Three medical students enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) were awarded full-tuition scholarships as part of the Papa Ola Lokahi Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP). Madison Williams (MS 2023) of Kula, Maui; Ashley Mainani Lee (MS 2025) of Heʻeia, Oʻahu; and Awapuhi Lee (MS 2025) of Pearl City, Oʻahu are among 10 recipients of the program’s 2021–22 cohort of scholars and are all graduates of Kamehameha Schools.
Modeled after the National Health Service Corps, NHHSP has been a catalyst in building a workforce knowledgeable, capable and committed to serving the unique needs of Hawaiian communities. Each graduating scholar is required, upon completion of study and licensure, to serve full-time in a clinical capacity in medically under-served areas in Hawaiʻi for two to four years depending on the length of scholarship support.
“We’re so pleased with the diversity of experiences in this cohort. These scholars join a vast network of Native Hawaiian health professionals,” said Donna-Marie Palakiko, director of Papa Ola Lōkahi’s health workforce development initiative, Mauli Ola Mālamalama.
Scholars will receive funding for tuition, books, other related educational costs and a monthly stipend while enrolled at JABSOM. A coordinated service plan (licensure, service site) will be designed specifically for each graduate.
Since 1991, more than 300 NHHSP awards have been made in 20 different primary and behavioral health care disciplines, and 48 of them awarded to JABSOM students. More than 200 have been placed into the workforce across six islands impacting the well-being of the communities they serve, and more than half of those have chosen to stay in those communities beyond the required service obligation.
“So many of our NHHSP alumni have risen to positions of leadership in medical, public health and Hawaiian communities. Beyond building a Hawaiian health workforce, this program has been a catalyst for Hawaiian leadership development,” said Sheri Daniels, Papa Ola Lokahi executive director.
For more go to the JABSOM website.
This recognition is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of Enhancing Student Success (PDF), one of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Strategic Plan (PDF), updated in December 2020.
