The University of Hawaiʻi accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

Hawaiʻi received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across 糖心Vlog官方, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university鈥檚 role in advancing health research and innovation in Hawaiʻi.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH鈥檚 shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of Hawaiʻi researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, 糖心Vlog官方 interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at 糖心Vlog官方:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story)

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 糖心Vlog官方 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 糖心Vlog官方 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the 糖心Vlog官方 law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

Kauilaon膩lani Tengan is inspired to encourage greater participation from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino communities in diabetes clinical trials to ensure research better reflects the populations most affected by the disease.

Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha.
—Kauilaon膩lani Tengan

He is translating that goal into practice through applied research. A master of science student in epidemiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 , Tengan was part of a study team at The Queen鈥檚 Health Systems (QHS) whose findings were published in in the study Exploring Diabetes Clinical Trial Participation: A Diverse Group Interview Study.

“I have a family history of cardiometabolic diseases and I remember visiting extended family who had to fly from Moloka驶i just to receive quality care here on Oʻahu,” he said. “This [experience] instilled in me a desire to learn more about health issues so prevalent in our islands and contribute to innovative solutions.”

Research findings and lessons learned

While at QHS, Tengan split his time between health equity research and clinical data management, utilizing electronic medical records to address research questions. He helped conduct interviews with 56 hospitalized patients to explore what motivates—or prevents—patients from joining diabetes clinical trials.

Although 84% expressed willingness to participate, most had never been asked. Barriers included mistrust, concerns about medication risks, and lack of understanding, while many Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants cited family and community benefit as key motivators.

“Engaging face-to-face with people in a clinical setting humanized health data for me,” Tengan said. “It reminded me that these are people, not statistics. I realized that my work has a lasting impact, so it is my responsibility to do things in a pono manner.”

Tengan hopes to carry these lessons forward. “Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha,” he said. “It is vital that we do work in an ethically and culturally nuanced way because there are real world impacts in the data that we publish.”

The study was part of an Food and Drug Administration-funded project at The Queen驶s Medical Center, in collaboration with the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 , and clinical partners. also found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants are consistently underrepresented in U.S. clinical trials.

“Kauilaon膩lani鈥檚 perspectives and real-life application from quantitative analyses are so important to building collective public health,” said Tetine Sentell, public health professor and study co-author.

Cancer patients traveling off-island for treatment. K奴puna waiting months to see a neurologist. Rural communities struggling to access behavioral health and addiction services. These challenging realities are driving the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents request for $3,724,600 to expand Hawaiʻi鈥檚 healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands.

The funding would support 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 new Health Science and Healthcare Interdisciplinary Workforce Initiative, a coordinated hire request that would add 18.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) clinician and faculty positions across five health sciences units to address severe shortages in high-need medical fields, including cancer, neurology and dementia, and behavioral health integration and addiction medicine.

“糖心Vlog官方 has a kuleana to the people and ʻāina of Hawaiʻi, and that responsibility drives us to focus on solutions that make a real difference in our communities,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel. “By strengthening our healthcare workforce, we can train more providers and expand access to care for kupuna and families across all islands.”

Expanding the healthcare pipeline, patient care

The coordinated hire would add clinician faculty who both train future healthcare providers and deliver direct patient care in rural and underserved communities across the state.

“The goal is to improve access to care across all islands by providing direct clinical services and addressing shortages in underserved communities,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This coordinated request for positions will increase the workforce pipeline by training more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other health providers essential to providing high quality care for patients with dementia, addictions, or other behavioral health challenges.”

Addressing high-priority health needs

The initiative spans five 糖心Vlog官方 units—糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , the , the , the , and the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo —and focuses on clinician leaders and researchers working with state and health system partners through community-based, interprofessional approaches aligned with legislative priorities.

Funding would be directed toward three high-priority health areas identified as critical needs for the state:

• Cancer ($1,674,400; 6.35 FTE): Establishing an accredited hematology-oncology fellowship and expanding clinical research capacity.
• Neurology and Dementia ($1,162,200; 7.40 FTE): Creating an accredited neurology residency program and expanding the K奴puna Workforce Innovation Hub.
• Behavioral Health Integration and Addiction Medicine ($888,000; 4.75 FTE): Expanding the Education and Research Center of Addiction Medicine and enhancing telehealth services.
• Beyond direct patient care, the initiative would support statewide continuing education in dementia care and behavioral health–primary care integration, consistent with Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and legislative priorities.

Targeted request in a tight budget climate

The initiative is one of two high-priority items in 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 $18.8 million supplemental operating budget request () for fiscal year 2026–27, introduced amid slowing state revenue growth.

“We purposefully limited the request to major strategic items that are time-sensitive and provide essential benefits to both the state and the university,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Budget and Finance Luis Salaveria. “Given the current fiscal climate, this approach allows 糖心Vlog官方 to focus its resources on areas where the need is greatest, and the impact on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 communities will be most immediate.”

October is American Pharmacists Month and the University of Hawaiʻi at 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 (DKICP) is helping shine a light on the vital role pharmacists play in public health. The pharmacy school is now accepting applications for a new online degree program called PharmD-XO, designed for aspiring pharmacists who need flexibility.

The first cohort starts in January 2026. It is a track towards earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The program is built for working adults and off- island and out-of-state residents. Students can stay in their jobs and communities while earning the degree.

“As we address the physician shortage affecting rural communities nationwide, pharmacists trained to practice at the full scope of their license can provide vital healthcare services where they鈥檙e needed most,” said Rae Matsumoto, dean at DKICP.

Pharmacists fill critical healthcare gaps

The need is clear. National data show physician shortages are intensifying with 20% of Americans living in rural areas and only 10% of physicians practicing there. Nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists the most accessible healthcare providers.

The college recently earned an eight-year accreditation renewal from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Building on that momentum, the PharmD-XO program spans 5.5 years. Most learning happens online. Students come to Hilo once a year for a two- to four-week immersion during the first 4.5 years. Those visits focus on labs, team skills, and hands-on training. The final year is all clinical experience at pharmacy practice sites.

Learn more on the college鈥檚 website, email pharmacy@hawaii.edu, or call (808) 932-7704.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has named Katey Pelican as the inaugural director of the , a key initiative aimed at improving healthcare and health outcomes in Hawaiʻi. Pelican, an expert in One Health, sustainable development, and global health security, will begin her role on April 1, 2025.

Launched in 2022, the Health Sciences Institute was created to leverage 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 strengths to expand the healthcare workforce, reduce health disparities and address emerging health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for a more integrated approach, and the institute fosters collaboration across health sciences to drive innovation and equity.

As director, Pelican will oversee the coordination of efforts across 糖心Vlog官方 units to advance the health and well being of Hawaii鈥檚 communities, ensuring the institute acts as a central hub for information, advocacy and resource development. 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than 50 health sciences-related degrees and certificates across nine colleges and schools, including the , the , the and the . Pelican will focus on strengthening community resilience, health systems, and the healthcare workforce through establishing strategic partnerships, advancing solutions-based research programs, and growing educational pathways and training opportunities.

“I am honored to join 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and lead the Health Sciences Institute in its mission to improve health equity and resilience in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific,” said Pelican. “I look forward to collaborating with faculty, students and community partners to drive meaningful, interdisciplinary solutions to today鈥檚 most pressing health challenges.”

Health sciences experience, leadership

With more than 25 years of experience, her expertise and leadership span a broad range of health science disciplines, including infectious disease response, climate resilience, and Indigenous community food sovereignty. Pelican has worked in 45 countries, leading initiatives at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health in collaboration with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations.

Pelican joins 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 from the University of Minnesota (UMN), where she led the Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative, helping to secure more than $158 million in grants and contracts to support global health and sustainability projects. She also co-founded UMN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals Initiative and previously led the One Health Division at UMN鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine.

Pelican holds a doctor of veterinary medicine from UMN and a PhD in comparative physiology from a joint program between the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland.

“Dr. Pelican is uniquely qualified for this important and challenging role, with significant leadership experience in interdisciplinary health initiatives and large-scale collaborative research projects,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of the Health Sciences Institute and advancing our mission to address pressing health challenges in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.”

This message was shared with the faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on February 10, 2025.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 ʻohana,

The University of Hawaiʻi is deeply concerned about the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 (NIH) February 7 announcement to significantly cut reimbursement of research facilities and administrative costs. These funds are essential to maintaining the infrastructure that supports groundbreaking research and lifesaving medical breakthroughs.

This sweeping change—imposing a 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursement for all NIH grants—will have severe consequences for biomedical research in Hawaiʻi and across the nation, slowing progress on treatments for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other critical health challenges. Currently, indirect costs for biomedical research—both nationally and at 糖心Vlog官方—average around 50%. By limiting this essential support, the federal government is stepping back from its long-standing commitment to advancing medical innovation.

Related: Attorney General Lopez sues Trump Administration for defunding medical and public health innovation research, February 10, 2025

For 糖心Vlog官方, the impact of this decision cannot be overstated. The University of Hawaiʻi System of 10 campuses includes the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute designated center), the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, and the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. All of these Schools, Colleges and Centers conduct translational and fundamental research, and the university is supported by 175 awards and subawards from the NIH with a current value of $211 million. NIH鈥檚 reduction of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 current negotiated IDC rate of 56.5% at the JABSOM and the Cancer Center alone will eliminate approximately $15 million in funding that 糖心Vlog官方 uses to support its research programs, including ongoing clinical trials and debt service payments.

According to a 2024 annual report by United for Medical Research, NIH funding generated $158 million in economic activity and supported 819 local jobs across the state. The 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center and JABSOM led the majority of these NIH-funded research projects, receiving $27 million and $26.6 million, respectively.

As I emphasized in my February 6 address on federal policy changes affecting higher education, 糖心Vlog官方 will continue working closely with Hawaiʻi鈥檚 congressional delegation, Gov. Josh Green鈥檚 office and the state attorney general, and in this instance, the national higher education and research associations and peer institutions to advocate against this harmful policy. Additionally, we are closely monitoring legal challenges that may arise in response to this directive, including the lawsuit filed today in a federal court in Massachusetts, by 22 states, including the State of Hawaiʻi.

We will keep you updated as the situation unfolds and remain steadfast in our efforts to protect 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 research enterprise, which benefits our university, our state, and the millions who rely on medical advancements.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi

Student pharmacists from the will assist HMSA and University Health Partners to perform Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for people with chronic diseases in the state of Hawaiʻi.

“Our most qualified students will be putting their technical knowledge and people skills to work to help patients achieve better outcomes from their medications,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto.

MTM services will be available statewide via telehealth. HMSA will identify a subset of members that will be eligible for this early phase of the program. MTM students will help review a patient鈥檚 medication to ensure they are being used appropriately, answering any drug-related questions and determining the most cost-effective options. MTM students will help review a patient鈥檚 medication to ensure they are being used appropriately, answering any drug-related questions and determining the most cost-effective options.

“Studies show that using pharmacists to provide MTM services improves medication adherence and ensures patients are on the appropriate medications and doses,” said Camlyn Masuda, DKICP associate specialist and a coordinator for the new program.

Students can apply and interview for the MTM consultant positions, which will be in addition to their academics. Working under the guidance of a pharmacist, students conduct one-on-one phone consultations with each patient about all the medications they are taking, document the information and any recommendations and share it with the patient鈥檚 physician.

“This type of work experience puts our students on the forward edge of pharmacy services being offered in healthcare today,” said Matsumoto. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to work with HMSA and University Health Partners, two of the largest healthcare providers within the state, to help in delivering better care to their patients.”

DKICP will expect the first students to be hired and start providing MTM services after the fall semester begins.

Read more at the .

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has launched the search for a director to lead the newly established , a major initiative to improve healthcare and health outcomes in Hawaiʻi, inspired by 糖心Vlog官方‘s pivotal role in the state驶s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of the institute is to leverage the university’s extensive expertise and resources in health sciences and medicine to expand the healthcare workforce, reduce health disparities, address climate change impacts on health and respond to emerging health threats.

“We are seeking a dynamic leader to guide the new institute,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities in Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific region. The director will play a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing health disparities.”

The director will be responsible for coordinating efforts across the 糖心Vlog官方 units that include programs related to health sciences and medicine:

Related: Collaboration across health sciences goal of 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 initiative

• College of Natural Sciences
• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Social Sciences
• Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
• John A. Burns School of Medicine
• School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
• School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology
• Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
• 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than 50 health sciences-related degrees and certificates across nine colleges and schools, as well as the state’s largest social work, nursing and public health programs. In fiscal year 2022 alone, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 secured more than $130 million in external grants and contracts related to health sciences.

Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, is chairing the search advisory committee, whose members consist of steering committee members who led the development of the Health Sciences Institute. The committee will recommend finalists to Bruno, who will determine the best candidate for the position.

For the job announcement and position description, visit the . Review of applications will begin in late July and will continue until the position is filled.

Professor Deborah Taira is a health economist at the University of Hawaiʻi at 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 and has extensive experience studying health equity issues for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The professor conducts in-depth research on health disparities that impact AANHPI populations and wants to improve access to clinical trials.

As the country commemorates AANHPI Heritage Month, the Food and Drug Administration鈥檚 Office of Minority Health and Health Equity spotlighted Taira鈥檚 expertise in a . She revealed that even though national statistics identify Hawaiʻi has the highest life expectancy of any state in the U.S., there are still huge health disparities.

“Unfortunately, Native Hawaiians live about 11 years less than Chinese in Hawaiʻi,” Taira said. “That鈥檚 a huge disparity, and I just feel like that should not exist now, not in our state of Hawaiʻi. And so, I鈥檓 passionate about trying to do what I can to correct that.”

A legacy of research

Taira has published more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts related to health disparities, cost and health outcomes Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face. Her interest in studying health disparity started long ago with her mother, a professor of nursing who made house calls in elderly housing projects.

“I remember she brought me along with her. And she said, ‘You can learn more in 5 minutes when you go into these people鈥檚 homes. And you see in their fridge they don鈥檛 have any food or the place is filthy or whatever. You learn more about what can help the patient by actually getting to know their life circumstances,’” Taira explained.

Along with health disparities, Taira鈥檚 research also focuses on medication adherence and cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular interventions. She has worked at the Health Institute at the New England Medical Center examining outcomes from the patient perspective and spent 10 years working at Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association analyzing large administrative datasets, including cost and lab data.

Twelve students and alumni from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (DKICP) have successfully secured positions in postgraduate residency programs across the country through a rigorous national process. Facilitated by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the annual event, dubbed Match Day, orchestrates the placement of qualified candidates into coveted postgraduate year one (PGY1) or postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs at various hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide.

“We are very pleased that 86% of our students matched in this highly competitive process,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto. “That鈥檚 a high percentage, reflecting the quality of our students and their achievements in academics, service and scholarship over their four-year career here at the DKICP and beyond. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I congratulate them for their incredible efforts.”

Students and graduates will begin their respective PGY1 work this summer.

Residency matches

PGY1

• Carly Bell—VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Reno, Nevada
• Brennan Buccat—MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, Tacoma, Washington
• Trang Bui—Children鈥檚 Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
• Dyani Chock—The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Sean Domingo—University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Olatunji Gbadebo—Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota
• Chase Ibia—Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Teva Kealoha Meyer—The Queen鈥檚 Health System, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Jane Lakritz—Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California
• Skye Pyo—Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Tacoma, Washington
• Megan Woolsey—VA Pacific Islands HCS, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

PGY2

• 2023 DKICP graduate Chrystal Cardoza—Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (DKICP) and have forged a partnership to enhance the training of pharmacy technician students, which responds to the growing demand across the state to fill these positions.

DKICP faculty will teach 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College students, both in-person and online, preparing them for a national immunization certification exam. The certification verifies an individual has completed the necessary training and met the requirements to administer immunizations.

“For pharmacy technicians to get immunization certification is a gold standard that our faculty involvement can help provide for students in this 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College program,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto.

Under this innovative alliance, students in 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College’s pharmacy technician program will gain the opportunity to complete coursework and critical credentials.

“This additional level of training allows our graduates to perform at the top of their profession,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College pharmacy technician instructor Valerie Matsunaga, “We saw how important these skills are during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Workforce development

糖心Vlog官方 Maui College has offered the Pharmacy Technician Immersion degree program since 2008. In fall 2023, a career skills lab funded in partnership with CVS Health and designed like a real Longs Drugs pharmacy opened on the Maui campus. The workforce development initiative continues to provide hands-on skills training for students throughout its 15-week program.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Apprenticeship trailblazer: 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College pharmacy technician graduate, December 19, 2023

糖心Vlog官方 Maui College and DKICP have an articulation program so students in continuing education on the Maui campus can continue on at the Hilo campus.

Rae Matsumoto has been appointed the new dean of the University of Hawaiʻi at 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 (DKICP), effective November 16. The 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents were notified of her appointment at the October 19 meeting. Matsumoto will replace DKICP鈥檚 Interim Dean Miriam Mobley Smith.

Matsumoto is currently a professor of physiology and pharmacology at the University of the Pacific (UOP). She has also held various administrative and faculty positions, including dean and professor of UOP鈥檚 pharmacy school from 2020 to 2022, dean and professor of the College of Pharmacy at Touro University California from 2014 to 2020 and associate dean for research and graduate programs and professor at West Virginia University from 2007 to 2014.

“I am excited to have Dr. Matsumoto join the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo leadership team,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “She brings a wide variety of experience to the position and is prepared to lead the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy forward. I am grateful for all of the good work of Interim Dean Mobley Smith over the last year-and-a-half to prepare the college for the new incoming leadership and a bright future.”

Matsumoto has vast educational program development experience such as faculty mentoring, staff development, student success and career development, budgetary and fiscal management. She has founded numerous graduate and research training programs, and is a strong advocate for community outreach programs.

She is the lead and co-author of more than 100 publications, a member of national and international professional organizations and has patented multiple inventions.

Matsumoto earned her BS magna cum laude from Creighton University and a master鈥檚 in science and PhD from Brown University.

When wildfires swept through Lahaina in August, destroying the historic community, the buildings housing its two pharmacies were spared, but the businesses had to close, temporarily, leaving nowhere for wildfire survivors to access critical medications.

Within a day of the fire, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (DKICP) alumni Vy Tran and Shane Naeole, were among those who stepped in to help impacted residents refill vital medications. The DKICP graduates are employed at Mauliola Pharmacy in Wailuku and were led by pharmacy owner and pharmacist Cory Lehano to distribute medicine for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular health and mental health. Due to the unprecedented tragedy, in many cases, prescriptions were filled for free.

Duty calls

DKICP alumna Trisha Nobriga and students Tyler Caliva and Jarod Hanchett-Ching also rushed to help Lehano and his staff.

“That first weekend after the fire, Tyler and I helped out in Wailuku as couriers, carrying bags of filled prescriptions from Mauliola鈥檚 main location near Maui Memorial Medical Center across the highway to the War Memorial Complex where emergency services were being offered,” Hanchett-Ching explained. “The work going on there was really valuable—bringing important resources to people displaced from all their worldly possessions, and helping to minimize their struggles a bit by providing comfort and a little convenience for them.”

Hanchett-Ching also volunteered with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross in Wailuku before returning to Hilo for the beginning of fall semester the following weekend.

Close to home

Christina (Method) Requelman, a clinical education support specialist and certified pharmacy technician at DKICP, accompanied alumna Elissa Brown to Maui to support Mauliola staff during the hectic first week of emergency response.

Brown, who works as pharmacy manager at KTA鈥檚 Puainako Store in Hilo, is a Lahaina native, whose family lost their home to the fire.

“We have a good relationship with many of the Mauliola staff, and had just spent time with some of them at a pharmacy conference the weekend before the wildfire,” recalled Requelman. “In the days after the fire, I kept reaching out to them to see how they were doing and if there was anything we could do to help鈥hey were putting in long hours, filling hundreds of prescriptions a day.”

More on how to help Maui ʻohana and the Maui wildfires.

Pharmacy staff were also providing first aid supplies to help treat burns and skin infections, and offering COVID-19 tests.

“Dr. Lehano and his entire staff have helped so many people in their community during this tragedy,” Requelman said. “They are a perfect example of the important role pharmacies and pharmacists can play during an emergency.”

In 2022, DKICP named Lehano Preceptor of the Year for his dedication to host and train student pharmacists on rotations.

To capitalize on the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 wide range of expertise in the health sciences and medicine, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 has launched a new to better serve the people of Hawaiʻi.

The initiative seeks to have a more strategic structure in amplifying the successful work conducted by faculty researchers across the campus and forming stronger collaborations between all of the campuses of the 糖心Vlog官方 System, as well as with government agencies and health systems statewide.

What more could we accomplish with stronger coordination across campus and increased integration and collaboration with our health systems and government?
—Michael Bruno, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Provost

“We have been discussing better ways to coordinate and collaborate across the health sciences at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 for many years, if not decades, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic only reinforced the importance of this work,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno, whose office launched the initiative in 2022. “While the pandemic has forced us to collaborate in ways that forwarded our goals, I strongly believe more can be done.”

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than 50 health science-related degrees and certificate programs, and boasts world-class research that has brought in $130 million in external research funding in the last year. Its clinical learning and care occur in partnership with Oʻahu hospitals, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, private practices, non-profit healthcare organizations and a number of state departments. In addition, the dedication and pivotal work of 糖心Vlog官方 faculty, staff and students who aided the state with its COVID-19 emergency response in the areas of education, research, clinical care delivery and guidance has made it evident that the university is a go-to authority when faced with a health threat or opportunity.

“While the impact of our programs demonstrates the critical importance of our work, it also gives rise to a fundamental question: What more could we accomplish with stronger coordination across campus and increased integration and collaboration with our health systems and government? As we emerge from the pandemic, our success in this area is a strategic imperative for the university and the state,” said Bruno.

Health Sciences Steering Committee

A Health Sciences Steering Committee composed of 11 members includes leaders from 糖心Vlog官方 health and science units, the , and . The steering committee has met monthly since August 2022 and is charged with carrying forth the goals established for a Health Sciences Institute at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

These goals include:

• Establish an efficient operational structure to align and coordinate our efforts, to provide administrative support for operations, and to serve as the one-stop “portal” for information exchange and the unified voice for 糖心Vlog官方 health sciences, medical education and research and public health education.
• Strengthen and expand the healthcare workforce in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through broad partnerships and efficient pathways to health sciences careers and expanded opportunities for clinical and practical training to train a workforce capable of transdisciplinary work.
• Collaborate with state and regional government, health systems and industry partners to reduce health disparities and inequities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, especially in building innovative partnerships and training to address social determinants of health.
• Redefine the health sciences to recognize and collaboratively address the impacts of climate change and community health needs, and apply advances to patient care and health policy in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
• Lead in the convening of researchers, industry professionals and government leaders to assess, collaborate and respond to emerging and ongoing health threats in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Steering committee members:

• Walter Bowen, associate dean,
• Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, interim dean,
• Kenneth Fink, director, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
• Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO, Queen鈥檚 Health Systems
• Judy Lemus, interim associate dean,
• Miriam Mobley-Smith, interim dean, , 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo
• Tetine Sentell, interim dean,
• Alison Sherwood, interim associate dean,
• Naoto Ueno, director,
• Raymond Vara, president and CEO, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
• Lorrie Wong, interim associate dean,

Lightning talks highlight collaborative efforts

A recent May 4 event, Collaborations Across The Health Sciences, held at the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center highlighted the richness and importance of the work done at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and the far-reaching impact these programs have to benefit people across the state and in the Pacific region. Five-minute “lightning talks” from 22 projects were presented, including both internal collaborations among 糖心Vlog官方 units, and external collaborations with state, community and health system partners. These projects focused on community health needs, clinical training partnerships, reducing health disparities, emerging and ongoing health threats to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, innovative government/industry/education partnerships and more.

The convening, the first of likely more to come, was attended by health sciences unit leads, researchers and external health partners.

“The lightning talks were meant to inform and inspire the work that lies ahead, as we strengthen our relationships with each other and leverage our passion and our expertise for a healthier and more resilient Hawaiʻi,” said Bruno. “A total of 56 proposals were submitted for the event, and we narrowed it down to 22, which is only a sampling of the impressive research being conducted at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. Hearing about the exciting cross-collaborations already taking place across campus and with our state and health partners on these projects tells me we can be even more impactful in the work we do.”

“The broad scope of the presented talks, and the remainder of the abstracts, allowed all participants to open their minds to possibilities for new collaborations,” said Buenconsejo-Lum. “There are many programs and projects working in similar topic areas and in various communities. The task is to synergize, leverage and appropriately resource those efforts so they can be scaled up and expanded throughout the state.”

The program, which includes all 56 submitted proposals, is .

Feedback from external committee members

“From my perspective with the health system, when we look to improve health and well-being, it always takes a team. We are already deeply coordinated and this was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic when we pivoted to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 for guidance and were successful when we were able to bring the right players together. As a health system, we are all in, and we’re going to do all we can to support this initiative to address the health inequities in the state and support the next generation.”

—Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO of the Queen驶s Health Systems

“This effort couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time. As we emerge from the pandemic, we have to view the world differently going forward than we did in the past. We partner with 15 clinical programs across the 糖心Vlog官方 system, and about 1,100 students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, emergency response, and even non-clinical areas, per year filter through our facilities, and that’s a lot of interaction and collaboration. However, further unification of the health sciences and a consolidated strategy could be much more efficient that our one-off siloed areas. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity and we have to be willing to use different tools to navigate us down this new path to build a healthier community.”

—Raymond Vara, president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Pacific Health

“The Department of Health is pleased to have multiple partners throughout the 糖心Vlog官方 system to support our efforts to promote and protect the physical, behavioral and environmental health for the people of Hawaiʻi. Having renowned expertise in our own backyard at 糖心Vlog官方 helps us find local solutions to local problems and grow a much needed public health workforce.”

—Kenneth Fink, director, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

Looking ahead

To ensure the success of this new endeavor, the Provost recommends the establishment of an amplifying structure to facilitate and coordinate the work for the Health Sciences Initiative. The proposed office—with key positions including an executive director, program specialists, research coordinators and others—will serve as a single point of contact for both internal and external partners. Funding support may come from existing resources, but will also require sustained state investment.

For more information, go to the website and view presentations from units offering snapshots of their academic programs, research and extension highlights and existing collaborations in the health sciences.

Three student pharmacists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo are conducting research to combat antimicrobial resistance, which has become a global public health threat in recent years. 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo second-year students Alyssa Kam, Yang Xu and Chae Min Lee are working under the supervision of Professors Leng Chee Chang and Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit to synthesize silver nanoparticles using extract from Physalis peruviana (locally known as poha berry), and evaluate its antibacterial activity.

“Our research focuses on safely, efficiently and economically translating new therapeutic agents from natural products,” said Wongwiwatthananukit. “Application of nanotechnology in pharmacy (nanopharmacy) enhances the bench-to-bedside approach to patient care.”

The students at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 John A. Burns School of Medicine held April 21 at the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center. Their work has also been accepted for a poster presentation at the annual research symposium, which includes academic and student researchers from around the state.

“Misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics are the main factors leading to antimicrobial resistance,” explained Kam. “That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to identify alternative compounds with antimicrobial activity, especially plant-based compounds.”

Undetectable by the human eye, a nanoparticle is a particle of matter between 1 and 100 nanometers in diameter. Silver is widely used for nanoparticles as an innovative method of drug delivery.

“Our research results showed the synthesized silver nanoparticles using the Physalis peruviana extract demonstrated good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative E. coli and one of the Gram-positive Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus bacteria strains that we tested, both which exist here in Hawaiʻi,” said Chang. “The next step is to determine the optimal and functional nanoparticle sizes that also have good stability properties.”

Nanoparticles research is a growing segment within the field of nanomedicine, which makes it a very relevant topic in pharmacy curricula, according to Chang. Currently there are more than 50 nanomedicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Offering a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum based on emerging pharmaceutical and clinical science applications is significant,” explained Chang. “It is important to give our students this opportunity to learn about nanoparticles and nanomedicine through research electives, including the course Special Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences Research/Lab.”

For more, visit the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo .

Eleven students of the (DKICP) were recently matched to postgraduate residency programs in a competitive national process. Organized through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the annual event known as Match Day helps qualified students obtain positions in either postgraduate year one (PGY1) or postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs of their choice at hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country.

In the results of Round 1 matches, announced March 16, 2023, 50% of DKICP鈥檚 PGY1 applicants were matched and 75% of the PGY2 applicants were matched.

“Residency match is a highly competitive process and occurs in two rounds, with Round 2 results to be announced in mid-April,” said Interim Dean Miriam Mobley Smith. “These impressive Round 1 results demonstrate the highest quality of these students鈥� academics, service and scholarship over their four-year career here at DKICP. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I congratulate them for their incredible efforts.”

Round 1 residency matches include:

PGY1

• Chrystal Cardoza—Norman Regional Health System, Norman, Oklahoma
• Caroline DuMoulin—St. Peter鈥檚 Hospital, Albany, New York
• May Ann Vincente Hudgins—The Queen鈥檚 Health System — QCIPN/POB Pharmacy, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Analeslie Martinez—Indian Health Service — Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, Crow Agency Reservation, Montana
• Stephanie Mojumdar—Swedish Hospital — NorthShore, Chicago, Illinois
• Matthew Neumann—Mayo Clinic Health System — Albert Lea-Austin, Austin, Minnesota
• Kalen Niimi—The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Nadra Nour—University Hospitals — 糖心Vlog官方 Meds, Parma, Ohio

PGY2

• Raha Hosseini—UW Medicine/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (oncology), Seattle, Washington
• Tiffany Lam—VA Medical Center (ambulatory care), Boise, Idaho
• Donald Waddell—University of Chicago Medicine (oncology), Chicago, Illinois

The American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) honored University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo interim Dean Miriam Mobley Smith with a Distinguished Leadership Award. The honor, which recognizes contributions to excellence in pharmacy practice leadership in acute and ambulatory care settings, was presented to Mobley Smith at the organization鈥檚 annual exhibition last December in Las Vegas.

ASHP highlighted Mobley Smith鈥檚 unwavering commitment to educate and prepare the pharmacy workforce and enhance patient safety. The organization recognized her expertise and passion for making a difference at the local level.

“I extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Mobley Smith for this well-deserved—well-earned—honor,” said Kris Roney, 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo vice chancellor for academic affairs. “糖心Vlog官方 Hilo and the 糖心Vlog官方 System have had the extraordinary fortune to see Dr. Mobley Smith鈥檚 passions at work in her efforts to bridge relationships across the System in support of advancing opportunities in pharmacy and health education. Her energy and enthusiasm, combined with an unerring commitment to high quality education, are testament to all that this award lifts up about her.”

Mobley Smith officially stepped into the pharmacy college鈥檚 interim dean role last spring. Prior to her work at 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, the veteran pharmacy academic served as interim dean and visiting professor at the Northeastern University Bourv茅 College of Health Sciences and as dean and tenured professor at the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSUCP). Her academic service includes clinical and teaching appointments at CSUCP, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and South Suburban College.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo selects interim dean for pharmacy college, January 25, 2022

Mobley Smith has helped promote pharmacy as an essential component of interprofessional patient care teams through her service as chair of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education and as a member of committees for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. She has served on advisory and governing boards for many local, state and national organizations and held leadership positions at ASHP, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the American Pharmacists Association.

A $333,000 federal grant to develop a statewide infrastructure that identifies and works to correct existing health disparities in medication use among Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Indigenous populations has been awarded to faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (DKICP). The grant is through the Minority Research Grant Program of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“The goal is to develop a brief screening tool that can be used by pharmacists to better address potential medication adherence barriers in these patients when treating chronic disease,” said Wesley Sumida, an associate professor at 糖心Vlog官方 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 pharmacy college. “We will be utilizing these results in our work funded by this new grant.”

Sumida is co-investigator of the new project, along with Karen Pellegrin, director of continuing and distance education and strategic planning at DKICP.

“In a previous research project funded by the CMS Innovation Center, called the Pharm2Pharm project, we demonstrated that pharmacists are essential to achieving higher quality, lower cost care in Hawaiʻi,” explained Pellegrin.

Research compiled by Sumida through the 糖心Vlog官方 or PIKO seeks to understand critical factors related to medication non-adherence in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island patients with diabetes and heart disease. The research team aims to incorporate his findings into the newly funded project.

糖心Vlog官方 is one of three minority-serving institutions receiving a CMS OMH grant, which is awarded to help advance health equity affecting racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, individuals with limited English proficiency, those residing in rural areas, and those adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

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The University of Hawaiʻi is requesting proposals from qualified developers to redevelop 2.49 acres of 糖心Vlog官方-owned land next to . The goal of the project is to provide students with experiential learning opportunities through the development of an alternative revenue stream for 糖心Vlog官方 other than through tuition and state funding.

The proposed project objectives includes a use that partners or collaborates with one or more 糖心Vlog官方 programs listed in the “”:

The project must also fit in the context of the surrounding community, and the developer must have an on-property physical presence and manage the project after it is built.

The deadline for submissions is December 7, 2022, and the selection is scheduled to be announced January 31, 2023. The selected developer will be required to enter into a development agreement and long-term ground lease with 糖心Vlog官方. Ownership would revert back to 糖心Vlog官方 when the ground lease expires. The agreement and lease must receive final approval from the 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents before the project can begin.

The property is located at 550 Makapuʻu Avenue across from Kapiʻolani CC and L膿ʻahi Hospital, on the same block as the recently redeveloped Diamond Head Theatre. There are no structures on the property, and a portion of it is currently being used as a temporary parking lot by the hospital.