Greetings. It is my sincere hope that this message reaches you in good health and security. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty and challenges to all of our lives, and its impact will be far reaching and lasting. This global medical crisis has served to underscore the importance of our continued commitment at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii to train competent and compassionate physicians who are skilled to deliver quality health care in a fast-changing world.
March 20, 2020 was Match Day, a time-honored celebration with classmates, mentors, family, and friends. While circumstances dictated a far different event, I was able to perform the same happy task this Match Day that I have done every year as Program Director. I cheerfully called our five incoming first-year residents who matched to our program. On behalf of their fellow residents, our faculty & staff, and our administrative team, I excitedly welcomed Kathryn "Kiana" Choo Loy, Ethan Chun, Jennifer Foster, Helena Holmgren, and Jordan Jensen. They in turn are eager to begin the next phase in their medical training.
For everything there is a season, and, as we welcome our incoming class, we also bid farewell to our graduating seniors. They too will be sent off with far less pomp than we had planned. But, happily, their forwarding addresses will not be too far away. Dr. Matthew Chan will be our newest primary care physician at our Honolulu Medical Office Building, and Dr. Hisami Oba will be our Chief Resident for the 2020-2021 academic year. Congratulations, Matt and Hisami! I also wish to thank Dr. Henry Lew and Dr. Valynn Chong for their services as co-Chief Residents this past year.
Finally, at the end of this academic year Dr. Linda Kuribayashi, our Designated Institutional Official, will retire. It is my honor to represent all who are associated with the program in expressing our sincere gratitude for her service as our first DIO and to wish her the best in her newest chapter in life.
Stay safe & stay well,
Mitch Motooka