Hawaiʻi’s physician shortage is well documented, with the state in need of an additional 700 doctors to serve the population. To help tackle this critical shortfall, Territorial Savings Bank has donated $100,000 to create a new scholarship for medical students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The scholarship is specifically intended for Hawaiʻi students who want to stay and practice in the islands.
Allan Kitagawa, Territorial Savings Bank chairman of the board, president and CEO, presented the $100,000 check to JABSOM Dean Jerris Hedges, JABSOM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Alan Otsuki and UH Foundation President and CEO Donna Vuchinich on July 2.
“We are proud to have a fully accredited and highly respected medical school here at the university,” said Kitagawa. “Our hope is that this contribution will encourage more of our medical school graduates to remain in Hawaiʻi and contribute to the future health and well-being of our citizens.”
Said Hedges, “We are very grateful to Territorial Savings Bank for investing in our students. This gift will have a tremendous impact on Hawaiʻi’s healthcare future, and is especially welcome because it will encourage local students—those most likely to remain in Hawaiʻi—to train at home. Since this scholarship is based strictly on merit, it will enable us to keep top local talent. These students are also being recruited by mainland medical schools, so having robust scholarship packages is critical to our ability to attract the best.”
The first Territorial Savings Bank Scholars will receive their awards in the 2020 academic year.
Said Vuchinich, “This generous gift from Territorial Savings Bank will help secure a healthier future, not only for the students it supports, but for our entire state. Access to qualified, culturally sensitive doctors is key to healthy communities and we are most thankful to Territorial Savings Bank for their investment.”
