(Kaka‘ako, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i) The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program announces awards to nine students in medicine, nursing, social work, psychology and dietetics.
“We’re so pleased with the diversity of backgrounds represented by the scholars in this cohort,” exclaims Dr. Sheri Daniels, executive director of Papa Ola Lōkahi, which administers the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.
Four (4) are studying in the continental U.S., two (2) in Hilo, two (2) at UH Mānoa and one (1) at Chaminade. One student is from Molokai, three (3) are from Hawai‘i, two (2) from O‘ahu, one from the continental U.S. and one who claims home both O‘ahu and U.S.
Modeled after the National Health Service Corps, the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) has been a catalyst in building a workforce knowledgeable, capable and committed to serving the unique needs of Hawaiian communities. Each graduating scholar is obliged, upon completion of study and licensure, to serve full-time in a clinical capacity in medically under-served areas in Hawai'i for a period commensurate with the length of scholarship support.
Since 1991, more than 300 NHHSP awards have been made in 20 different primary and behavioral health care disciplines and even more sub-specialties. More than 200 have been placed into the workforce across six islands impacting the well-being of the communities they serve. More than half of those have chosen to stay in those communities beyond the required service obligation.
“This program has identified individuals committed to their communities by improving the accessibility and acceptability of health care,” shares Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko, NHHSP director and herself a NHHSP alumna.
“Many of our NHHSP alumni have risen to positions of leadership in the local medical, public health and Hawaiian communities,” Dr. Daniels continues. “Which is exactly what the early Hawaiian health program visionaries hoped for 30 years ago; a competent workforce dedicated to providing day-to-day health care that will contribute to raising the health status of Native Hawaiians and their families. That’s servant leadership.”
Visit www.nhhsp.org for more information about the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.
The next round of applications is now open through March 15, 2021.
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