STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3896

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 554

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 554, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Health Planning Council, Windward Oahu Subarea

G.M. No. 554

CHERIE CHU, for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Cherie Chu for service on the Health Planning Council, Windward Oahu Subarea.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cherie Chu from the State Health Planning and Development Agency and University of Hawaiʻi System.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Chu's background and extensive experience in the health care field qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Health Planning Council, Windward Oahu Subarea. Your Committee notes that Dr. Chu is a Board Certified Clinical Care Pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Dr. Chu has been serving as a Clinical Pharmacist at The Queen's Medical Center Emergency Department since 2014, and as a practicing Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, serving as an ICU Clinical Pharmacist at Adventist Health Castle Medical Center since 2013. Dr. Chu teaches multiple pharmacy courses, has co-authored peer-reviewed health publications, and conducted numerous continuing education presentations and research projects. Your Committee also notes that Dr. Chu's experience as a front-line worker during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has given her valuable insights into the inequities in the current health care system, gaps in care, community health needs, and the importance of collaboration and advocacy in achieving positive health outcomes. Your Committee acknowledges testimony stating that Dr. Chu has been serving as a valuable member of the Windward Oahu Subarea Health Planning Council, and find that her skills, expertise, and knowledge in emergency and acute care and over ten years of experience as a licensed pharmacist will continue to increase the effectiveness of the Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Cherie Chu be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Windward Oahu Subarea based on her knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair