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August 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health receives PCMH recognition
Congratulations team! Today the National Committee for Quality Assurance recognized our HKH health centers on achieving “Recognition for Delivering High-Quality, Patient-Centered Care”. ♥️
PCMH recognition involves and highlights the importance of team-based care, care coordination, communication and quality improvements to best serve our patients while also creating a healthy, safe environment for staff.
Hāmākua-Kohala Health…Caring for your ʻohana, Caring for you!
July 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health Welcomes John Raymond White as Chief Executive Officer
Tthe Hāmākua-Kohala Health Center Board of Directors, including Ken Kaneshiro as President, Diana Moriarty as Vice President, and Nidhi Chabora as its Secretary welcomed John White as Chief Executive Officer.
White was most recently CEO & Superintendent of Mid-Valley Hospital and Clinic in Omak, Washington, a rural public hospital district with over $100 Million in annual revenue in its critical access hospital and provider-based rural health clinic. Prior to Omak, White’s tenure in Hawaii included roles as CEO of North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea and Hospital Administrator of Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu. White’s thirty-year career spanned five other rural hospital and clinic systems in Washington and Oregon.
Some of White’s past accomplishments include overseeing construction of a new, full-replacement hospital in Newport, WA; building a major expansion to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu; and engineering hospital turnarounds in both Omak and Waimea. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University and a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Washington.
Board Chair Ken Kaneshiro said “White brings an entire career of visionary leadership with medical staff, finance and strategy, government regulations and relations, fund raising and construction. Welcome back to North Hawaii!”
The HKH Board solicited input from the staff after numerous interviews to ensure selection of a candidate embodying the qualities of a servant leader, possessing exceptional communication skills, exhibiting an in-depth knowledge of medical management, as well as guiding healthcare organizations through turn-around, fund raising, and large-scale construction.
White was selected after an exhaustive nationwide search. According to board member Ravi Singh: “Our ‘ohana deserves only the best and brightest. Our search was across the country, fielding 87 applications from coast to coast. We conducted dozens of phone interviews with at least two or more Board members, continuing with 12 video interviews with the entire Board and our Interim CEO, Cathy Marquette. From these semi-finalists came 3 well-veted finalists who were flown to the Big Island for intensive in-person interviews with clinic staff and the Board. We, and the community, were fortunate to have had such a difficult choice. It was clear that John White was singularly qualified to become our new CEO.”
White arrived on island July 1. “This is a homecoming for me – back to my place, my community, my purpose. I am grateful to the HKH Board for their confidence and support. Looking forward to the deeply meaningful work of caring for and improving the total health of our community!”
Chair Kaneshiro and the HKH Board sincerely thank and appreciate Cathy Marquette APRN for her year-long role as interim executive while at the same time continuing her medical practice. “Cathy took us through a challenging time with great skill, tenacity, and a vision for the Health Center. A huge success – and we are through this transition, thanks to her. Our deepest gratitude and respect for a job well done; a job far beyond anything we could’ve asked. Mahalo nui loa, Cathy!”
June 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health welcomes Dr. Sarah Novickis, PhD
Dr. Sarah Novickis is a licensed psychologist specializing in developmental, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological evaluations for all ages. She has a specific focus in the areas of Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood development. Dr. Novickis is also a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and has specialized training and experience in the treatment of Autism and other Neurodiverse individuals. Dr. Novickis also has extensive training in the treatment of developmental disabilities, ADHD, behavioral issues, trauma, attachment, anxiety, depression, parent training, and consultation with schools.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Novickis please call:
Behavioral Health Line: (808) 747-6480
June 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health welcomes Marriage and Family Therapist, Yvonne Manupuna
As a family therapist, born and raised in Hawai’i, Yvonne is passionate about serving our communities. For over a decade she have served in a non-profit, community and private sector on Maui, addressing substance use, child and adolescent development, as well as couples and family issues. Currently, Yvonne is also doing research on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander mental health in hopes to expand our understanding of culturally attuned care. Since moving to Hawai’i Island in 2020, she has recognized the ever-growing need for mental health support on Hawaii Island. “I am honored to be a part of the Hamakua-Kohala health clinic where I will be providing individual, couples and family therapy to support mental health challenges including; substance use, trauma, life transitions, maternal mental health, anxiety, depression, and other relational issues.”
To schedule an appointment with Yvonne, MFT please call:
Behavioral Health Line: (808) 747-6480
May 3, 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health, Cultural Practitioner Darrell Lapulapu featured on KITV4 Island Life Live
Darrell Lapulapu practices the traditional healing technique of lomilomi, a method of massage. He is passionate about Hawaiian, Eastern, and alternative healing medicine. These practices assess the healing process for the body, mind and soul. He studied with Papa Henry Auwae, Master of Hawaiian Herbal medicine.
In his spare time, Darrell enjoys surfing, sailing, traveling, cooking and garden work.
To schedule a lomilomi massage appointment please call:
Waimea site: (808) 887-6460
Kohala site: (808) 889-6236
October 12, 2024— Hāmākua-Kohala Health to host Sugar Days Festival PARADE
Happening Saturday, October 12th, 2024 in historic Honokaʻa Town.
We are looking for Plantation Workers (parade participants). If you or someone you know has worked for the sugar plantation OR has roots to the sugar plantation and interested in participating in the parade please contact: Kai Carvalho: scarvalho@hamakua-health.org or (808)640-6095
April 2024— Mahalo and a hui hou Dr. Jude McAnesby!
January 2024— Practice one or more of these tips to de-stress as we begin the New Year.
August 28th— Hāmākua-Kohala Health receives PCMH Certificate of Recognition.
As a recognized (PCMH) Patient Centered Medical Home, Hāmākua-Kohala Health is able to achieve Recognition for Systematic Use of Patient-Centered, and Coordinated Care Management Processes by providing our patients with quality care and access to services and resources such as transportation, food, shelter, and other social determinants of health.
Congratulations to our HKH staff in continuing to meet the guidelines and expectations to receive PCMH recognition now going on 9 years!
August 21st through September 5th— Telehealth Survey Available
To better serve our communities we would like to hear from YOU. Click on the link below to complete the on-line survey or stop by any of our four locations in Honokaʻa, Kohala, Laupāhoehoe, and Waimea to complete a paper survey.
Physician Assistant Toni Caravalho.
November 2023— Save-the-date! Breast Cancer Awareness Event
On Friday, November 3rd, 2023 we will be hosting Ladies Night Out, a breast cancer awareness event at the Honokaa Gym Complex from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be health screenings available, informational vendors, craft and retail vendors as well as activities including massage, nail painting, and much more! Call us at (808) 930-2759 for more information.
July 2023— Join us this Saturday at Kohala High School for the Kohala Back to School Bash!
The Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, July 22nd at the Kohala High School from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. It is an admission free event open to all! There will be informational vendors, craft and food vendors available. There will also be face painting, jumping castle, maze and free school supplies for keiki . Be sure to scan the QR code to register your child. Call us at (808) 930-2759 for more information.
Our plans are in the making for a new health center in Honokaʻa!
Hāmākua-Kohala Health will be expanding services from our current location on Plumeria Street to an additional location above the Honokaʻa Skatepark.
The new health center will include primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and much more!
Visit “Ways To Give” to donate to a new health care facility to better serve our communities!
Growing Our Own!
Physician Assistant Toni Caravalho started with Hāmākua-Kohala Health in 2013 as a Health Insurance Coordinator helping the Kohala community to get the health care coverage they needed.
Over the years she has also served in our Quality Improvement department gaining the knowledge and experience that would assist her as she continued her journey to higher learning. Now ten years later she serves the Kohala and Waimea communities as one of our many healthcare providers.
June 2023— Mahalo for your years of service Dr. Harper, enjoy retirement!
As one of our internist here at Hāmākua-Kohala Health for the past few years not to mention your time spent here before moving to Maui, know that your expertise, knowledge and sense of humor will be missed!
Dr. Irving Harper III retires from Hamakua-Kohala Health after years of providing health care at our Honokaa and Waimea clinic sites.
May 2023— Hamakua-Kohala Health to host first health fair event since 2019.
The Kick-Off to Summer Bash will be held on Saturday, May 6th at the Honokaa Gym Complex from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. It is an admission free event open to all! There will be over 20 informational vendors available including Hawaii Life Flight, Legal Aid Society, AlohaCare, HMSA, ‘Ohana Health Care, and United Health Care Quest. There will also be a keiki zone with face painting, jumping castle, and Keiki ID. Covid vaccination clinic will also be available for those looking to get their booster shot. Call us at (808) 930-2759 for more information on our upcoming health fair event.
November 2022— Hamakua-Kohala Health receives Community Partner Award “Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii Alakaʻi Award”
Jen Valera & Kai Carvalho, Hāmākua-Kohala Health Staff Members received Outstanding Community Partner recognition in Tobacco Control by the Hawaii Public Health Institute. We would like to thank all the team members and partners that contribute into making these efforts and success possible.
November 2022 —Growing and accelerating in the Medical Field recognition.
September 2022 —American Heart Association and American Medical Association “Silver Recognition awarded to Hamakua-Kohala Health”
In recognition for your commitment to improving blood pressure control through accurate measurement among your adult patients.
What’s happening to the Old Honoka’a Infirmary now that it’s demolished? Sharon Cariaga-Alfonso, Business Development Director, shares insights for our future expansion of Hamakua-Kohala Health in Honoka’a.
With the upcoming Honoka’a facility, we will continue to serve our communities by being accessible. We are committed to providing quality healthcare, whether uninsured, underinsured, or insured.
Our comprehensive services in our upcoming facility include Primary Care, Dental, Behavioral Health, and other enabling services to keep you and our community healthy. We would like to acknowledge and appreciate your generous aloha, patience, and support throughout the years.
Are you concerned about your blood pressure, or would you like to learn more about how to improve your blood pressure? One of our many healthier you programs offers Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring.
We have Ashley, Medical Assistant, demonstrating how to use the monitor correctly. At Hāmākua-Kohala Health, we teach our patients how to self-monitor their blood pressure daily at home or wherever. We provide clinical support, one on one counseling, and education.
To learn more about our health education programs, call us at (808) 775-7204.
How to monitor your blood pressure Ashley, Medical Assistant of Hamakua Kohala Health demonstrates using an at-home blood pressure monitor and reading your blood pressure. To learn more about our health education programs or to schedule an appointment, call us at (808) 775-7204. Whether insured or uninsured, we can help you.
Are you ready for a nutritional diet and a better you? Melody, our Care Coordinator, shares insights with one of our many healthier you programs. The VeggieRX, The Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program, helps our patients who may need support with nutritional education, diabetes, and hypertension, to name a few. The VeggieRX is a fantastic partnership with our local farmer’s market, where we get fresh fruits and produce. Learn more about VeggieRX and our other healthier you programs by contacting Hāmākua-Kohala Health at (808) 775-7204. This program is part of being a Federally Qualified Health Clinic.
Let’s make a refreshing local-style tofu salad! Melody (Care Coordinator) from Hamakua Kohala Health, Healthier You Programs, demonstrates an easy-to-make Tofu Salad using local fresh vegetables from our local farmers and Veggie RX program. Let’s continue to make healthier choices.
Did you know flossing is essential to preventing teeth and gum problems? Learn the proper way to floss your teeth with Dr. Joseph Coleman, DDS of Hamakua Kohala Health. Practice this technique to have healthier teeth and gum, and reduce undesired visits to the dentist. Hamakua Kohala Health is currently serving twenty years and younger patients at our Kohala and Waimea clinics.
Have you been diagnosed with pre-diabetes? Not sure if you have pre-diabetes? Get tested today at Hamakua Kohala Health to get enrolled. It is not necessary to be a patient of Hamakua Kohala Health. Our Diabetes Prevention program is a year-long curriculum with tools to get you on the right track. Call us today and find out how you can get started. Hamakua Kohala Health Diabetes Prevention Program Direct line: (808) 930-2770 Main: (808) 775-7204
Are you trying to quit tobacco smoking? Jan Valera, Health Literacy Director, and our other Quit Tobacco Specialists of Hamakua Kohala Health help individuals who want to quit smoking. This tobacco treatment program will assist you with all the right tools to help you quit smoking. Anyone can participate, but you must be 18 years or older. Call us today to find out more about how you can get started on quitting smoking.
We offer our patients free transportation. Do you need a ride to your appointment? One of the best things about Hamakua-Kohala Health is we offer our patients a free ride to their doctor’s appointments and pharmacy. If you live between Ninole, Kohala & Waikoloa areas, we will gladly pick you up and drop you off. Our patients enjoy this wonderful transportation service!
Free home Covid-19 test kit, and N-95 Mask while available at all locations.We are here to help our North Hawaii communities with Covid-19 services offered at Hamakua Kohala Health. Covid-19 services are offered at our Honokaa, Waimea, and Kohala Clinics.
For more Healthier You videos, subscribe to our Hamakua Kohala Health YouTube Channel