Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children

Are you gifted with numbers and have great financial instincts? You could be the ideal candidate for our Senior Financial Analyst position at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu. In this role, you will provide financial analysis and review of our operations to understand past and future performance; develop new programs and ensure the System’s financial viability over the short and long term. We are looking for someone detail-oriented and driven, with an appreciation for financial and operational integrity, and a commitment to delivering the highest quality health care to Hawaii’s people.

Hawaii Pacific Health employees enjoy competitive pay, health and dental insurance, paid vacation, opportunities for career advancement and professional development, and more.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/3SkMFmZ

Level up your fitness and get ready to step into a healthier new year because the iconic Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10K & 5K Fun Run will be back Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 at Kapiolani Park! 👟💪🏼 Join us for Hawaii's only all-female sanctioned race to get your fitness on – one stride at a time!

👟 Start time for the Women's 10K is 7 a.m.
👟 Start time for the 5K Fun Run is 7:20 a.m.

A virtual option is available for anyone who would like to complete either race on their own.

Register today at HPHWomens10K.org.

Back to school season is here and it's more than just buying new backpacks or notebooks. It's about preparing our keiki for a healthier school year! From managing sleep schedules to screen time, to staying up-to-date with physicals, Dr. Trudy Hong, a pediatrician at the Straub Medical Center - Pearlridge Clinic has you covered on this Hawaii News Now - Sunrise Healthier Hawaii segment.

Healthier Hawaii: Preparing your kids to go back to school Dr. Trudy Hong, a pediatrician at Straub Medical Center, breaks down some important things parents should keep in mind.

How does Kapiolani celebrate Panda Cares Day, a day dedicated to commemorating the anniversary of Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express? We have a party! 🎈🎉 Panda Express has been a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals partner since 2007 and at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, we love celebrating this partnership and the generosity of Panda associates and guests every day. 🐼💙

Join us in giving a big round of applause to our Employee of the Year - Excellence in Patient Centered Care and Patient Experience awardee, Patient Relations Manager Wendy Wailehua! 👏🏼 🎉 This award recognizes an employee who exhibits excellence in patient care which may include exceeding patient expectations, providing an exceptional patient experience and going above and beyond to advocate for patients. Wendy most definitely does all of these and more, according to Chris Robbins, case manager at Kapiolani.

“There is no explanation needed. I mean come on – it's Wendy!! You only need to count the times everyone reaches out to Wendy each day! I've always enjoyed working and collaborating together but since I became the Social Work interim manager, recently I was able to work even closer with Wendy.

“She is everyone's go-to for tricky patient related situations. She partners with the social workers to address complex cases. She is also the leader of a relatively new group of patient relation specialists. She is currently orienting several of them as well as dealing with the multiple issues of Kapiolani. Wendy handles an amazingly stressful job with grace and a wicked sense of humor. She is also an excellent patient advocate. Wendy is irreplaceable and I hope she is treated as such so she never chooses to go any where else!”

It's an honor to count you as one of our ohana, Wendy. Mahalo for all the wonderful things you do to help our patients and their families every day, and for creating a healthier Hawaii in your own special way!

Rising incidents of e-bike injuries, especially among children, are generating significant concern. To address this, Alissa Lo, trauma program manager at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, discusses prevalent e-bike injuries observed in young children in this Hawaii News Now - Sunrise Healthier Hawaii segment. Tune in now to hear more and get lifesaving e-bike safety tips to help keep you and your keiki injury-free.

Healthier Hawaii: What to know before riding an e-bike Alissa Lo is a registered nurse and the trauma program manager for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

If you are gifted with numbers and have great financial instincts, you could be the ideal candidate for our Senior Financial Analyst position at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu. In this role, you will provide financial analysis and review of our operations to understand past and future performance; develop new programs and ensure the System’s financial viability over the short and long term. We are looking for someone detail-oriented and driven, with an appreciation for financial and operational integrity, and a commitment to delivering the highest quality health care to Hawaii’s people.

Hawaii Pacific Health employees enjoy competitive pay, health and dental insurance, paid vacation, opportunities for career advancement and professional development, and more.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/3SkMFmZ

Celebrating July Most Valuable Team Player (MVTP), Launnies Schwarz, NICU Family Centered Care coordinator! 🎉

“Launnies took time to organize patient summaries to assist with a productive conversation during NICU multidisciplinary discharge rounds. She also assisted with a challenging special needs car seat follow-up after discharge through NICU follow up clinic,” says Eydie Nakasone, lead rehabilitation therapist. “She works to improve processes and is open to putting in the work to get things done. Launnies takes the time to talk to parents about readiness for discharge and she improves communication between rehab and other disciplines, making discharge for the patient and families seamless.”

The Hawaii Pacific Health MVTP program honors outstanding employees like Launnies whose dedication and commitment to creating a healthier Hawaii speak volumes beyond the walls of our medical centers and clinics. Mahalo, Launnies, for the exemplary work you do as a vital member of our care team every day for our patients and their families.

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children Hawaii’s leader in the care of women, infants and children since 1890. Like us for the latest news!

Meet Darcey Tsukamoto, our remarkable Employee of the Year Community Stewardship award recipient! This award recognizes an employee for participation in the community that contributes to Hawaii Pacific Health’s mission to create a healthier Hawaii. Darcey was nominated for this recognition by Kirsten Pennaz, Hawaii Pacific Health director of primary care clinic operations.

“As a 23-year HPH employee, Darcey is the manager of the Kapiolani WIC Program, a federally funded program that provides participant-centered quality care to improve the health of low-income women, infants and children up to 5 years of age who are at nutritional risk,” explains Kirsten. “Many of our Kapiolani patients participate with this WIC office which provides nearly 31,000 appointments over a year.

“Darcey's role encompasses providing direct client services while managing staff along with adherence to federal program regulations and budget. She plans strategically to meet or surpass both short term and long-term goals and consistently leads her department to guarantee participants received quality service through her committed team of registered dieticians, nutrition aides and breastfeeding counselors. She creates an environment where staff can do their best work so participants have their needs met.

“She leads by example with her dedicated work ethic, engagement and heartfelt compassion. Just as WIC provides resources and support for their participants, Darcey ensures her staff have resources to care for themselves and their families. Her leadership in WIC continues to be exemplary. We are grateful to Darcey for her continued contributions to create a healthier Hawaii!”

Give kids at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children the care they need. Step up to help kids by filling up an Ace Hardware this weekend, Aug. 2-4! Make a $5 donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and receive 20% off on almost anything that fits inside! ❤️💛💙

July marks National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month – an opportunity to highlight the distinctiveness of individuals with craniofacial conditions and foster understanding. Learn about the remarkable work by the Kapiolani Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic, where our dedicated team of specialists deliver comprehensive support to patients and their families – from prenatal consultations to long-term adult care.

Creating a Lifetime of Smiles for Children with Cleft & Craniofacial Conditions “Isolated orofacial clefts are one of the most common birth defects in the United States,” says Christine Johnston, a pediatric nurse practitioner at the Kapiolani Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic (KCCC).

We're excited to introduce you to our 2024 Employee of the Year Award recipients! Kyle Tadaki is recognized for Clinical Excellence, which recognizes an employee who has contributed positively to their work environment, including actively engaging in evidence-based practices, engaging in committees/teams to improve quality, demonstrating expertise in his/her area of specialty and acting as a role model for quality improvement.

Kyle was nominated for this honor by Myra Barriento because of his clinical excellence and exceptional service as a clinical pharmacist at Kapiolani. "In my longstanding working relationship I have had with Kyle in the last decade or so, I have consistently experienced the highest level of professionalism and dedication from him. His attention to detail when developing work processes, educating staff on medications and the wealth of wisdom he has when explaining the pharmacological mechanism of a new drug is beyond compare!

"Kyle consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that all members of our team are kept in the loop with current and medications. Whether it's patiently addressing questions about medications, providing invaluable advice on managing health conditions, or offering guidance on optimizing medication regimens, Kyle demonstrates a genuine commitment to the well-being of our patients, providing support to our medical and administrative teams during challenging situations and ensuring our organization is well prepared for any situation.

"In addition to Kyle's outstanding interpersonal skills with our medical and nursing teams, he possesses a profound depth of knowledge in pharmacy practice, ensuring that everyone receives accurate and up-to-date information regarding medications including keeping abreast of our latest stock on hand.

Kyle exemplifies the qualities of a great pharmacist—dedicated, knowledgeable, compassionate, and always willing to go the extra mile for our patients, our medical team and the entire organization."

Congratulations and thank you, Kyle, for setting the bar on excellence and for creating a healthier Hawaii!

The S*x Abuse Treatment Center (SATC), a program of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, not only provides medical care, crisis counseling and therapy for sexual assault survivors, but also works to prevent sexual violence and create positive change through public policy, awareness and education. Our SATC team is extremely proud to have been on hand earlier this month when Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, MD, signed Senate Bill 2601, which extends the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse to 32 years from the 18th birthday of child victims.

"This bill goes a long way in giving child abuse victims their voice to be heard, when they are ready to speak," said Lynn Costales Matsuoka, SATC executive director, who spoke during the ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol. "The S*x Abuse Treatment Center has remained steadfast in its commitment to get this legislation passed for several years, and we are grateful to all our government and community partners who supported this effort and remained undeterred."

The bill recognizes that children of sexual abuse often delay disclosure of sexual abuse, particularly when that abuse is perpetrated by a trusted adult. While we know many children come forward immediately, many do not for so many reasons. The bill allows children of sexual abuse to continue their journey of healing, which can take years, sometimes even decades. As adults, they will now have the time to carve out their path of recovery, make their own decisions on engagement with the judicial system and accountability of those responsible for the abuse, whether the individual, or institution enabled the abuse.

Congratulations to our SATC team for their hard work and unwavering commitment to advocating on behalf of all sexual assault survivors in Hawaii!

Betty Tamayo, RN, shines as our 2024 Nurse of the Year Professional Advancement Award honoree because of her unwavering commitment to excellence. 🏆🌟 This award recognizes a nurse who has gone above and beyond in their role to advance the profession of nursing, including advancing their degree or engaging in educational endeavors, implementing an innovation in nursing and participating in activities that foster the practice of nursing.

Betty started her nursing career as an RN in our Family Birth Center (FBC), eventually advanced to management as the FBC supervisor and now serves as its clinical service line manager. Her impressive credentials underscore her commitment to professional development in the nursing field, having earned multiple advanced degrees and certifications in nursing administration, healthcare management and organizational leadership.

"Betty's passion for nursing and pursuit for higher education have propelled her to seek out opportunities for growth and development at every turn," remarks Myra Barrientos, clinical service line director. "Betty is a dedicated mentor and role model for the staff whom she leads as well as aspiring future nurses. She has been a nursing clinical instructor at the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University, mentoring and inspiring college students in the field of nursing." Betty has held various leadership positions in the American Organization of Nursing Leaders (AONL), Hawaii Chapter and currently serves as the chapter's president.

"Betty exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding leader who is committed to advancing the nursing profession and inspiring others to pursue their professional goals," says Myra. Her achievements are a testament to her willingness to take on new challenges and embrace opportunities for advancement, and her commitment to personal and professional development. I know she will continue to excel and make invaluable contributions to our team at Kapiolani and the greater nursing community as a whole."

Betty, your commitment to professional growth in the nursing field is an inspiration to many. Mahalo for your leadership and dedication to creating a healthier Hawaii!

July is Cord Blood Awareness Month. Cord blood is a vital substance found in the umbilical cord after a baby's birth that can be a lifesaving therapy for nearly 80 diseases, including various blood and immune disorders, and even cancer. Unfortunately, 95% of it goes to waste.

Saving Cord Blood Can Save Lives July is Cord Blood Awareness Month. Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord after babies are born. It is used to treat nearly 80 diseases including blood disorders, immune disorders and even cancer.

Step right up for the Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10K & 5K Fun Run Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025! 👟 💪🏼 Start the new year on the right foot by committing to fitness and join us for this iconic event, the only all-female sanctioned race in Hawaii.

• Start time for the Women's 10K is 7 a.m.
• Start time for the 5K Fun Run is 7:20 a.m.

A virtual option is available for anyone who would like to complete either race on their own.

See you at the starting line!

Women's 10K Race | Hawaii Pacific Health The Hawaii Pacific Health Women’s 10K is the first and only all-female sanctioned race that brings together women of all ages in an effort to create a healthier Hawaii. This is the first all-female race that followed after Patsy Mink pushed for the rights of women and Title IX was passed.

Your ohana's safety and health are top priorities as COVID cases are on the rise in Hawaii. Dr. Paul Eakin, associate medical director of pediatric emergency medicine here at Kapiolani, shares valuable tips to protect you and your loved ones from COVID on this Hawaii News Now - Sunrise Healthier Hawaii feature.💪🌺.

Healthier Hawaii: How to protect your loved ones from COVID Dr. Paul Eakin is the associate medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Step right up and see what an amazing Employee Summer Carnival we had for our remarkable day and night shifts! 🎪🎡 Mahalo to everyone for joining in on the games, prizes and great food to make it an unforgettable event!

The 2024 Nurse of the Year Outstanding Nurse Leader honor goes to Carrie Caeton, RN, of the Fetal Diagnostic Center here at Kapiolani! 🏆 🌟 This award recognizes a nurse who has provided leadership in advancing the profession of nursing, including exhibiting excellence in nursing leadership, role modeling an exemplary commitment to staff support and patient care, supporting and fostering positivity and growth in their department, and contributing to the Hawaii Pacific Health mission.

“Carrie contributes to creating a Healthier Hawaii through her dedicated leadership of the Kapiolani Fetal Diagnostic Center, our essential service line here for the health and well-being of pregnant women and their babies,” remarks Kirsten Pennaz, Hawaii Pacific Health director of primary care clinic operations. “As a nurse leader, she understands the clinical needs of her patients and advocates for her service line and department. She has led her team through many transitions and navigated challenging issues to ensure the Fetal Diagnostic Center‘s team have the tools, equipment, staff and resources to provide excellent care to our patients. She exhibits dedication and commitment.”

Mahalo and congratulations, Carrie, for your exceptional leadership skills, mentorship and vast knowledge of your role that make you a standout nurse leader. Your commitment to excellence and ability to inspire those around you truly set you apart as you continue to help create a healthier Hawaii! 👏🏼 🌺

Let's take strides for healthier hearts together at the American Heart Association 2024 Hawaii Heart Walk Saturday, Aug. 3, at Kapiolani Park! 👟❤️ Not only will you be boosting your own heart health, but you'll be supporting the AHA's lifesaving work. As a proud sponsor of this event, Hawaii Pacific Health invites you to join us in taking heart-healthy steps together. After the walk, be sure to check out our booth at the Health & Wellness Fair for heart-healthy tips and more!

Join our team: https://bit.ly/3cFfXuy

This UV Safety Awareness Month, remember to cover all your bases! Common sunscreen slip-ups include missing spots like your ears, neck and the tops of your feet. Stay protected and apply sunscreen everywhere. 🌞

Sunscreen Slip-ups: Common Areas We Forget to Slather on the SPF Head, shoulders, knees and toes … These aren’t just words to a popular song used to teach children the parts of the body; they also are some of the places we make sure are well coated with sunscreen before heading out the door every morning.

Last week, our summer interns at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children participated in an event called Friday Night at the ER. Throughout the simulated 24-hour game play, interns make managerial decisions for their unit in their hospital to best manage staffing as well as patient arrivals and transfers. This game allows interns to collaborate, gain a better understanding of how different departments work together in the hospital and strategize ways to best manage their hospital.

Continue to follow us on social media as our interns continue throughout their internship. Three more weeks to go!

Celebrating Scott Ninomiya, NP, our 2024 Nurse of the Year Exemplary Nurse Mentor! 🎉 🏆 This award recognizes a nurse for outstanding contributions mentoring within the nursing profession, including serving as a positive role model of professional practice for peers/new employees and students, demonstrating and sharing sound clinical knowledge, and engaging in the professional development of others via precepting, mentoring and leading teams.

"Scott has been a role model for all because he truly carries out the mission of HPH. He is a phenomenal nurse and provider. He serves his patients and ensures the families are empowered to complete care once they are discharged home," says colleague Erika Pearson, NP. "He goes above and beyond to teach staff and peers/providers the most up to date recommendations to ensure that everyone on the team is knowledgeable for the patient's recommended treatment plan."

Colleague Carol Cambareri, NP, echoes Erika's sentiments. "I have known Scott for over 12 years now and am constantly impressed by his clinical acumen as well as his strong work ethic. Scott mentors both new and seasoned nurses with a smile and joy in his heart. He loves his job and anyone who knows him knows that. He is the epitome of a nurse mentor. Scott continues to master his critical thinking skills as well as utilizing every opportunity to gain more knowledge. He is a valued preceptor for staff and he is dedicated to ensuring that new staff are well prepared and able to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients and families. He displays competency with compassion. He truly understands the mission of our hospital and executes that daily."

Mahalo, Scott, for your unwavering commitment to making a tremendous difference in the lives of our patients and the growth of our staff as you help create a healthier Hawaii!

Help save lives and join us by supporting the Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) with your blood donation during Lifesaving Week Monday, July 8, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Diamond Head Tower Conference Rooms 8, 9 & 10.

Bring a photo ID that includes your legal first and last name to the blood drive and mention group code “Hawai‘i Pacific Health #1166” at check-in. You can mention our HPH group code at any future appointments scheduled with the BBH.

Whenever someone donates blood between June 1 and Aug. 31, BBH will give a donation to Special Olympics Hawaii to help their athletes compete at no cost. Donations are by appointment only. Schedule your appointment by visiting BBH.org or by calling 808-848-4770.

NOTE: For a chance to be featured on the BBH's social media pages, be sure to tag on Facebook when you donate.

Did you know? Children between the ages of 10 and 14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury. according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Burns caused by fireworks account for 44% of injuries treated in EDs in the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Keep your loved ones safe this Fourth of July with these tips.

🎆 Don't relight duds.
🎆 Don't use aerial or other illegal fireworks.
🎆 Keep a water source, such as a bucket of water or a hose, nearby.
🎆 Don't end up being a statistic.

More fireworks safety tips: https://bit.ly/3NWN4ub

Kristin Tacon, RN, of the Kapiolani Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is described as a nurse who consistently excels at providing exemplary patient care and that is just one reason why she is recognized as our 2024 Nurse of the Year in Patient-Centered Care and Patient Experience! 📣✨ This award recognizes a nurse who shines in patient care by understanding each patient’s unique needs and creating personalized care plans. The recipient of this award consistently exceeds expectations, providing outstanding experiences for patients and their families. Whether improving outcomes, showing compassion, or advocating for patients, this nurse goes above and beyond. Their dedication is recognized by patients and families alike, and they are always looking for ways to enhance care and safety.

Jaclyn Mundell, PICU clinical services manager, proudly nominated Kristin for this prestigious recognition. She highlighted Kristin's dedication to patient-centered care and her exceptional ability to make meaningful connections with patients and their families, ensuring they receive the highest quality care.

"Kristin is consistently excellent at providing exemplary patient care. She genuinely cares about the patients and their families, she looks for ways to improve their experience during hard, scary times. She uses her artistic skills to add beauty by drawing characters on Hypafix (self-adhesive flexible fabric tape used to secure dressings and bandages) and drawing anatomically-correct hearts for cardiac patients. She once decorated a crib of a longer-term resident in an underwater theme for his birthday. Kristin is particularly compassionate and skillful at caring for end of life patients.

"Kristin's passion for improving patient experience extends to teaching her coworkers. She is an excellent preceptor. Above and beyond teaching the basics of PICU, Kristin instills in her preceptees the importance of how the room looks and feels. Kristin is also co-chair of the PICU cardiac committee, working to build and grow the cardiac care in the PICU. She designs educational materials to improve communication and give just-in-time reminders to staff. It's hard to put into words all the exceptional ways that Kristin is able to improve patient care.

"Even before there was a cardiac committee, Kristin was working with the heart surgeon and intensivists to understand cardiac care better and get that information out to staff. PICU had a nurse with a passion and talent for end-of-life/bereavement care. When Kristin found out this nurse was leaving, she spent time learning from that nurse so this area of our care could continue to improve. She built and maintains the bereavement supplies in the unit and voluntarily takes end of life patients to help ease the experience for the families and staff.

"Kristin is a formal role model as a preceptor, relief charge nurse, and co-chair of the cardiac committee. Informally, Kristin is often the first person people go to as a resource for cardiac and end of life. Kristin has become a leader in the unit and contributes to positive communication and culture. She is a highly skilled nurse who goes beyond expectations to make sure we are providing good care to our patients. While her clinical skills are critical in PICU, it is the flare she puts into each of her patient assignments that truly makes her remarkable. She puts her heart into caring for patients and families, and they universally love her in return."

Kristin, your dedication to patient care and compassion shine brightly. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition - it's a testament to your unshakeable commitment to creating a healthier Hawaii.

Don't let hot liquid spills send your keiki to the emergency room. Scald burns can happen when hot drinks, foods like saimin and ramen noodles, microwaved liquids and food, and hot water from the tap are not handled with care. 🍜

Injuries are preventable with these helpful tips to keep your ohana safe from burn scalds in your home.

• Let food cool in the kitchen before serving or placing on the table.
• Supervise young children while they eat to prevent burn scalds and a trip to the emergency room.
• Never carry or hold a child while cooking or holding hot liquids.

For more burn injury prevention tips, visit Kapiolani.org/InjuryPrevention.