STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3936

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 507, 659, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 507, 659, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, and 670, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai'i Medical Education Council

 

G.M. No. 507

CHRISTOPHER YHEULON

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 659

JUDE DOMIZIO

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 665

LANCE SEGAWA

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 666

MARTINA KAMAKA

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 667

COLLEEN INOUYE BAUM

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 668

TAMMY HO

for a term to expire 06-30-2029;

 

G.M. No. 669

MARY ANN SPADARO ANTONELLI

for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and

 

G.M. No. 670

RUSSELL WOO

for a term to expire 06-30-2029,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Christopher Yheulon, Jude Domizio, Lance Segawa, Martina Kamaka, Colleen Inouye Baum, Tammy Ho, Mary Ann Spadaro Antonelli, and Russell Woo for service on the Hawaii Medical Education Council.

 

CHRISTOPHER YHEULON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Christopher Yheulon from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Yheulon's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing a hospital at which accredited graduate medical education programs are conducted.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Yheulon is a U.S. Army veteran and obtained his first of many medical licenses in 2009.  Dr. Yheulon has served as a surgical educator for over a decade and currently works as the Chief of General Surgery, Chief of Bariatric Surgery, and Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at Tripler Army Medical Center.  Dr. Yheulon has also been the Designated Institutional Officer for the Center's Graduate Medical Education programs for a year, where he manages institutional accreditation, program oversight, compliance, budgeting, and stakeholder coordination.  Further demonstrating his dedication to medical education, Dr. Yheulon also serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Yheulon is an active member in his profession and volunteers as a reviewer and contributor for several surgical journals.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Yheulon has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and his extensive experience in medical education, clinical excellence, and surgical innovation will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Christopher Yheulon be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

 

JUDE DOMIZIO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jude Domizio from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and Hawaiʻi Island Area Health Education Center. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Domizio's experience and commitment to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a public member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Domizio has been an executive in health care education since 2017 and currently works as the Associate Director of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation.  Mr. Domizio is responsible for workshop development, coordination of the AHEC Scholars Program, and guiding students through educational pathway planning.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Domizio is an active member in his community and volunteers with the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, in addition to training and coaching young athletes.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Domizio has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and his extensive experience in rural health access and health care education on neighbor islands will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Jude Domizio be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on his knowledge, background, and commitment to public service.

 

LANCE SEGAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Lance Segawa from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Corporate Board of Directors. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Segawa's background, experience, and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing the health professions community.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Segawa has been working in health care administration for over forty years and currently works as the Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation's Kauai Region, where he also previously worked as the Corporate Executive Director of Operations and Corporate Chief Operating Officer.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Segawa is an active member in his profession and is affiliated with various professional organizations, including as President of the Board of Kauai Region Medical Group, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Kahuku Medical Center, and member of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Segawa has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and his extensive experience in governance, communication, strategic planning, and project management in the field of health care will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Lance Segawa be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

MARTINA KAMAKA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Martina Kamaka from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Kamaka's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing the health professions community.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Kamaka has been a board-certified physician in family medicine since 1989 and currently works as a family physician supporting the Hale Mohalu Hansen's Disease Branch and closely collaborating with the Department of Health.  Dr. Kamaka also serves as an Associate Professor in the John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Native Hawaiian Health and the Director for the Cultural Competency Curriculum Development Project.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Kamaka is an active member in her community and frequently volunteers her time with several organizations working to address statewide health care disparities, especially for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations.  Dr. Kamaka is also a founder and board member of the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress Council and board member of Ahahui o na Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Kamaka has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and her extensive experience in education, research, and community service will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Martina Kamaka be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on her experience, background, and desire to serve her community.

 

COLLEEN INOUYE BAUM

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Colleen Inouye Baum from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Inouye Baum's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be reappointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing the health professions community.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Inouye Baum has been a board-certified physician in pediatric and adolescent gynecology since 1988 and currently works at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa as an Assistant Clinical Professor and Co-Director of educational rotations at the Maui Memorial Medical Center.  Previously, Dr. Inouye Baum managed her own private practice on Maui for thirty-seven years.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Inouye Baum has served on the Council since 2022 and contributes a uniquely valuable perspective due to her academic background in population health and professional experience as an independent, private practitioner in a rural neighbor island community.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Inouye Baum's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Colleen Inouye Baum be reappointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

TAMMY HO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Tammy Ho from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ho's knowledge and commitment to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing a hospital at which accredited graduate medical education programs are conducted.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Ho has been a research administration and academic affairs professional for over twenty years and currently works as the Director of Academic Affairs at The Queen's Medical Center, where she has helped to successfully expand its residency and fellowship programs by collaborating with the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to obtain accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for four new programs.  Previously, Ms. Ho was the Director of the Grants Development Office at the John A. Burns School of Medicine from 2006 to 2023.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Ho is an active contributor to her professional community and has been a member of the Society of Research Administrators since 1992.  Ms. Ho was also a founding member of the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Ho has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and her extensive experience in grants administration and implementation, policy development, and oversight of research compliance and ethics will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Tammy Ho be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

MARY ANN SPADARO ANTONELLI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Mary Ann Spadaro Antonelli from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Antonelli's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be reappointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing the federal healthcare sector.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Antonelli has been a board-certified doctor of internal medicine since 1974 and currently works as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education at the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System.  Previously, Dr. Antonelli held various academic and clinical appointments, including as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Antonelli has served on the Council since 2022 and her extensive professional experience as a faculty educator and supervisor, practicing physician, and health systems leader will continue to benefit the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mary Ann Spadaro Antonelli be reappointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

RUSSELL WOO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Russell Woo from the Office of the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and one individual. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Woo's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council as a member representing a hospital at which accredited graduate medical education programs are conducted.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Woo has been a medical professional since 2000 and currently works as the Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, and Professor of Surgery and Division Chief for Pediatric Surgery at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Dr. Woo is also a board certified pediatric surgeon and the Director of Surgical Education at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, where he has gained firsthand knowledge of the barriers local families face in access to care.  Dr. Woo additionally serves as the Chief Academic Officer for Hawaii Pacific Health Medical Group.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Woo is an active member in his profession, serving on the Executive Council of the Hawaii Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and as Chair of the Telehealth Sub-Committee of the Education Committee of the American Pediatric Surgical Association.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Woo has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and his extensive experience in graduate medical education and the creation, organization, conduct, and evaluation of residency and fellowship programs will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Medical Education Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Russell Woo be appointed to the Hawaii Medical Education Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair