FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                  

December 5, 2019

Contact:  Kim Ku‘ulei Birnie

     808-597-6550 or 808-383-1651                                           

Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship goes to nine deserving students

(Kaka‘ako, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i)   The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 cohort of scholars.  Our congratulations to all!

These nine awards are going to students attaining seven different degrees in six different professions:  medicine, psychology, pharmacy, nursing, dental hygiene, and physician assistance.

Six are in school in the continental U.S.; three are studying at home, one each in Honolulu, Hilo and Kahului.  Three students are from Maui; six are from O‘ahu.

“We are inspired by the enthusiasm of these aspiring health professionals to serve their communities,” proclaimed Sheri-Ann Daniels, executive director of Papa Ola Lōkahi, which administers the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.

The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) is to improve both accessibility and acceptability of health care.  It has contributed to building a health work force that is knowledgeable and committed to serving the unique needs of Hawaiian communities.

The NHHSP is modeled after the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which was established in 1972.  As with the NHSC, the award obliges the scholar, 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, almost 300 NHHSP awards have been made in 20 different primary and behavioral health care disciplines. 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 who have fulfilled their service obligations have continued to serve medically underserved areas and populations in Hawai‘i.

“The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program has been vital to building capacity in the health workforce,” Dr. Daniels continues. “The students of today, will in 10, 15, 20 years be the leaders across Hawai‘i’s health care system. This is the quintessential grow-your-own program.”

Visit www.nhhsp.org for more information about the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.

The next round of applications will open on February 1, 2020.

PDF News Release attached

Poster attached

# # #

fShare

Tweet

Papa Ola Lōkahi’s mission is to improve the health status and well-being of Native Hawaiians and others by advocating for, initiating and maintaining culturally appropriate strategic actions aimed at improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of Native Hawaiians and their ‘ohana and empowering them to determine their own destinies.

Through SCR 74 S.D 1, the 29th Legislature of the State of Hawaii requested of Papa Ola Lōkahi to assess the impacts on the social, financial, and cultural integrity of providing health coverage for Hawaiian culture-based activities that have shown to be effective in managing weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Researchers have been studying the health benefits of hula for more than 10 years and have published several peer reviewed articles on their findings.

This completely anonymous survey was developed to collect the insight and input of kumu hula with regard to hula being offered as a reimbursable health/wellness insurance benefit. Please complete this survey as your manaʻo is invaluable in this assessment process. The aggregated results will be shared in an impact assessment report to the 2020 Legislature.

• Link to survey
• Link to publications

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (808) 597-6550 with questions or additional comments. Mahalo.

fShare

Tweet

SHERI-ANN DANIELS APPOINTED TO SERVE ON HAWAI‘I TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [PDF download]:   October 24, 2019

(Kaka‘ako, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i) – Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels, Executive Director of Papa Ola Lōkahi, has been appointed by Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Bruce S. Anderson to serve on the department’s Tobacco Prevention & Control Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board is responsible for developing a strategic plan for tobacco prevention and control, including developing effective programs, identifying benchmarks and initiating standards for evaluation, and assessing the effectiveness of such programs.

“I look forward to serving with my colleagues to develop effective strategies that will reduce the use of tobacco in all its forms throughout Hawai‘i,” said Dr. Daniels.  “I have admired the progress of the tobacco prevention and control program as it has carried out its work to identify priority populations and strategize toward improving health outcomes.”

The State’s 2016-2020 Tobacco Use Prevention and Control in Hawai‘i Five Year Strategic Plan identifies Native Hawaiians as a priority population due to smoking prevalence that is higher among Native Hawaiians than other ethnicities, particularly among high school students. 

“I’m particularly committed to bringing the wisdom and experiences from Hawaiian communities to this effort,” says Dr. Daniels.

As executive director of the Hawaiian health board, Dr. Daniels leads efforts to improve the overall health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and their families, through strategic partnerships, programs and public policy. This appointment, effective immediately, shall serve out the remainder of a three-year term that began July 1, 2017.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Dr. Daniels received her bachelor’s in family resources from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She carries a master’s in counseling psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu, a doctorate from Argosy University, and holds several license certifications. Dr. Daniels is actively involved in various community organizations on Maui and O‘ahu, including Hawaiian language education.

Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program

Improving Hawaiian Health and Well-Being for More Than 30 Years

# # #

fShare

Tweet

Getty Images

PAPA OLA LŌKAHI HONORS AND SUPPORTS SACRED PLACES

Ka ʻIkena—the vision adopted by Papa Ola Lōkahi—is a thriving Native community composed of healthy individuals and families informed about their rich heritage and culture, living in a state of lōkahi (unity), and making informed choices and responsible decisions in a safe island society that is pono (in proper order).

Among our guiding principles is mālama: a Hawaiian cultural value that guides our work to nurture, care for, and steward. As the Board of Directors for a Native Hawaiian-serving organization, we recognize that our edict of mālama encompasses people, the environment, and our living culture.

As Kānaka Maoli making up the Native Hawaiian Health Board, we know that wahi kapu, sacred places, are essential to Hawaiian identity, health and well-being.

Papa Ola Lōkahi supports the protection and preservation of all sacred places in the interest of perpetuating traditional and customary rights of Native Hawaiians.

E ola mau a mau.

Ratified by Papa Ola Lōkahi board, July 16, 2019 [PDF]

Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program

Improving Hawaiian Health and Well-Being for 30 Years

# pau #

fShare

Tweet