West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation recently honored 303 employees of Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital for their service of between 5 and 37 years.
More than 160 staff attended the recognition luncheon Sept. 28 at Makae‘o Events Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area in Kona, where each honoree received a certificate and commemorative pin.
Longest-serving employee Dawn Inaba — who was born and raised on Hawai‘i Island — is celebrating 37 years of service at Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua.
Inaba began her career with the hospital as a biller and has since had several different roles, including in patient accounting, billing and collections.
“Back when I started,” she reflected in a release about the recognition luncheon and those honored, “my predecessor told me, ‘Thirty years will fly by,’ and now I’ve come full circle. I’m pushing for 40 because I truly love what I do.”
She recalled joining the hospital’s business office and quickly realizing it felt like an extension of her family.
“It didn’t take long before it turned into ‘ohana, and I looked forward to coming to work” Inaba said. “The people here care deeply about what they do and for the community we serve. We help each other, we grow together and that makes all the difference.”
Evelyn Kaneshiro was recognized for 34 years of service at Kohala Hospital in Kapaau.
Also born and raised on Hawai‘i Island, Kaneshiro began as a clerk typist — before 9-1-1 existed — personally fielding emergency calls and coordinating ambulance responses.
Now an accountant, she has seen the hospital transform from paper charts to digital systems, and she takes pride in her involvement in its continued growth.
“Kohala Hospital is special because of the people,” Kaneshiro said in the release. “We’re a family here, and I’m grateful to have spent my career caring for my community.”
West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation longest-serving employee Dawn Inaba is congratulated during a special service recognition luncheon Sept. 28. Inaba has worked for the West Hawai‘i Region, at Kona Community Hospital, for nearly 40 years. (Photo Courtesy: West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation)
Kohala Hospital leadership is pictured with Evelyn Kaneshiro, who has worked for the hospital 34 years, during a special recognition luncheon Sept. 28 to honor the longest-serving employees of the West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation. (Photo Courtesy: West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation)
The West Hawai‘i Region is comprised of Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. The region is dedicated to providing a healing environment to all the people of Hawaiʻi and delivering quality, accessible care that leads to optimal health.
Both hospitals offer 24-hour emergency services and are members of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawai’i to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown health care.
This was the first recognition event in more than a decade and underscored the strong sense of belonging and commitment that defines both facilities.
“Half of our workforce has been with us for at least 5 years, which speaks volumes about the culture we’ve built,” said West Hawai‘i Region Chief Executive Officer Clayton McGhan in the release. “This level of dedication ensures that our patients receive care from experienced, compassionate professionals who are deeply rooted in our community.”
Richard McDowell, MD, FACEP has accepted the position of Medical Director for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) West Hawaii Region which includes Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. He is scheduled to begin his new duties on December 1, 2014.