Hāmākua-Kohala Health expanding our Women’s Health Program

Get the Conversation Started at Your Next Well-Woman Visit

A well-woman visit is a preventive checkup with your healthcare doctor or nurse practitioner. It’s a time to check-in on how you’re doing, how you’d like to be doing, and what changes you can make to reach your health goals.

Looking Forward to our New Prenatal Care Program!

During prenatal care women receive specialized health care services including health screening, risk assessment and education to prevent or treat pregnancy complications, and referrals for additional services.

Our plan is to offer early entry into prenatal care. The goals of prenatal care are to make sure the mother and baby are healthy and prevent potential maternal and newborn issues. During prenatal care, pregnancy problems can be detected as early as possible so that they can be monitored or treated before a woman gives birth.

Now Offering State-of-the-Art Ultrasound Services

In an effort to continually improve healthcare to our community, Hāmākua-Kohala Health has recently purchased a new ultrasound machine so our patients will have access to early pregnancy dating.

We are Pleased to Introduce Robin Ramsey, APRN; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Robin has been providing women’s health services for over 28 years specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

Women’s Health Services Include:

FREE and CONFIDENTIAL Family Planning Testing and Counseling and Exams for Adults and Teens
Well-Women Physicals include a breast exam, pelvic exam and a PAP test
Low cost or FREE Birth Control and FREE Emergency Contraception
STD and HIV Testing, Counseling and Treatment
Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) – Getting your well-woman exam is the key to prevention and early detection of cancer. Hāmākua-Kohala Health offers free cervical cancer screenings with a PAP test and free breast cancer screening with exam and mammogram
Behavioral Health Services – Client-Centered Treatment is healing the whole individual; physically, emotionally and spiritually by integrating primary care and behavioral health. Including: postpartum depression, parenting skills and relationship support, marital and family communication problems, significant life changes or disruptions, physical health maintenance and a substance use disorder cessation counseling program
National Diabetes Prevention Program with Lifestyle Coach – Jennifer Valera. Nine out of 10 people have prediabetes and don’t even know it, and around 30% of those with prediabetes will develop diabetes within five years unless they make some lifestyle changes. Over the last 18 months, program participants have lost a combined weight of nearly 500 pounds! New classes are forming now. Call Jennifer today at 930–2770 for more information and to sign–up for new classes.
Medfusion Patient Portal – Using the latest technology, patients can make appointments, view laboratory results, and view medical records over the internet from their home or on the go. Better electronic heath records lead to better patient care. To learn more about the new Medfusion Patient Portal ask to sign–up at either health center or click here.

MOST HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS COVER LIFESAVING PREVENTATIVE TESTS. USE THE HEALTH BENEFITS YOU ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR TO GET SCREENED! As a community-based health center, Hāmākua-Kohala Health provides comprehensive primary and preventative healthcare to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status.

Make an appointment today at one of our clinics

Breast Health Program

Our Breast Health Program provides breast and cervical screenings and follow-up diagnostics for uninsured and under-insured women, and education and outreach in North Hawai’i communities. Hamaku-Kohala Health receives funding from Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Hawaii and Hawaii Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.

The mission of the program is to decrease deaths from breast cancer in North Hawai’i; decrease disparities in screening and treatment for uninsured women; increase the number of women who receive regular screenings, early diagnosis and treatment; and promote awareness of breast health, early detection and treatment. The programs support well-women exams for women ages 40-64, including physical exam, breast exam and pelvic exam with PAP Test. If a cancer is found women are then enrolled in the Hawaii Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.

Hamakua-Kohala Health also receives funding from the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Family Planning to insure all women and men have access to contraceptive services.

To Encourage Breastfeeding

Breast-feeding provides baby with custom-made antibodies
Breast-feeding provides a feel-good hormone boost – Studies show breastfeeding, through the hormone oxytocin, helps baby see the world in friendlier terms. It helps calm them down, be more social, and feel safe. Bonding between a mother and a baby during breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact promotes oxytocin, the “love” hormone. 1
Breast-feeding provides the perfect nutrients – Remember the recommendation that you should eat what’s in season? Your baby gets perfectly tailored food for all seasons. Your breast milk is more watery in the summer, and thicker and higher in fat during the cold months. Breast-feeding is the perfect way to keep baby hydrated, satiated, and never too far away from their source of food!
Breast-feeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 2
Breast-feeding your baby will give you a boost in self-esteem – Do the ups and downs caused by postpartum hormones plus an irregular and insufficient sleep schedule affect your mood? That’s one reason to hold your baby close and nurse them. 3
Breast-feeding reduces the risk of cancer. 4 & 5
Mastitis – If you are a nursing mother, spending more time topless may help you with breastfeeding. Letting your breasts air-dry after a nursing session can help heal cracked nipples. You may also reduce your risk of a mastitis infection of the breast ducts, resulting in swelling and redness. If left untreated, an abscess may form. Mastitis can develop when bacteria from your baby’s mouth gets into your breast through your nipple during breastfeeding. Allowing your breasts to spend time out in the air instead of wearing a restrictive bra with a milk pad that will get soaked with fluid and sit for an extended period of time can prevent infection. 6