(Kaka‘ako, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i)   Congratulations to eleven (11) awardees in the 2022-2023 cohort of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP).

The recipients include two (2) physicians, a master level social worker, a psychologist and a physician’s assistant.  This cohort also has six nursing students: three attaining bachelor’s degrees and three working toward their doctorates.

These new awardees join more than 320 health care professionals across 20 different primary and behavioral health care disciplines and even more sub-specialties. More than 200 have joined the health workforce across six islands impacting the mauli ola, well-being, of the communities they serve. More than half have remained in those communities beyond the required service obligation.

Established in 1991, the NHHSP has impacted health care delivery by increasing the body of providers that are competent, knowledgeable, and committed to serving the unique needs of Hawaiian communities. Each scholar commits to serve full-time in a clinical capacity in medically under-served areas in Hawai’i for a period proportionate to the length of scholarship support.

“These scholars represent the next generation of professionals poised to serve the health care needs of our island communities,” shares Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko, herself a NHHSP alumna and director of Papa Ola Lōkahi’s health workforce development office, Mauli Ola Mālamalama. “Once in the community, these new professionals have attracted individuals who had avoided seeking care for years, sometimes decades.”

Three of the awarded students are from Maui; the others from O‘ahu. Six have been accepted into accredited programs in the continental US, two are in school at Chaminade University of Honolulu, two are at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and one is at Hawai‘i Pacific University.

“They join an expanding network of Hawaiian health professionals, colleagues at the ready.” Dr. Sheri Daniels, Papa Ola Lokahi executive director adds, “Beyond building a Hawaiian health workforce, this program has set a course for Hawaiian leadership development. So many of our NHHSP alumni have risen to positions of leadership in medical, public health, academic and Hawaiian communities.”

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

Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort will open on February 1 and close on March 15, 2023.

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