A team of researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 has received a grant to help turn their innovative wound healing technology into a real-world solution for chronic wounds.

Associate Professor Ellinor Haglund, serving as the project鈥檚 technical lead, and graduate student Ivy Vo, the entrepreneurial lead, are developing their project, WoundWhiz: Genius Wound Healing Technology. The initiative focuses on using cutting-edge protein science to develop an enzyme-based therapeutic designed to accelerate the healing process of chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds affect approximately 6.5 million people in the U.S. each year, contributing to an estimated $25 billion in healthcare costs. A primary factor in delayed healing is an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation, which impede the body鈥檚 natural recovery processes. WoundWhiz aims to address this challenge by promoting faster and more effective wound healing.

“This project has the potential to transform wound care not only in Hawaiʻi but across the U.S. and globally, improving healing outcomes for millions suffering from chronic wounds,” Haglund said. “By advancing this technology, we aim to reduce healthcare costs and enhance the quality of life for patients worldwide.”

Nathan Friedman from W. L. Gore & Associates serves as the industry mentor, with over twenty years of leadership and product development experience within the medical device sector.

The NSF I-Corps program is an entrepreneurship training initiative designed to help researchers commercialize their scientific innovations. Through the program, Haglund and Vo will receive mentorship, hands-on training, and $50,000 in funding for customer discovery and market validation. The program will assist them in identifying key industry needs, refining their business strategy, and navigating the transition from research to commercialization.

The Department of Chemistry is housed in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

• Related 东精影业 News story: $1M award transforms world-class research into public-impact solutions, September 13, 2022

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has launched the search for a director to lead the newly established , a major initiative to improve healthcare and health outcomes in Hawaiʻi, inspired by 东精影业‘s pivotal role in the state驶s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of the institute is to leverage the university’s extensive expertise and resources in health sciences and medicine to expand the healthcare workforce, reduce health disparities, address climate change impacts on health and respond to emerging health threats.

“We are seeking a dynamic leader to guide the new institute,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities in Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific region. The director will play a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing health disparities.”

The director will be responsible for coordinating efforts across the 东精影业 units that include programs related to health sciences and medicine:

Related: Collaboration across health sciences goal of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 initiative

• College of Natural Sciences
• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Social Sciences
• Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
• John A. Burns School of Medicine
• School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
• School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology
• Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
• 东精影业 Cancer Center

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than 50 health sciences-related degrees and certificates across nine colleges and schools, as well as the state’s largest social work, nursing and public health programs. In fiscal year 2022 alone, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 secured more than $130 million in external grants and contracts related to health sciences.

Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, is chairing the search advisory committee, whose members consist of steering committee members who led the development of the Health Sciences Institute. The committee will recommend finalists to Bruno, who will determine the best candidate for the position.

For the job announcement and position description, visit the . Review of applications will begin in late July and will continue until the position is filled.

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner delivered commencement addresses at Asahi University and Meikai University in Japan in March to about 1,700 graduates. Lassner praised the students for their academic achievements and highlighted the impactful ties between 东精影业 and the two Japanese institutions over the years.

“I hope you feel great pride in all that you have accomplished, and are excited about new possibilities that are open to you as you enter into the next stage of your life,” said Lassner in his speeches. “I have every confidence looking at you today that the superb education you experienced here has prepared you with the knowledge, skills, and passion to grow as lifelong learners.”

In September 2023, Asahi and Meikai Universities contributed $20,000 toward 东精影业 relief efforts to help students and employees impacted by the Maui wildfires.

Long-term partnerships

Since 2009, 140 students from Meikai’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management have enriched their education through 东精影业 summer programs fostering camaraderie and cross-cultural understanding. 东精影业 students in return have gone on short-term and semester-long exchange programs, which have provided them with valuable experiences in Japanese industry and culture.

The partnership with Asahi University has flourished since 2018, when students from the School of Health Science were hosted at the 东精影业 Mānoa College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. This collaboration has resulted in successful outcomes for students and faculty, with ongoing research focusing on enhancing the safety and fitness of senior citizens through new technologies.

“As our long-term relationship continues, the University of Hawaiʻi will be taking further steps toward building and sustaining our partnership,” said Lassner.

Strengthening ties

During his commencement address, Lassner shared a new initiative to explore the development of a “micro-campus” at Meikai University that will enable respective students to earn credits and degrees while studying at their home campuses.

“This has been successful at other universities, and I have every expectation that with our strong partnership, Meikai and 东精影业 can make this work for our students as well,” Lassner said.

To further the exchange support between the institutions, later this year, students from Asahi and Meikai will participate in various short-term programs at 东精影业, including disciplines such as health sciences, business administration, hospitality and tourism management, English and real estate sciences.

More than 70 students across various health programs at gained valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of providing patient-centered age-appropriate care through a symposium in January.

Community Health Education Program Director Hilary Hacker said, “This symposium, created from a shared commitment to excellence in healthcare training, aims to transcend traditional silos.”

The collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program drew students from practical nursing, community health worker, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy assistant, respiratory care practitioner and medical assisting.

It is helpful to see the aspects of patient care through the lens of other health professionals
—Elizabeth Kalahiki, respiratory care student

“I genuinely enjoyed interacting with all the health science students,” said Jesse Temple, a student in the physical therapist assistant program. “Not only was I able to understand how to establish a better patient plan of care, but my knowledge was enhanced on each representative鈥檚 role within the health care team. I can鈥檛 wait to work alongside each and every one of them!”

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Professor and Geriatric Medicine Chair Kamal Masaki prefaced the symposium with insights on “Developing an Age-Friendly Health System,” after which student groups were introduced to a geriatrics case to identify issues and develop preliminary management plans. Actors representing a patient and his daughter shared what mattered most to them, and the teams reconvened to adjust their plans with those considerations.

“It was beneficial to witness and understand how important every field is when working together for the ultimate care and needs of the patient,” said practical nursing student Skye Kalehuawehe. “I know that this experience will help me advance as a future nurse and that I can use these skills learned today to my advantage to give the best possible care to those in need.”

Student teams presented their care plans, followed by a panel discussion where faculty and professionals from diverse healthcare fields shared their clinical experiences and discussed lessons learned.
“This was a great opportunity to collaborate with other health fields to formulate a plan from varying perspectives with the patient鈥檚 wishes in mind,” said Elizabeth Kalahiki, a respiratory care student. “It is helpful to see the aspects of patient care through the lens of other health professionals. As a future respiratory care practitioner, I had a chance to see how patient care continues after discharge, as most of our involvement has been in an acute setting.”

To capitalize on the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 wide range of expertise in the health sciences and medicine, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 has launched a new to better serve the people of Hawaiʻi.

The initiative seeks to have a more strategic structure in amplifying the successful work conducted by faculty researchers across the campus and forming stronger collaborations between all of the campuses of the 东精影业 System, as well as with government agencies and health systems statewide.

What more could we accomplish with stronger coordination across campus and increased integration and collaboration with our health systems and government?
—Michael Bruno, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost

“We have been discussing better ways to coordinate and collaborate across the health sciences at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 for many years, if not decades, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic only reinforced the importance of this work,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno, whose office launched the initiative in 2022. “While the pandemic has forced us to collaborate in ways that forwarded our goals, I strongly believe more can be done.”

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than 50 health science-related degrees and certificate programs, and boasts world-class research that has brought in $130 million in external research funding in the last year. Its clinical learning and care occur in partnership with Oʻahu hospitals, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, private practices, non-profit healthcare organizations and a number of state departments. In addition, the dedication and pivotal work of 东精影业 faculty, staff and students who aided the state with its COVID-19 emergency response in the areas of education, research, clinical care delivery and guidance has made it evident that the university is a go-to authority when faced with a health threat or opportunity.

“While the impact of our programs demonstrates the critical importance of our work, it also gives rise to a fundamental question: What more could we accomplish with stronger coordination across campus and increased integration and collaboration with our health systems and government? As we emerge from the pandemic, our success in this area is a strategic imperative for the university and the state,” said Bruno.

Health Sciences Steering Committee

A Health Sciences Steering Committee composed of 11 members includes leaders from 东精影业 health and science units, the , and . The steering committee has met monthly since August 2022 and is charged with carrying forth the goals established for a Health Sciences Institute at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

These goals include:

• Establish an efficient operational structure to align and coordinate our efforts, to provide administrative support for operations, and to serve as the one-stop “portal” for information exchange and the unified voice for 东精影业 health sciences, medical education and research and public health education.
• Strengthen and expand the healthcare workforce in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through broad partnerships and efficient pathways to health sciences careers and expanded opportunities for clinical and practical training to train a workforce capable of transdisciplinary work.
• Collaborate with state and regional government, health systems and industry partners to reduce health disparities and inequities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, especially in building innovative partnerships and training to address social determinants of health.
• Redefine the health sciences to recognize and collaboratively address the impacts of climate change and community health needs, and apply advances to patient care and health policy in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
• Lead in the convening of researchers, industry professionals and government leaders to assess, collaborate and respond to emerging and ongoing health threats in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Steering committee members:

• Walter Bowen, associate dean,
• Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, interim dean,
• Kenneth Fink, director, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
• Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO, Queen鈥檚 Health Systems
• Judy Lemus, interim associate dean,
• Miriam Mobley-Smith, interim dean, , 东精影业 Hilo
• Tetine Sentell, interim dean,
• Alison Sherwood, interim associate dean,
• Naoto Ueno, director,
• Raymond Vara, president and CEO, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
• Lorrie Wong, interim associate dean,

Lightning talks highlight collaborative efforts

A recent May 4 event, Collaborations Across The Health Sciences, held at the UH Cancer Center highlighted the richness and importance of the work done at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and the far-reaching impact these programs have to benefit people across the state and in the Pacific region. Five-minute “lightning talks” from 22 projects were presented, including both internal collaborations among 东精影业 units, and external collaborations with state, community and health system partners. These projects focused on community health needs, clinical training partnerships, reducing health disparities, emerging and ongoing health threats to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, innovative government/industry/education partnerships and more.

The convening, the first of likely more to come, was attended by health sciences unit leads, researchers and external health partners.

“The lightning talks were meant to inform and inspire the work that lies ahead, as we strengthen our relationships with each other and leverage our passion and our expertise for a healthier and more resilient Hawaiʻi,” said Bruno. “A total of 56 proposals were submitted for the event, and we narrowed it down to 22, which is only a sampling of the impressive research being conducted at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. Hearing about the exciting cross-collaborations already taking place across campus and with our state and health partners on these projects tells me we can be even more impactful in the work we do.”

“The broad scope of the presented talks, and the remainder of the abstracts, allowed all participants to open their minds to possibilities for new collaborations,” said Buenconsejo-Lum. “There are many programs and projects working in similar topic areas and in various communities. The task is to synergize, leverage and appropriately resource those efforts so they can be scaled up and expanded throughout the state.”

The program, which includes all 56 submitted proposals, is .

Feedback from external committee members

“From my perspective with the health system, when we look to improve health and well-being, it always takes a team. We are already deeply coordinated and this was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic when we pivoted to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 for guidance and were successful when we were able to bring the right players together. As a health system, we are all in, and we’re going to do all we can to support this initiative to address the health inequities in the state and support the next generation.”

—Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO of the Queen驶s Health Systems

“This effort couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time. As we emerge from the pandemic, we have to view the world differently going forward than we did in the past. We partner with 15 clinical programs across the 东精影业 system, and about 1,100 students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, emergency response, and even non-clinical areas, per year filter through our facilities, and that’s a lot of interaction and collaboration. However, further unification of the health sciences and a consolidated strategy could be much more efficient that our one-off siloed areas. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity and we have to be willing to use different tools to navigate us down this new path to build a healthier community.”

—Raymond Vara, president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Pacific Health

“The Department of Health is pleased to have multiple partners throughout the 东精影业 system to support our efforts to promote and protect the physical, behavioral and environmental health for the people of Hawaiʻi. Having renowned expertise in our own backyard at 东精影业 helps us find local solutions to local problems and grow a much needed public health workforce.”

—Kenneth Fink, director, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

Looking ahead

To ensure the success of this new endeavor, the Provost recommends the establishment of an amplifying structure to facilitate and coordinate the work for the Health Sciences Initiative. The proposed office—with key positions including an executive director, program specialists, research coordinators and others—will serve as a single point of contact for both internal and external partners. Funding support may come from existing resources, but will also require sustained state investment.

For more information, go to the website and view presentations from units offering snapshots of their academic programs, research and extension highlights and existing collaborations in the health sciences.

The University of Hawaiʻi is requesting proposals from qualified developers to redevelop 2.49 acres of 东精影业-owned land next to . The goal of the project is to provide students with experiential learning opportunities through the development of an alternative revenue stream for 东精影业 other than through tuition and state funding.

The proposed project objectives includes a use that partners or collaborates with one or more 东精影业 programs listed in the “”:

The project must also fit in the context of the surrounding community, and the developer must have an on-property physical presence and manage the project after it is built.

The deadline for submissions is December 7, 2022, and the selection is scheduled to be announced January 31, 2023. The selected developer will be required to enter into a development agreement and long-term ground lease with 东精影业. Ownership would revert back to 东精影业 when the ground lease expires. The agreement and lease must receive final approval from the 东精影业 Board of Regents before the project can begin.

The property is located at 550 Makapuʻu Avenue across from Kapiʻolani CC and L膿ʻahi Hospital, on the same block as the recently redeveloped Diamond Head Theatre. There are no structures on the property, and a portion of it is currently being used as a temporary parking lot by the hospital.

A new is opening up opportunities in a diverse and challenging field, where students can be part of advancing new discoveries and improving human life through science at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. The inaugural cohort of students will begin classes this fall. Applications are due by July 15.

Part of the John A. Burns School of Medicine鈥檚 (JABSOM) , the 15-credit program provides structured and intensive experience and educational opportunity for those seeking to develop skills and knowledge in the area of clinical research and research support.

The program is flexible, offering the chance to complete it as quickly as two semesters as full-time students, or to work at their own pace part-time. Students will gain knowledge of clinical research and trial design, protocol development, ethical conduct and statistical data analysis.

The program is ideal for medical school applicants, medical trainees, physicians, nurses and health professionals interested in developing their skills for collaborative research.

High-demand career opportunities

Eunjung Lim, assistant professor and graduate program chair, said that clinical research management has become one of the most demanding fields.

“The field of clinical research management exceeds the supply of clinical research professionals with current listings displaying 20,000 new job openings in the clinical research field nationwide,” said Lim. “Our certificate program will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they鈥檒l need to succeed with a combination of coursework and mentored clinical research projects.”

Potential careers include physician researcher, clinical research coordinator, clinical trials manager, regulatory associate and clinical trial monitor. In addition, the certificate program provides students with the opportunity to transition to a higher-level master鈥檚 degree program if interested.

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This program is an example of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

More than two-dozen University of Hawaiʻi health care students from the , and campuses earned top honors in various competitive categories at the 16th Annual Hawaiʻi (HOSA)鈥揊uture Health Professionals Virtual State Leadership Conference. The international organization specializes in empowering students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration and experience.

东精影业 Hilo

• Sophia Shea, first place, epidemiology
• Alannah Shinde, first place, health informatics
• Zyrill Dayne Dela Cruz, first place, medical math
• Kit Neikirk, third place, medical math
• Christian Lopez, third place, pharmacology
• Jerrybelle Domingo-Recto, second place, nursing assisting
• Rhodney Hernando, first place, physical therapy
• Shayne Cabudol, second place, physical therapy
• Jaclyn Tennett, first place, clinical specialty
• Jennifer Nakano, first place, Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking
• Travis Taylor, third place, Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补

• Shaira Mae Padron, first place, behavioral health
• Jolene Mae Pascua, second place, behavioral health
• Brycen Kawamoto, first place, CPR/first aid
• Rei Koinuma, first place, CPR/first aid
• Katrina Mae Tolentino, first place, medical law and ethics
• Chelsea Nguyen, second place, medical math
• Huanli Hu, first place, pathophysiology
• Mai-Phi Tran-Dang, first place, pharmacology
• Josephine Kaohi, first place, prepared speaking
• Jasci-Ann Fikany, second place, Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking

Kapiʻolani Community College

• Ma Ritzelle Acosta, first place, nursing assisting
• Kassie Nicole Ramos, second place, CPR/first aid
• Fatimah Grace Saludares, second place, CPR/first aid
• Samantha Patanapaiboon, first place, medical assisting
• Imee Subia, second place, medical assisting
• Sarah Alchalabi, third place, medical assisting
• Charity Dabalos, first place, medical spelling
• Cassie Millar, first place, medical terminology
• Maenelle Chloe Marquez, second place, medical terminology

HOSA鈥檚 virtual conference hosted more than 870 participants from Hawaiʻi ranging from students in middle school, high school and college levels.

The 东精影业 HOSA teams from each of the three campuses will compete at the 2021 HOSA International Leadership Conference, June 23–26, 2021, in Orlando, Florida.

The has unveiled a new slate of academic offerings—including another STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree—to address the state鈥檚 workforce needs, in time for the start of the fall 2020 semester.

With a new degree—the —东精影业 West Oʻahu grows its catalog to that are paired with . The additions align with 东精影业 West Oʻahu鈥檚 mandate to provide distinctive programs available to students living and working in West Oʻahu and also those who access classes through distance learning.

“As we welcome a record number of students to 东精影业 West Oʻahu, we鈥檙e delighted to be able to excite them with our newly expanded academic portfolio,” Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Moniz said. “We add these new areas at the intersection of workforce demand, student interest, and our faculty鈥檚 areas of expertise, following a great deal of thoughtful planning. We鈥檙e elated to offer these valuable new choices to our West Oʻahu communities.”

The campus is also introducing diverse concentrations in (cybersecurity), (natural sciences), (natural sciences) and (humanities). Furthermore, 东精影业 West Oʻahu added certificates in and .

The bachelor of science in cybersecurity provides students with an advanced cybersecurity education in information security, mathematics, computer science and computer engineering. This degree program prepares students to meet the advanced cybersecurity workforce requirements of public sector agencies and private sector enterprises. It supports both four-year students at 东精影业 West Oʻahu and pathway students from aligned associate degree programs from 东精影业 Community Colleges.

The cyber operations concentration builds upon the bachelor of science in cybersecurity foundation in math, science, computer science and cybersecurity with advanced technical cybersecurity topics including defensive and proactive activities, industrial control systems cybersecurity, cyber investigations, cyber detection and response, and communications and wireless technologies. Graduates will be able to holistically address the latest cybersecurity threats by applying the full spectrum of knowledge and advanced technical capabilities acquired.

东精影业 West Oʻahu serves approximately 3,000 students with a range of degree programs that encourage students to explore courses outside of their degree disciplines to provide them with a multidisciplinary base while learning about different cultures. 东精影业 West Oʻahu offers traditional academic programs in addition to specialized programs in emerging fields, demonstrating its commitment to addressing workforce needs and preparing professionals for the area鈥檚 job market.

The University of Hawaiʻi is partnering with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) to create a program to train personnel and community health workers to support DOH in conducting COVID-19 contact tracing. Health experts say extensive contact tracing is a key component to prevent the spread of the virus while relaxing stay-at-home-orders and restarting Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy.

DOH at the peak of the first COVID-19 wave had over 100 contact tracers, including at least 30 volunteers from 东精影业 and other DOH divisions with backgrounds in public health, epidemiology, medicine, and nursing. This one-year, $2.5 million program will leverage 东精影业 faculty expertise and existing courses across the 10-campus system to quickly develop content for the contact tracing training.

“This has been a brainchild of State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park and 东精影业驶s own Dr. Aimee Grace, who leads our 东精影业ealthy Hawaiʻi Initiative at the 东精影业 System,鈥� said 东精影业 President Lassner. “We believe that these programs to expand the number of contract tracers and community health workers will really help protect all of Hawaiʻi驶s communities.”

The plan is to then train approximately 300 contact tracers in two to three days, or two to three months, depending on their educational backgrounds, as well as increase the university鈥檚 capacity to prepare 100 community health workers each year. DOH can then activate the trained individuals as needed, including as emergency hires, in the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

“With 300 staff to extend the capacity for monitoring and investigation, we expect to build the capacity up to at least a 1,000 cases a day,” said DOH Director Bruce Anderson at a May 13 news conference with Gov. David Ige. “Hopefully, we will not be approaching anything close to that but we are planning for the worse and building up our capacity, accordingly.”

The university will offer two tracks for contact tracing training: a course for clinical professionals (approximately two to three days to complete for those with at least an undergraduate degree and a clinical health background) and an intensive contact tracing program (approximately two to three months for those with undergraduate degrees, health sciences preferred). All training content and materials will be approved by the DOH.

Support will be provided to trainees that complete the appropriate program and join the DOH鈥檚 volunteer Medical Reserve Corps.

The 东精影业 Community Colleges will add capacity in the community health worker programs and update curricula so that community health worker graduates will be prepared to support COVID-19 contact tracing as needed.

Community health workers are a critical component to contract tracing with their special community-based training and ties to work effectively with identified high-risk populations. Those populations include Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities, which are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, along with the unemployed and homeless.

The course for clinical professionals will be led by Kristine Qureshi, associate dean for research and global health and emergency preparedness expert at the 东精影业 Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. The intensive contact tracing program will be led by Ricardo Custodio, associate professor of health science at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. The Community Health Worker training will be led by Sally Pestana, Health Education Non-Credit Program director at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Anyone interested in the contact tracing or community health worker training can contact oshi@hawaii.edu.