importance to ensure our patients receive the best care,” says McKale.

In Celebration of You! Join Hawai‘i-ANA

Saturday, May 8th, 2021 “EVOLVING HEALTHCARE: FUTURE RN ROLES” featuring Local Nurse Leaders

Discussing “Role of the Nurse Navigator: Medical Aid in Dying” “Population Health: Proactive Solutions for Healthy Outcomes” With a Virtual Networking Event to Follow Register online hawaii-ana.nursingnetwork.com | 808-450-3352

Katie Kemp, RN-BC, BAN

President, Hawai‘i - American Nurses Association president@hawaii-ana.org 808-450-3352

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KAUAI VETERANS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

What facility do you work at?

Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital as the regional infection preventionist

BY CAROLINE WRIGHT

GINA FERN BSN, RN

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ver the years, the role of a modern nurse has expanded far beyond the job as it was defined in the early 20th century.

Modern nurses receive extensive education, assume far more responsibilities and are considered respected professionals by others in the medical community.

They’re now employed by teaching colleges, in health departments, on the staffs of resorts and sports teams, in clinics as nurse practitioners, by schools and corporations, and much more.

Cheryl Tennberg, who began her nursing career at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in 1990, actually served as head nurse of obstetrics at the hospital early in her career.

She now oversees nursing practice for Hawaii Health Systems Corp. (HHSC), which includes KVMH, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapaa, and the Kauai Region Clinics in Kalaheo, Kapaa, Poipu, Port Allen and Waimea.

“Back in the day, we used to say that a nurse is not a nurse is not a nurse,” she says.

“Each one of them has a

specialty: obstetrics, intensive care, and so on. They each have their own special role. There are a million different types of nurses out there, and they all have their own calling.”

How long have you been a nurse?

Over 20 years

What do you love most about your job?

I wanted to do something in my career that is challenging, interesting and makes a difference in people’s lives daily.

In the nursing profession, you deal with many aspects of patient care, and I enjoy the variety in the routine. As an infection preventionist, I coordinate infection control programs, develop new methods to train clinical practitioners on how to prevent the spread of infection and monitor and analyze the effectiveness of these methods.

What facility do you work at?

The Clinic at Waimea How long have you been a nurse?

I have been a registered nurse

REVEEN GARCIA RN

for 12 years, and with HHSC-Kauai Region Clinics for the last seven.

What do you love most about your job?

I get to meet and care for people of all ages. Recently, I was able to play an integral role in vaccinating many of our beloved kupuna.

“Her efforts, as part of the vaccination team, is directly resulting in protecting the Kauai community from the current COVID-19 pandemic,” adds her manager.

Special calling, expanded roles Known by locals as KVMH, the hospital isn’t actually a medical facility specifically

for veterans. From its early origins as a sugar plantation dispensary circa 1938, the facility grew into a proper hospital to meet the needs

of a growing Garden Island community. Named in honor of veterans who served in the Korean War, it opened its doors in February 1957.

With 45 beds total, KVMH offers full-service emergency and critical care services, medical and surgical services (including specialty ophthalmology surgery), intensive care, gynecology, family and internal medicine, and pediatrics, as well as its renowned obstetrics services.

Nursing care at KVMH is provided by a team of 78

registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. Eileen Nakaahiki, who has been at KVMH for 30 years, oversees the surgical nursing team; while the OB nursing team at the Waimea hospital is managed by Jenneen Ragasa.

“There’s wonderful nursing leadership at KVMH,” says Tennberg. “They’re committed to our mission: to create

MAY 2021

KAUAI VETERANS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

a positive patient experience and really provide quality care. We like to think of the patient as extended family, and we try to provide the best care we can for them. And in rural areas like ours, our nurses are having to expand their scope and do more.”

help people get vaccinated,” says Tennberg. “It’s a positive experience. People are so happy to be able to get a vaccination. It’s a good place to get your cup refilled.”

Because the nurses are of-

Get your cup refilled Starting in January, all of Kauai’s hospitals — both KVMH and Mahelona in the HHSC group, as well as Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue — began holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics, which include drive-thru testing,

community vaccinations and subsequent clinical observation, and collection of statistical data for submission to state and federal regulatory agencies.

“It’s a place to give back to the community and show we’re doing all we can to

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ten administering vaccines to people they’ve met, they’re able to offer reassurances to some who might be anxious about it.

“Living and working in a rural community closely con-

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nects you to your patients and their families,” Tennberg comments. “You may know the patient or someone they are related to. It is a privilege to be entrusted to care for them.”

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BY CAROLINE WRIGHT

I

n 1917, when the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital opened its doors to receive its first patients, a reporter breathlessly described the setting: a “wonderful view in all directions … the marvelous panorama of land and sea spread out before one.”

The view is still magnificent, but much about Mahelona has changed in the past century, and more is on the horizon. Recent modernization of the long-term care unit and a nursing station have taken place, and renovations are planned for the critical access unit, a second nursing station and the behavioral health unit.

Its grounds also received a much-welcomed update, as did the surrounding roads and parking lot.

MAY 2021

And once again, as it was described when it was brand new, Mahelona has a “superb outlook,” with the same lovely vistas that have provided comfort to patients in long-term care for more than 100 years.

“It has the best view of all the hospitals on the island, I’d say,” says Cheryl Tennberg, who has worked as a nurse on Kauai for over four decades. “All the long-term care windows facing that way have an ocean view.”

Long-term care for mind and body Mahelona provides longterm care for patients with behavioral health issues, and long-term care for those with lingering physical illnesses as well. Some people mistakenly assume that the hospital offers only behavioral long-term care.

What facility do you work at?

Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital How long have you been a nurse?

FLORDELINA QUIACUSAN, RN

I graduated in 1989 and relocated to Hawaii in 2005. I became a registered nurse in 2005.

What do you love most about your job?

I enjoy interacting with my residents and feel rewarded if they are able to go home after some rehabilitative time under my care. I love seeing them happy and comfortable.

SAMUEL MAHELONA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

According to Tennberg, this is a common misperception.

“We’ve become a safety net for the island, in that when people need a place to go, we’ll be the hospital that takes them,” she says.

“We often get patients with challenging cases, like dementia and some behavioral issues — patients who want to walk and walk and walk, or who don’t get along well with others.”

Such patients, Tennberg explains, are a tremendous challenge for many nursing homes and other hospitals, which simply don’t have the staff to manage them closely.

“They’re a challenge for us, too; we often have to do oneto-one nursing to make sure we keep them safe, and the

other residents safe, too,” she says. “Our nurses have really done a wonderful job.”

Helping to keep the community safe Built as a memorial to Joseph Mahelona, the son of Emma Kauikeolani Wilcox who died when he was just 28, Mahelona was originally founded to treat pulmonary tuberculosis. Now an 80-bed critical access hospital, Mahelona boasts a long-term care unit, a behavioral health unit, a 24-hour emergency room, and acute and outpatient services. The hospital also offers rehabilitation services; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; social services; and radiology.

As regional chief nurse executive for Hawaii Health

Systems Corp., Tennberg oversees the practices of 42 nurses at Mahelona, 81 nurses at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, and 14 nurses at HHSC’s Kauai Region Clinics in Kalaheo, Kapaa, Poipu, Port Allen and Waimea.

“I’m very proud to work with all of these nurses,” Tennberg says. “They go above and beyond. They get creative to make sure that people are safe in the community, and they provide good care to them when they’re at the hospital.”

Before the advent of the coronavirus, long-term care residents who were able to participate enjoyed activities planned by recreational therapist Josie Pablo.

“Our long-term care residents have participated in the veterans parade and bon dances and community outings,” says Tennberg.

The pandemic has made everything a little challenging, but “holo-holo” bus tours still happen, as do drive-by birthdays and other

contactless activities.

Along with Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue and KVMH in Waimea, Mahelona began holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics early this year. So far, neither Mahelona nor KVMH have admitted any patients with active COVID cases to their facilities.

“But we still have to be prepared for it and go through the same challenges, as far as protection, supplies and screening,” says Tennberg.

“We’ve basically kept the long-term care units closed, and we’ve allowed visitation with our patients’ loved ones through Plexiglas. We try to include families, though it’s harder with COVID.” The nursing staff has taken these precautions, she explains, to avoid the tragic pandemic infections that have swept through so many long-term care facilities.

“With COVID, I think our nurses have done a wonderful job,” Tennberg says.

“I think we’ve really shined in keeping people safe.”

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NURSES MONTH

In Honor of Nurse’s Week, Kaua`i Hospice recognizes the compassionate care and commitment of our hard working Nurses.

Hearts of Service

Tobias “Toby” Brown, RN, CHPN

Leslie Kilcoyne, RN

Karen Daly, MSN, RN, PHN, CHPN

Annie Meredith-Mitchell, MSN, RN, CHPN

Chelsea “Nani” Domingcil, APRN

Joanna Nishimura, RN

Juliana Grigorova, RN, CHPN, CRHCF

Kathleen Schildhouse, RN, CHPN

Rachel “Cody” Hubbard, RN

Debra Spung, MSN, RN

Miriam Imai, RN

Jessica Tatsuda-Merrell, BSN, RN, CHPN

Ken Jopling, RN

www.kauaihospice.org

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MAY 2021

WILCOX HEALTH

What facility do you work at?

Wilcox Medical Center in the emergency department How long have you been a nurse?

W

i l cox H e a l t h , which comprises Wilcox Medical Center and Kauai Medical Clinic, has been a part of the community for more than 80 years. It began because of a need and continues today to ensure its providing for the health care needs of the community.

Founded in 1938, Wilcox Medical Center is a not-forprofit medical center dedicated to providing accessible, quality health care. The largest medical center on Kauai, it is a state-of-the-art acute care facility with a full suite

Chelsea Bisarra, RN Wellness Director

of services offering over 30 specialties and programs. Its 20-bed emergency department serves as the island’s Primary Stroke Center. The medical center also has four birthing suites, seven intensive care beds and 20 sameday surgery beds. Wilcox is the first American College of Surgeons-verified Level III Trauma Center in the state.

Kauai Medical Clinic is the island’s largest multispecialty medical group, offering primary and specialty care at clinic locations in Eleele, Kapaa, Koloa and Lihue, and an Urgent Care Clinic in Lihue.

Linda Rozelle, RN

“Our mission is to create a healthier Hawai‘i, and as Kauai’s largest medical center, we are committed to ensuring residents have access to quality medical care right here at home,” says Anne Foss-Durant, vice president of patient services and chief nurse executive for Wilcox.

That commitment to providing quality care is even more important during the pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Kauai has been extremely fortunate to have a relatively low amount of cases, with only a few hospitalizations.

Cindy Phillips, RN

Jennifer Agno,RN

As the community reopens, hospitals on Kauai are wellequipped and prepared to care for coronavirus patients, as well as all of the health care needs of the community.

One of the reasons Kauai is well prepared is because of its health care workers, including nurses, who we are proud to recognize during this National Nurses Week celebration.

“Our nurses are dedicated to caring for our community, with many of them having grown up here on Kauai,” says Foss-Durant. “Their passion and commitment to the health and well-being of our

19 years

ANA CAYABYAB, RN

What do you love most about your job?

Making a difference in someone’s health and saving lives day in and day out!

community is inspiring.”

From assisting with coronavirus testing at Wilcox’s drive-up specimen collection site to helping to get shots in arms at the vaccination clinic, nurses have been called upon for a variety of tasks during this pandemic. Despite any challenges they may face, they have remained steadfast in their commitment to pro-

viding the best care possible for patients and their families.

“There are so many wonderful testimonies on the work that our nurses do,” says Foss-Durant. “I am proud to recognize all of our nurses who embody excellence in the profession and serve our patients and community with integrity, compassion and care.”

MAY 2021

KAISER PERMANENTE LIHUE CLINIC

NURSES MONTH

21

Where do you work?

Kaiser Permanente Lihue Clinic How long have you been a nurse?

Nine years

T

he Kaiser Permanente nurses at the Lihue Clinic work as a coordinated team to make sure each patient receives the right care at the right time, no matter how complex a patient’s needs may be. A care plan can look like a puzzle of specialists, labs, referrals and prescriptions, but these nurses are there to coordinate each piece.

The past year introduced many challenges that required nurses to be adaptable and flexible — shifting to virtual care when in-person visits were restricted, being a reassuring shoulder for patients navigating new ways of accessing care, and alleviating stress that comes with unfamiliarity.

Nurses step up to connect with patients and provide the care and comfort they need in spite of the separation COVID-19 has caused.

“Our nurses are wholeheartedly commited to serving and caring for others,” says Greg Christian, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii health plan

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CINDY LABRADOR, BSN, RN

What do you love about your job?

My role is an RN administrator in a primary care medical office. While I deeply love and still do a lot of direct patient care, I have discovered there is an even greater reward working behind the scenes.

My favorite thing about my profession is working with an interdisciplinary team to assist patients with complex medical needs. Navigating health care can be difficult and overwhelming for both patients and health care workers.

Some cases require extensive coordination with specialists, imaging, referrals, pharmacy, social work and more. There is an extensive amount of work required to ensure these patients get excellent care and not fall through the cracks.

I love taking on these complex cases and helping patients feel safe and important while easing the stress of my very busy team of physicians and nurses.

and hospitals. “It’s amazing how hard they work while still showing up every day with a smile on their face, care in their heart, and a look of determination in their eyes.”

A nurse’s role does not stop at “health care professional,” it also means walking hand-in-hand with a patient, listening and providing hope and comfort in times of need.

Through all the challenges and sacrifices that come

with being a frontline health care worker during a pandemic, nurses continue to show patience and empathy in gestures both big and small. They rise up to meet every obstacle head-on, while continuing to prioritize patients’ comfort and happiness, often without any recognition.

“Our nurses are endlessly humble and hardworking,” says John Yang, MD, president and medical director of Hawaii Permanente Medi-

cal Group. “I often find them spending time and checking in on patients outside their shifts, just because they have a sincere interest in every patient’s recovery.”

No matter how busy they are, Kaiser Permanente’s team of nurses always go above and beyond to deliver high-quality care and lift spirits wherever possible.

Tasked with great responsibility, these nurses embody compassion and strive to care for their patients like

family. Their generosity, effort and dedication are the glue holding the Kaiser Permanente ohana together.

“Our nurses are heroes, in every sense of the word and in every fiber of their being,” adds Yang.

K a i s e r P e r m a n e n t e ’s nurses have received num e ro u s a c c o l a d e s f o r patient and family care, including being named Hawaii’s top-rated health plan according to the National Committee for Quality As-

surance (NCQA).

“We are so grateful for our nurses and the invaluable support they provide to our members, friends and families across the state,” adds Christian.

In honor of National Nurses Week, running May 6-12, Kaiser Permanente encourages patients, family members and friends to take a moment to thank a hardworking nurse and let them know that their dedication does not go unnoticed.

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M AY 2 0 2 1

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M AY 2 0 2 1

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NURSES MONTH

23

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NURSES MONTH

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M AY 2 0 2 1

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M AY 2 0 2 1

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NURSES MONTH

We salute our dedicated and courageous Nurses, and wish them all a Happy Nurses Week!

Locations NEW LOCATION

Waterfront Plaza 500 Ala Moana Blvd.

Suite 6-230 Honolulu, HI 96813 Telemedicine visits also available.

Jon Fukumoto MD

Melvin Palalay MD

Phone: (808) 524-6115 Fax: (808) 528-1711 www.HawaiiCancerCare.com

98-1247 Kaahumanu St. Suite 106 Aiea, HI 96701 Telemedicine visits also available.

David Tamura MD

Ashley Springer APRN

Judy Ko APRN

Arnold Yee MD

Bryce Montalbo APRN

Phone: (808) 539-2273 Fax: (808) 379-4799 www.HawaiiCancerCare.com

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MAY 2021

HAWAII - AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION

Angel Perez Pali Momi Medical Center A nurse for 17 years

“My favorite thing about being a registered nurse is working with people.

I love being able to connect one-on-one with my patients as I care for them.”

BY NICOLE MONTON

H

awaii boasts more than 17,000 registered nurses across

its island chain, an impressive statistic considering the state’s small size. And although these health care workers all excel in different specialties at a number of medical institutions, there is an organization that unites them all under a national venture that provides them with an extra level of support.

Hawaii - American Nurses Association is the state’s pro-

fessional organization of registered nurses, and although a relatively new one — it officially launched in December 2019 — it’s ready to serve the state’s thousands of nurses.

“Hawaii - American Nurses Association is the newest state nurses association as a constituent of American Nurses Association,” explains Katie Kemp, RN-BC, BAN,

Haley DeForest Maui Memorial Medical Center

A nurse for 3 1/2 years

“My favorite aspect of nursing is seeing patients recover and go home, and knowing in some small way I was able to touch their life in a positive way by providing help and support when they most needed it.”

president of Hawaii - American Nurses Association.

Its main goal is to advocate for Hawaii’s nurses in whatever way possible, something the organization does extremely well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii - ANA worked with the largest nurses union in the state, Hawaii Nurses Association OPEIU Local 50, to advocate for our local health care facilities to standardize PPE reuse and allocation to protect our nurses and other health care professionals. Additionally, Hawaii - ANA was the lead in bringing a coalition of nursing

organizations to the table for the state’s Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Task Force.

Prior to Hawaii - ANA acting on this, only one nursing organization was involved in comparison to 15-plus physician groups and other health care organizations. This is important because nurses are often the first person a patient interacts with. Therefore, nurses need to be involved in how to educate our population on the vaccines, and how to create strategic plans that ensure the fastest and most efficient vaccine administra-

tion delivery model is used.

Representatives also lobby for the nursing profession and Hawaii’s health care systems.

“You see us in the legislature,” adds executive director Linda Beechinor, DNP, APRN. “When there’s bills, everything from homelessness to scope of practice, and medical aid in dying bills, we follow all of those in the session and work with the Legislature. The goal is to improve health care access across our islands and promote healthy living.”

Learn more at hawaii-ana. nursingnetwork.com.

MAY 2021

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA SCHOOL OF NURSING AND DENTAL HYGIENE

T

o address the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene collaborated with the state departments of education and health, and we have taken steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Local Community Two powerful weapons against COVID-19 are contact tracing and vaccinations. SONDH developed online training materials for the DOH’s contact tracing training program and vaccination point of distribution volunteers.

GARY GLAUBERMAN,

PH.D., RN, PHNABC, NHDP-BC Assistant professor and advanced population health nursing program director A nurse for 11 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Sharing that passion for care with nursing students.”

MICHELE LANI BRAY,

DNP, RN,PHNA-BC

Assistant professor A nurse for over 32 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“I learned early on in my career the positive impact nurses can make and how essential they are to the community.”

Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Many school-aged keiki do not have access to health services, which led SONDH and HIDOE to create the Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn program.

When the pandemic oc-

curred, services rapidly expanded to include a health hotline and telehealth service. Most recently, HIDOE expanded the program to add 15 registered nurses to serve as COVID resources and health experts to schools.

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University of Hawaii SONDH has also operated two vaccination points of distribution led by the DOH. SONDH participated in the vaccination of nursing, med-

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ical, pharmacy, and allied health students and faculty from three UH campuses, and student nurses have served as vaccinators at Leeward CC and other PODs.

DEBORAH MATTHEUS, PH.D., APRN-RX, CPNP Associate professor and Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn senior practice director A nurse for 35 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Being there to support, care for and educate families when children are ill and also to provide health education and anticipatory guidance to keep children healthy.”

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MAY 2021

KAISER PERMANENTE

Where do you work?

Kaiser Permanente Mapunapuna Clinic How long have you been a nurse?

36 years

T

ime spent in a hospital or health care facility can feel stressful, lonely and disheartening, especially during the COVID-19 pan-

they’ve swabbed and provided reassurance as patients cope with the stress of a potentially deadly disease diagnosis, and now, they are vaccinating the

showing up every day with a smile on their face, care in their heart and a look of determination in their eyes.”

A nurse’s role does not stop at “health care pro-

THERESA DANG Theresa Dang, a registered nurse for the past nine years and currently with Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center’s emergency department, jumped at the opportunity to help on the front lines of Southern California’s COVID-19 surge earlier this year.

“I feel like it’s something I’m supposed to do, especially since I’m a nurse,” says Dang. “I want to help people. I need to be where it’s really bad and do my part.”

When the Kaiser Permanente hospital she was working at in California filled to capacity, patients had to be sent home with care instructions and monitoring apps. This eye-opening experience left a mark on her.

“I learned to appreciate everything, especially in the now,” Dang says.

demic when visitors are limited. In these dark moments, nurses step up without hesitation to provide the comfort and kindness needed to heal the body and spirit.

K a i s e r P e r m a n e n te ’s team of more than 1,300 nurses has held phones and tablets up to the bedside so isolated patients can connect with family and friends,

masses in hopes of putting this pandemic behind us.

“Our nurses are wholeheartedly committed to serving and caring for others, even if it means risking their lives on a daily basis,” says Greg Christian, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii health plan and hospitals. “It’s amazing how hard they work while still

fessional.” It also means walking hand-in-hand with a patient along the road to recovery. They listen to patients, individualize their care, and provide hope and comfort in times of need.

Through all the challenges and sacrifices that come with being a frontline health care worker during a global pandemic, nurses continue

BRITTNEY GRAY For Brittney Gray, making a difference in her patients’ lives drives her to help where she’s needed most. A registered nurse for the past 11 years and currently at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center’s medical surgery oncology department, Gray traveled twice to California, where she grew up, to serve on the frontlines during the state’s COVID-19 surges last year. This firsthand experience at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in California instilled a sense of gratitude and confirmed Gray’s commitment to helping others.

“The littlest interaction you have with somebody can change your life forever,” says Gray. “I’m thankful that I can make a difference.”

to show patience and empathy in gestures both big and small. They rise up to meet every obstacle headon, while continuing to prioritize patients’ comfort and happiness, often without any recognition.

“Our nurses are endlessly humble and hardworking,” says John Yang, MD, president and medical director of Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “I often find them spending time and checking in on patients outside their shifts, just because they have a sincere interest in every patient’s recovery.”

No matter how busy they are, Kaiser Permanente’s team of nurses always goes above and beyond to deliver high-quality care and lift spirits wherever possible. Tasked with great responsibility, these nurses embody compassion and strive to care for their patients like family. Their generosity, effort and dedication are the glue holding the Kaiser Permanente ohana together.

“Our nurses are heroes, in every sense of the word and in every fiber of their being,” adds Yang.

Kaiser Permanente’s nurses have received numerous accolades for patient and family care, including: • H awa i i ’s to p - ra te d health plan according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) • Hawaii’s only Medicare 5-Star plan according to the Centers for Medicare &

What do you love about your job?

LINDA CORDOVA

When a patient expresses appreciation for my assistance as I walk them through a stressful medical issue, then

I know I am making a difference in the lives of my patients.

I like being able to work part of a team not just within my current department, but with other staff throughout the region. I’ve also been able to continually learn as I have moved from different positions — both in-patient, in clinics and in my work with computers.

Where do you work?

Kaiser Permanente Mapunapuna Clinic (pediatric specialties and genetics) How long have you been a nurse?

24 years

SUMMER MIRANDA

What do you love about your job?

My favorite part of being

a nurse is caring for others and having the kindness and compassion shown be remembered by patients and their families. As a pediatric nurse, the relationships and bonds are often throughout childhood and up to young adulthood. The journeys through triumphs and defeats together is what makes nursing so rewarding. It warms my heart like nothing else.

Medicaid Services • Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke and Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association • 11 consecutive A grades from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

“We are so grateful for our nurses and the invalu-

able support they provide to our members, friends, and families across the state,” adds Christian.

In honor of National Nurses Week, running May 6-12, Kaiser Permanente encourages patients, family members and friends to take a moment to thank a hardworking nurse and let them know that their dedication does not go unnoticed.

MAY 2021

KAPIOLANI MEDICAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN

Q

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What facility do you work at?

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children How long have you been a nurse?

I started working at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women &

ueen Kapiolani established the Kapiolani Maternity Home in 1890 to ensure the women and children of Hawaii had access to proper, quality health care. Though the queen had no children of her own, she cherished the Hawaiian concept of ohana and the role mothers played in nourishing, rearing and caring for their families.

As we celebrate the important work of nurses during National Nurses Week, the concept of ohana and those nurturing qualities that Queen Kapiolani admired are em-

bodied today in our team of nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

“Nursing is a team sport and we are blessed to have nurses who work well together and take care of each other,” says Mavis Nikaido, vice president of patient services and chief nurse executive. “We have a professional group of nurses who put our patients first.

They are highly skilled, and many of them have additional professional certifications in their area of specialty.”

One of those nurses is Annette Krieger, who has been a nurse at Kapiolani for 27

years. As a nurse in the Family Birth Center, Krieger has had the honor of being part of one of the biggest milestone moments for thousands of families — the birth of a child.

“At the Family Birth Center, I have had the opportunity to watch many nurses, doctors and managers ‘grow up’ and be strong leaders in the community,” says Krieger. “I am proud of our staff that work so hard to keep our community safe and current with the times. We are continually looking for ways to improve so that we can take great care of our patients.”

While Krieger helps bring new life into the world at Kapiolani, she also works at another medical center in the oncology outpatient clinic where she assists patients faced with what could be the end of their lives.

“Annette has that unique perspective of working with patients at some of their happiest times and at some of their most difficult times,” says Nikaido. “She is a great leader in an informal way, always positive and nurturing, and always doing her best to not only take care of her patients but also the staff.”

Thank you, nurses!

B i a nurse ttakes Being k d dedication, di ti resilience ili and d compassion. i Behind the mask is a nurse or a nursing student committed to delivering safe, quality care to the people of Hawai‘i.

As the #1 most trusted profession - nurses make the world a better place.

Thank you for everything you do. www.nursing.hawaii.edu

Children in 1994.

ANNETTE KRIEGER, RN

What do you love most about your job?

I wanted to connect to people on a deeper level and I figured that

by being a nurse I could do that with people when they are at their most vulnerable. As a nurse in Kapiolani’s Family Birth Center, I have been a part of thousands of deliveries and I am still amazed when a baby enters the world.

Nikaido recognizes Krieger and all of Kapiolani’s nurses for always coming to work, especially during the challenges of the past year with the pandemic, with one thing in mind — to do their very best as professionals to provide safe, quality care for patients.

She also encourages them to take care of themselves.

“Nurses always prioritize our patients, but it’s important for them to take care of their own well-being so they can continue to be there for each other, their families, our patients and community.”

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he importance of Hawaii’s public health nurses is often overlooked. While they may not be in traditional health care settings, they are out and about, touching individual lives to ultimately improve the health of the entire community. You’ll find them in schools and working with kupuna, immigrants and migrants, and those who may have been marginalized. Kaikai, the Hawaiian word that describes “to lift up,” describes the way the Hawaii Department of Health’s statewide team of public health nurses approaches care for those

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MAY 2021

STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Gloria Fernandez, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC Hawaii Department of Health, Public Health Nursing Branch A nurse for 19 years

“My favorite thing about being a public health nurse is working with and in communities. Communities have powerful voices and there is much to learn from them about their health and what is healthy to them when we listen and understand their culture.”

who have difficulty navigating the mainstream health care system.

“We listen before we respond,” says Joan Takamori, who joined the Department

of Health in 1987 and currently serves as chief of the public health nursing branch.

“We ask for permission to offer help, we listen and we ask how we can help instead of

telling them what they need to do. Building relationships is at the heart of what we do. We combine their community knowledge with our health knowledge to deliver true individual- and community-centered care. We help lift them up through their own voice. ” Takamori says the public health nurses are intensely aware that Hawaii’s mix of cultures, “sense of place,” and the historical significance of different geographical areas are critical in determining how they engage with people.

“We ‘talk story’ to learn their view of what health means to

them. Our approach is different depending on whether from Hanalei to Waianae to

Kau,” Takamori says. “Our ultimate goal is to connect people to health resources in the

John Cheetham, BSN, RN Hawaii Department of Health – Maui District Health Office A nurse for seven years

“I have had the privilege of working with a team of inspirational nurses, selfless volunteers and public health professionals that put the well-being of the community before themselves. Over the past year, they have shown strength through adversity.

It has been an honor to work with all of them in our efforts to help our community throughout the course of the pandemic.”

Palolo Praises Its Heroes: Our Nurses

To our ohana of nurses, we truly appreciate all that you do for our kupuna and the community. Your continued dedication to provide Better Care for our residents does not go unnoticed and our PCH team knows we could not do what we do without you!

2459 10th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 www.ohanapacific.com

palolohome.org • (808) 737-2555

We are always lookin g for new heroes to join our ohana.

If you are intereste d, email hr@palolohome.org.

@paololochinesehome

MAY 2021

STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

community so that they can receive the care they need.”

One of the many ongoing initiatives of the public health nurses is outreach to kupuna to help with fall prevention, one of the major reasons for emergency department visits

and hospitalizations. After experiencing falls, many kupuna have multiple challenges in recovering. They have also done outreach to enroll Molokai kupuna in Medicaid and showed them how to access available health services.

The public health nurses have also played a key role in supporting communities through emergency management and control of communicable disease by reaching deeply into hard-to-reach communities during the

dengue fever outbreak, volcano eruption and hurricanes among others.

Using the same collaborative approach, the public health nurses were key to bringing multiple federal, state and city government agencies, community health clinics, nonprofits, churches and others together to reach families in public housing with information to protect themselves during the pandemic.

“It takes a village,” says Gloria Fernandez, a registered nurse and quality assurance coordinator, who was inducted into the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018.

“The collaboration was wonderful, with everyone bringing their expertise together … This is what it’s supposed to be like … I don’t want

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this collaboration to end!”

The community collaboration hasn’t ended. Public health nurses are now focused on COVID-19 vaccinations, and outreach to those

NURSES MONTH

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that need the most help.

The need for good listeners and authentic care continues, and Hawaii’s public health nurses are successfully filling that role.

Rialyn N. Menor, BSN, RN Hawaii Department of Health - Kauai District Health Office A nurse for 17 years

“On the island I call home, I get to provide nursing services not only to individuals but also their families, neighbors and everyone else who is important to them. My passion is to continue to strive for healthier communities where everyone has the means to be able to live longer, equitable and happier lives. I believe sharing this same vision with our community partners and leaders has been the ultimate success factor that makes Kauai a unique gem. By looking at health through the eyes of others of various cultures, we can aspire to set goals for their well-being.”

C E L E B R AT I N G

OUR NURSES

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Join us as we celebrate and honor our outstanding nurses who continue to work tirelessly on the frontlines caring for our loved ones without hesitation. They are heroes every day, but now more than ever, they deserve all the praise.

Send an e-card to share your gratitude! mauihealth.org/mahalo Maui Memorial Medical Center Maui Memorial Outpatient Clinic Kula Hospital and Clinic Lāna‘i Community Hospital

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he moment we are born, many of us have our first encounter with a nurse. We continue to have experiences with nurses throughout our lives, in the hospital or doctor’s office.

Although we may not like to think about it, many of us will also have a nurse present in the final months or weeks of our lives. St. Francis Healthcare System believes those precious times can be the most rewarding, transformative experiences for patients and their families. That’s why the nurses of St. Francis Healthcare System play such a big role in hospice care.

Ian Taylor, a family nurse practitioner and an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a master’s degree in nursing from University of Hawaii at Manoa, says: “No one wants to face the physical challenges of a life-limiting disease on their own, while also contending with fears of uncertainty. It can be a surreal, unsettling experience. Our nurses, in collaboration with our team of doctors, social workers, spiritual counselors,

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aides and volunteers, bring a calming presence to provide the best quality of life for our patients and their families.”

Taylor, who recently celebrated his fifth anniversary with St. Francis, currently focuses on providing hospice care in patients’ homes.

His colleague Ryanne Nakamoto, who also is a family nurse practitioner and holds a master’s degree in nursing from University of Hawaii at Manoa, focuses on caring for patients who may need support in the Franciscan CARE Plus program.

“Our CARE Plus team removes stress from the equation, so that patients can focus all of their energy on getting better rather than being burdened with all of the emotional and financial challenges often associated with an illness,” Nakamoto says.

“We believe our role helps to facilitate healing and ultimately provide better health outcomes for patients.”

Melissa Ah Ho-Mauga, vice president – client services, who oversees the hospice and Franciscan CARE Plus

Karen J. Agustin, RN, BSN St. Francis Hospice in the inpatient unit A nurse for 22 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“My favorite part about being a nurse is having the opportunity to be able to remain home in Hawaii and care for our community. The sense of community and ohana can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It is truly the people that we care for and work with that make being a nurse so invaluable.”

ST. FRANCIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

program, among others, recognizes that the unique qualities of St. Francis Healthcare System’s nurses enables St. Francis to fill a vital niche in the community.

“I must admit, I’m guilty of not expressing how much I

appreciate our nursing team often enough,” she says.

“They, and all those on our team from the other disciplines, are truly special individuals and professionals, and hold themselves to high standards that have been

Hyo Jong Eunice Yano, RN St. Francis Hospice as a case manager (home hospice) A nurse for 20 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Becoming a compassionate nurse like Florence Nightingale has been my dream ever since fourth grade. My favorite thing about my profession is I can be loved and appreciated by almost all my patients and family when I provide care from depths of my heart. Second, I gain lots of wisdom and knowledge every day from my patients, families, doctors, chaplains, nurses aides and social workers. Finally, I can contribute something to the community and at the same time, I get paid.”

key to maintaining our distinction of being the only hospice program in Hawaii accredited by The Joint Commission.”

Ah Ho-Mauga adds the nurses also support nonclinical programs, including the

St. Francis Preschool in Ewa and the adult day care programs in Diamond Head, Ewa and Manoa.

“Their expertise adds another dimension of caring and really makes a difference in the lives of others,” she adds.

Angelita Ronduen, RN, BSN St. Francis Hospice as a quality assurance coordinator A nurse for 37 years

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Nurses get to be present for joyous moments in people’s lives, as well as times of despair. I’ve had opportunities to help people make informed decisions about treatments, and serve as an advocate when patients and family needed a shoulder to cry on. We are called upon to assess complex, stressful situations, and problem-solve quickly to help patients preserve their dignity and allow them to live in the least-restrictive setting.”

MAY 2021

SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN – HONOLULU

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How long have you been a nurse?

37 years What do you love about your job?

BY JAIMIE KIM FARINAS

My favorite thing about the profession is that it is so versatile.

A

trip to the doctor can be an intimidating experience no matter the age, so imagine the emotions running through a young child as they walk the hallways of a hospital. It’s precisely why families turn to Shriners Hospitals for Children – Honolulu, a safe haven for the littlest of patients.

The hospital specializes in bone, muscle, joint and sports injuries for pediatric patients in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific Basin, and none of it would be possible without the roughly 60 nurse practitioners, pediatric specialty nurses, surgical nurses, peri-operative nurses, clinic nurses, nurse care managers, telethealth co o rd i n ato r s , o u t re a c h nurses, navigation nurses, infection preventionists and documentation specialists who keep things running in tip-top shape.

“Shriners Honolulu offers the most amazing care anywhere,” says Anita Becker, director of patient care services/nurse executive. “To accomplish this, we provide

There are many types of work available to a nurse. My favorite

SUSAN YAMAMOTO, RN

thing about my role as telehealth coordinator is helping keiki and parents have “just in time” access to specialty care from the safety and convenience of their home.

How long have you been a nurse?

45 years. This August makes 24 years at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Honolulu.

our patients and families with unique wraparound care that is holistic and family-oriented in its approach.”

But it isn’t just about the day-to-day for Shriners nurses who have become acclaimed for going above and beyond their job descriptions, “consistently taking that extra step or putting in an extra bit of energy to create experience for our keiki that give them the confidence they need to live their best lives,” as Becker puts it.

One nurse, for example, recently brought in a miniature horse they care for to visit with patients. “ N u r s i n g exce l l e n ce

comes in the form of the extra time spent easing fears, wiping tears, and bringing a smile to the patient and family,” says Becker. “How we make our patients and families feel when they’re in our care is truly a priority for our Shriners Honolulu nurses.”

It’s not small feat, but one that Shriners Honolulu continues to excel at.

“Caring for keiki is what we do best,” says Becker.

“It is what we have been called to do for nearly 100 years here in Hawaii. Every pediatric nurse I have ever known is passionate about the well-being of children, and it is often identified as their life’s purpose.”

With this in mind, it’s no wonder that 2020 was named Year of the Nurse and Nurse Midwife. Because, while the rest of the world hunkered down in the midst of a pandemic, nurses throughout the world, including those at Shriners

Honolulu, approached the situation head-on.

“Nurses continue to stand on the frontlines of this health care crisis — innovating, creating, caring and fostering new ways to continue to care for those entrusted to us,” says Becker.

As Shriners Honolulu pushes on, Becker says that families still can rely on receiving top orthopedic and neurodevelopmental treatment should their child ever require surgery, physical or occupational therapy, radiology, orthotics and prosthetics workshop, and other services.

The facility even expanded the availability of its injury clinic, keeping it open 24 hours daily to treat everything from sprains and fractures to broken bones and other slight injuries, with services that include reduction, realignment, surgery, casting, and follow-up and rehabilitative care.

What do you love about your job?

I love working with the children. Seeing so many lives

DREMA GREEN, RN

are changed by receiving treatment at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Honolulu.

How long have you been a nurse?

44 years What do you love about your job?

As a pediatric nurse, I found nursing takes a lot of physical and emotional strength, and is always rewarding. Children

PAM CAREY-GOO, RN

and their families are amazingly brave and resilient. My colleagues have always been there for me whether it is help

with care of a patient or listening after I had a difficult day.

Camaraderie in nursing is real and makes working together a joy. For the last 15 years, I have been an infection preventionist. I help prevent and control the spread of infections at the hospital. With COVID-19, this last year has been challenging. I am proud that all my staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Honolulu rose to the occasion making the hospital safe for all.

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BY HILTON RAETHEL MPH, MHA PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII

L

ook at a nurse and you’ll see the fusion of intelligence, grit and compassion. As I think about the dedication and hard work that Hawaii’s nurses put into their jobs, I am filled with gratitude.

During Nurses Week, Healthcare Association of Hawaii pauses to formally recognize the thousands of women and men who work as nurses. We thank and acknowledge your enormous contributions to the health and wellness of our community.

Nurses have a wide range of roles, not all of which are at the bedside.

Some nurses are in public health; others focus on training and quality. Still others undertake administrative and leadership positions.

Th e l a t t i cewo r k o f nursing spans every medical setting — from acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, to nursing homes and patients’ homes through the home health care sector.

Th e ro l e o f n u r s e s has become much more visible as communities across the globe respond to the biggest pandemic in a century. When the coronavirus fi rst hit Hawaii, we were already in need of additional nurses.

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Nevertheless, our nurses faithfully carried out their duties while also navigating challenging new protocols in patient care.

The pandemic shone a spotlight on the challenges for nurses and health care workers, and we were encouraged to hear that some local college students changed their majors to pursue health care — and fi ght the coronavirus. Health care attracts resilient, committed people who care about others.

Throughout the pandemic, going back to March 7, 2020, Hawaii has had the lowest coronavirus death rate in the nation, as well as the lowest infection rate — which is no small accomplishment. Because of the state’s coordinated response to the pandemic, Hawaii is the safest place from COVID in the U.S., and our nurses have played a critical part in making that happen.

To support nurses, and increase the number of available nurses, HAH has been spearheading Hawaii’s Healthcare Workforce Initiative.

It is comprised of industrywide leaders, as well as some nontraditional partners from the business and education sectors.

Together, our aim has been to make it easier in Hawaii to enter and remain in health care professions, and for those people to advance in their careers.

HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII

In 2019, we published the state’s first industry-driven research report (available at hah. org).

It examines and makes recommendations for 76 patient-facing job positions, many of which are in nursing. Armed with data-driven, cross-sector initiatives, we’re working to help bolster and sustain critical health care p ro f e s s i o n s , s u c h a s nursing.

But this won’t happen in a bubble.

We know that progress in Hawaii happens because we’re able to sit down and talk with one another.

To Hawaii’s nurses. I humbly say thank you.

The entire state owes you a debt of gratitude. To Hawaii’s high school and college students choosing a field of study, I say, consider health care. We need you, and there are multiple career options to pursue.

And, to a very special health care employee, who started on a long, successful career as a nurse while still in high school, and who recently retired as the president of Adventist Health Castle — a nurse who also happens to be my wife — I say, well done.

Your life’s work has made a lasting impact through a very honorable, challenging and rewarding profession: nursing.

BY CHAD BROWNSTEIN, MBA, ADVENTIST HEALTH CASTLE

The blue-habited nursing nun comforted the 4-year-old girl.

It was a standard tonsillectomy that, back then, kept patients in the hospital for several days, but to that young girl, it was a new experience — her first surgery, her first overnight stay away from home, her first time being cared for by nurses.

A little over a decade later, the girl would spend another week

KATHY RAETHEL president of Adventist Health Castle

in the hospital. This time for appendicitis. This time, the plucky 17-year-old paid close attention to everything her caregivers did and how they did it. The skill and compassion that they exhibited inspired her to immediately find a nursing assistant job.

So, the teenager, Kathy Raethel (then Hewlett), while still in high school, began her nursing career. Those two early experiences called forth the caregiving potential in Kathy that would take her from an NA in a nursing home, to a hospital president, from helping patients with their activities of daily living, to leading Adventist Health Castle in receiving the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

After 45 years in health care, Raethel retired earlier this March. She fondly recalls those key moments that chronicle an illustrious life. There are the tears in her grandfather’s eyes at her graduation (she was the first in her family to receive a professional qualification with her degree). There is the hospital president that asked her to join his administration after less than a decade into her career. The role intimidated her, but the president took her under his wing.

“It really helped me understand how important being a role model and mentor can be to those we work with,” Raethel says.

There was the first time she visited Adventist Health Castle in 2001. It was a recruiting trip that she was resistant to. However, all it took was walking through the hospital doors for her to feel like she found a new home. The environment of aloha among the associates was apparent, and she knew she needed to experience more of it. Raethel’s family relocated to Hawaii. She rose through the C-suite and became Castle’s first female president in 2011.

While these leadership roles didn’t allow for much time at patients’ bedsides, Raethel is grateful for the time she spent on the frontlines.

“My favorite part of nursing is that we get to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable. We help patients and their families navigate some very complex experiences. We meet their needs and bring them health, wholeness and hope on their path to healing,” explains Raethel.

“The best nurses put you at ease while they lead the care team,” she continues. “Some of my personal experiences helped us frame the concept that ‘love matters’ at Adventist Health Castle.”

Raethel is referring to one of Castle’s core competencies that drives each aspect of what happens in the organization.

“Whether on the frontlines or behind the scenes, in administration, environmental services, imaging, finance, security or nursing, if love and aloha are guiding us, patients and family members can tell. It’s what drew me to Castle, what encouraged me into leadership and what inspired my entire career.”

MAY 2021

STRAUB MEDICAL CENTER

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What facility do you work at?

Straub Medical Center on the fourth floor unit How long have you been a nurse?

15 years

W

ith much less fanfare than one wo u l d u s u a l l y anticipate for a centennial celebration due to the pandemic, Straub Medical Center marked its 100th anniversary on Jan. 21.

Dr. George F. Straub conceived the idea of forming a group of physicians into a medical practice in order to provide better, more specialized care for patients, and in 1921, founded “The Clinic.”

Known today as Straub Medical Center, it includes a 159-bed medical center in Honolulu, a network of

neighborhood clinics and a visiting specialist program that reaches throughout the state. Straub’s team of health care professionals at all of its locations continues to be guided by Dr. Straub’s vision in delivering patient-centered care for the whole family.

During National Nurses Week, we are proud to shine a spotlight on our nurses for the critical role they play in upholding Straub’s legacy of medical firsts and serving the community, and for their commitment to our patients and their families, especially during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has tested our health care professionals in a way none of us has experienced before in our lifetime,” says Andrew Moats, vice president of patient services and chief nurse executive.

Nurses like Kawailehua Sims faced many uncertainties and questions when the pandemic first hit.

In recognizing Sims recently, a colleague reflected in writing on Sims’ compassion and dedication during one of the most challenging experiences nurses have faced.

“There have been several occasions where Kawai had

Compassion Caring Commitment Serving the Elderly and Disabled Communities of Hawaii since 2001

THANK YOU, to our heroes, such as: Doctors, Nurses, and all the frontline workforce that goes beyond the call of duty!

“PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM!” RN, LPN, CNA, & HHA

METROCARE HAWAII-PLUS OFFERS ISLAND WIDE HOMECARE SERVICES:

to inform family of a patient’s poor prognosis and walked them through the last moments of their loved ones life.

She has encouraged family to sit alongside their dying loved one and emphasized that touching and speaking to them was nothing to be frightened by. Being a nurse of 15 years, there are many things that she has seen. But the passing of a patient never gets easy.

“Dying alone is a fear that those hospitalized during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic faced. No visitors allowed was the new normal.

What do you love most about your job?

KAWAILEHUA SIMS, RN

I have the opportunity to make small connections with my patients, especially knowing that I am meeting them at one of

the worst times of their lives. If I can make their day a little brighter, I’m happy to do so.

“How do you react to a patient who is dying without someone by his side? It was simple. You now become his family and friend. You hold his hand. You tell him it’s going to be OK. You become the connection between patient and family.

“So Kawai called her pa-

tient by his first name because he was now family. She held his hand until he took his last breath and cried with family while they all said goodbye.”

Nursing has been described as both an art and a science, and it is moments like these that demonstrate the heart of the profession.

Mahalo to all members of the

Kuakini Health Care Team Thank you for your commitment to providing safe, high quality, and compassionate care to our

• Private Duty Nursing • Travel Companion • Multiple Sclerosis Care • Personal Care • Respite Care • Pre & Post Hospital Care • Homemaker • Live In/24-Hour Care

patients and residents during the

PAYMENT ACCEPTED:

We appreciate your dedication

• Private Pay • Long – Term Care Insurance • Medicaid Waiver Fee for Service (United Health Care, Kaiser, HMSA, Aloha Care, Ohana Health Plan

• ID/DD • Veteran’s Affairs (VA)

• Worker’s Compensation • Disability Insurance • Health Savings Plan • Reverse Mortgage Funds • Trust Funds • Hawaii County Office of Aging

For service inquiries, please contact us: Corporate Office: 808-934-8334 • OAHU: 808-678-8500* • 808-772-2685 MAUI: (808) 249-8888, or email us @ info@mch2001.com You can also visit our website: www.MCH2001.com

COVID-19 pandemic. to Kuakini’s 121-year legacy and Tradition of Caring.

www.kuakini.org

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We Love Our Nurses The Queen’s Health Systems salutes our more than 1,000 nursing professionals during National Nurses Week

www.queens.org The Queen’s Health Systems is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation