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YOUR GIFT, YOUR IMPACT
Every gift makes an impact and this year Hawai‘i Pacific Health employees truly embraced the spirit
of philanthropy. Here are some of the patient stories that inspired employees to give this year.
Pali Momi Medical Center
Trauma and Emergency Care Fund
Phamacist Ron Ishikawa felt a burning pain in his chest while driving
to work at Pali Momi Medical Center. Upon his arrival, his co-workers
in the Emergency Department quickly determined his arteries
were completely blocked. Blood flow wasn’t getting to his brain.
He was having a heart attack. Ron was rushed to the Pali Momi
Catheterization Lab, where they cleared the blockage. “I have to
thank Pali Momi for that vision of bringing this kind of service to this
side of the island,” Ron said. “I didn’t understand how valuable the
cath lab was. If Pali Momi wasn’t here, I probably wouldn’t be either.”
Wilcox Medical Center
Emergency Department and Trauma Services
Jay and Jeanette Gonzalez, both nurses, have worked at Wilcox since 2000.
While exercising one day, Jay felt pressure and pain in his chest. Tests at
Wilcox’s Emergency Department revealed that Jay was having a heart attack.
The Wilcox emergency team contacted Straub’s cardiology team on O‘ahu
and arranged for Jay to undergo a procedure at Straub’s cath lab. Today, he’s
back to enjoying life with his three young children and receiving follow-up
care at Wilcox. “Words are not enough,” Jeanette said. “That’s why we are so
proud and grateful to work with the team at Wilcox.”
Kapi‘olani Medical
Center for
Women & Children
New Pediatric
Heart Center
4
INSPIRE
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Straub
Medical Center
K kua Fund
Mike was houseless
when complications from
diabetes sent him to
Straub. His relationship
with the medical center
soon affected all aspects
of his life. The K kua Fund,
an emergency assistance
fund for patients, paid for
reading glasses, clothing
and much more. “I would
give anything to avoid going
back on the streets,” Mike
said. “I tell this to all of my
friends, ‘My worst day today
is better than my best day
out there.’ Just by staying
around positive people from
Straub Social Services, it
gives me a positive feeling
about myself.”
Kayley Coloma gave birth unexpectedly after doctors determined her baby’s
heart was beating too fast. She had to deliver early. Her daughter, Leila
Rose, was admitted to Kapi‘olani’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she
was diagnosed with two congenital heart defects. At 5 months old, Leila
Rose flew to the mainland for open-heart surgery. To this day, the 2-year-old
receives ongoing heart care at Kapi‘olani. “Having a cardiac cath lab at
Kapi‘olani would totally change the game for Hawai‘i,” Kayley said. “I think
it’s so important that we have all the means to treat the kids here.”