University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) alumnus Kenneth Luke has been tapped to lead the Hawaiʻi State Hospital, the state’s only forensic psychiatric hospital located in Kāneʻohe.
Luke, who earned his MD in 1988, has been serving as the interim hospital administrator since May and will be overseeing the full operation of the hospital and its 600-plus employees.
“Ken has a broad array of professional experience in Hawaiʻi. His familiarity with our state’s mental health system, as well as his past work in the private sector, make him an excellent selection as the new administrator for the Hawaiʻi State Hospital,” said Marian Tsuji, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health deputy director for behavioral health. “We all look forward to working with him in his new role at the hospital.”
In addition to being a JABSOM grad, Luke is also a board-certified psychiatrist and completed his residency at JABSOM’s psychiatry program.
“Dr. Luke is an exceptional psychiatrist and is dedicated to providing compassionate mental health care,” said JABSOM Interim Dean Lee Buenconsejo-Lum. “As the nation navigates a growing mental health crisis, his appointment to lead Hawaiʻi State Hospital is a testament to his outstanding leadership and vision for the state. We are proud that JABSOM alumni like Dr. Luke are leading the state forward to ensure high quality, compassionate care for some of our most vulnerable populations.”
