West Hawaii Community Health Center
75-5751 Kuakini Highway, Suite 203
Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740
Weaving a Lauhala of Wellness
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Kailua-Kona, HI
Winter 2012
Open to Serve You 6 Days a Week
West Hawaii Community Health Center—Kailua-Kona
75-5751 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 104
808-326-5629
Mon-Th 8:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m., Fr-Sa 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
West Hawaii Community Health Center—Waikoloa Opens!
West Hawaii Community Health Center—Kealakekua
Selwyn Plaza, 81-6627 Mamalahoa Hwy
808-323-8005
Keiki Medical, Mon-Fr 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Adult Medical, Tu-Fr 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Keiki Dental, Mon-Fr 7:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
n February 23, 2013, Kahu Earl Regidor gave a Hawaiian pule and blessing to the new office of West Hawaii
Community Health Center – Waikoloa, on the second floor of the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center. A small
entourage of dignitaries and guests accompanied Kahu Regidor through the new office, which is shared with Dr. William Lawrence, Waikoloa’s longtime community physician.
West Hawaii Community Health Center—Waikoloa
Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center
68-1845 Waikoloa Road, Ste. 207
808-769-5160
Mon-Fr 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
West Hawaii Community Health Center Dental Van
74-5593 Pawai Place, Kailua-Kona, stationed at Hope Services
808-329-0465
Mon—Tu 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. —Adult emergency services only
O
The long-awaited West Hawaii Community Health Center – Waikoloa finally opened its doors after receiving the
proper certifications to begin offering medical services at this
new location. Quality and affordable health care is now available
to the 9,420 men, women, and children living in Waikoloa Villages and the Waikoloa Resort areas.
Home Spun Team Wins the Gold at Calgary
In the summer of 2012, West Hawaii Community Health Center’s women’s health physician,
Dr. Ilona Higgins, participated in the World Cup Championship Paddling Competition. The
team, Keauhou Canoe Club 60’s Women, consists of six members who have been undefeated
state champions in their division for the last year and a half. Having already won 200 gold
medals from state events, the team qualified for the World Cup in Calgary, Canada, from
August 11-13, 2012. This championship represents the finest paddlers from all over the
world.
Paddling provides a unique opportunity for a very tight bond to develop amongst six athletes. They must refine their skills to work as a unit and glide as such in the canoe. “We
must seek the ‘sweet spot,” says Higgins, “where our bodies are as one. If you don't have
that, you won’t get to compete on a national level.” And find that sweet spot—they did!
Dr. Ilona Higgins
Keauhou Canoe Club 60’s Women brought home one silver and two gold medals from the
World Cup. But for Higgins, and the other members of the team, paddling is much more than just winning medals, it is a
multifaceted exercise.
Higgins describes paddling as a cultural, personal, and bonding experience. Entering the sport at age 58, she views the
activity as an honor and is proud be able to participate in such an intense physical endeavor. Higgins remembers a time
when women were unable to contend for such a title, and recalls the first legislative step that encouraged women to compete on an athletic level. “Being a child of the 60’s, college sports were considered recreational and performance by
women was not encouraged,” says Higgins. Now, 65, Higgins has set a different example for today’s young women.
“Striving for personal excellence is a privilege we are all able to continue throughout our lives,” she says. “It is a fulfill-
westhawaichc.org
Kahu Regidor offers blessing at entrance
Dr. Rob Edmonds, a family physician in British Columbia, Canada for the past ten years, arrived in December 2012 with his wife
and two sons. He received his MD from the University of British
Columbia, where he also completed his residency. He enjoys
snorkeling, running and hiking; and is conversational in Spanish.
Dr. Edmonds is the primary care physician in Waikoloa and is
taking new patients. Existing patients who wish to relocate from
our other sites in
Kailua-Kona and
Kealakekua are
also welcome.
It is anticipated that Dr. Edmonds will serve 1,500 – 2,000 patients
and record approximately 4,000 office visits annually. When the Waikoloa schedule deems another provider is necessary, West Hawaii
Community Health Center is prepared to add a second provider and
additional staff to this location.
As for the future of medical services in Waikoloa, the Waikoloa Village
Association has set aside five acres of land for a permanent community
health center facility, mauka of the shopping center, near the stables. At
present, a Grant-in-Aid (GIA) request has been submitted to the legislature for $3.5 million to begin the design and planning stages of the new
facility.
The new West Hawaii Community Health Center – Waikoloa is open for
patients Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 68-1845
Waikoloa Road, Suite 207. Dr. Edmonds will provide primary health care
services to adults and children. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 769-5160.
Top: Richard Taaffe, Dr. Edmonds, Senator Malama
Solomon, Pete Hoffmann pose for photograph
Bottom: Kahu Regidor gives blessing
westhawaiichc.org
Board of Directors
Terri Toki
President
Nellie Medeiros
Vice President
Yvonne Gilbert
Secretary
Vernon Bieraugel
Treasurer
Members
Joan Gannon
Shirley Gouveia
Peter Hoffmann
Paola Pagan
Mike Matsukawa
Peggy Ratliff
Executive Director
Richard Taaffe
Medical Director
Dr. Gary Webb
Aloha Friends,
West Hawaii Community Health Center has come a long way since its beginning in 2005,
serving 905 patients and documenting 2,590 patient visits that first year. Today, thanks to
the leadership of Executive Director, Richard Taaffe, and a dedicated staff of over 100 employees, the organization has 11,000 patients and recorded over 41,000 patient visits in
2012. While the health care needs have markedly increased over the past seven years,
West Hawaii Community Health Center has been able to grow its staff and facilities to provide integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services to the residents and guests of
the west side of Hawaii Island.
2012 was a year of expansion; as of mid-year Adult Health services were added to the Kealakekua site, augmenting the already existing Keiki Health & Keiki Dental programs. Full
health care services had arrived in South Kona and our patients were thrilled! Then in the
fall of 2012, preparations were well-underway to open a primary care practice in Waikoloa,
35 miles north of Kailua-Kona. The proper certifications arrived just before the holidays,
and West Hawaii Community Health Center – Waikoloa was finally able to schedule a
blessing ceremony! Great holiday joy! The new site opened on February 25, 2013.
It has been extraordinary to see the unfolding of West Hawaii Community Health Center as
the demand for services increased dramatically and the Health Center was able to “step up”
its services to meet that need. On behalf of the West Hawaii Community Health Center
Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt Mahalo to the leadership and staff of West Hawaii Community Health Center.
Clinical Director
Jeremy Vargas
Sincerely,
Terri Toki, Board President
Success at Hawaii Community
Federal Credit Union Market Days
Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union raised $21,138 for
West Hawaii Community Health Center through their
“Ribbon Sales” and “Market Days” events at all five of their
branches. In October and November 2012, HCFCU hosted
“Ribbon Sales” to support the health center, where patrons
could purchase a ribbon with their name on it and give a donation to WHCHC. As well, on October 18-19, the branches
held “Market Days,” which featured the sale of fresh produce
and flowers, baked goods, homemade breads, and other goodies. During the event, staff from WHCHC offered free blood
pressure and glucose testing for visitors of HCFCU at the
Kailua-Kona, Kaloko, and Kealakekua branches. WHCHC
was selected by HCFCU for its social responsibility program,
which will continue to raise
funds over the next two years
to better assist those in need of
health care. All proceeds made
during this campaign went to
the Health Center. Funding
will be used to support a prescription assistance program
for low-income patients. West
Hawaii Community Health
Center would like to thank HaBrenda, RN, offered free blood
waii Community Federal Credit
pressure testing at the HCFCU
Kailua-Kona branch
Union for hosting these events.
Scores of Volunteers Gathered for Blitz Build at La`i`Ōpua
West Hawaii Community Health Center participated in the Habitat for Humanity West
Hawaii’s 2012 Blitz Build Kona between September 12 through September 22, 2012.
The home sites, located in the Villages at La`i`Ōpua in North Kona, were filled with
hundreds of volunteers from Kailua-Kona and beyond, including the U.S. mainland,
Canada, and around the world. The five homes, built on Hawaiian Homelands, were
constructed in an effort to create more affordable housing in Kona. The five Hawaiian
families awarded the new homes were given a 99 year lease at $1/year. Until this time,
all of Habitat for Humanity’s home constructions
have been outside of Kona due to high land costs.
Joan and Tammy operating the first aid tent
During the five day Blitz Build, staff from West
Hawaii Community Health Center manned the medical and first aid tent, treating those
who became injured during the build. Nurses and medical staff spent the day, offering
their services, including band aids, gauze, icepacks, and a shaded resting place for those
who became overheated. Each day, there were over 300 volunteers working to build
new homes for these families over the ten day period. West Hawaii Community Health
Center is proud to have been able to offer its services for this remarkable event.
Aloha Board Members
Shirley Gouveia
∙ Served as Board Treasurer
∙ Was part of the initial WHCHC planning committee and
joined the WHCHC board in 2003
Elizabeth Schick
∙ Served as Board President for 7 years
∙ Joined the Board in 2006
Kevin Kunz, M.D.
∙ Served on the Board for one year
Mahalo, Shirley, Kevin, and Elizabeth for your service to our
`ohana in West Hawaii.
West Hawaii Community Health Center is
pleased to be one of the sponsors in the 2013
Earth & Ocean Family Health Fun
FAIR to be held on Saturday, April 20th
from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at the Kealakehe High School gymnasium and
grounds. The Fair will feature Earth and
Ocean booths (outdoors) and health-related
(fitness screening, blood sugar testing, blood
pressure checks) and social service booths
(indoors), as well as entertainment, food, and
traditional Hawaiian practices focusing on
sustainability and conservation of the land
and sea.
Featured guest speaker, Al Harrington, Educator, Healer, and Entertainer, will share his
message of “Get Fit” to our keiki and `ohana.
He is sponsored by AlohaCare, a non-profit
health plan founded in 1994 by Hawaii’s
community health centers.
The Kealakehe Family Fun Fair has been an
ongoing event for the past thirteen years on
its high school campus, providing fun and
education to families in the Kealakehe district. The Kailua Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Earth & Ocean Festival had been a
successful seven year event for the West Hawaii community, but was recently displaced
by the closure of the Keahou Beach Resort.
The 2013 Earth & Ocean Family Health
Fun FAIR, combines the forces of the Kealakehe Family Fun Fair, the Chamber of
Commerce’s Earth & Ocean Festival and
West Hawaii Community Health Center, to
bring the West Hawaii community an exciting and well rounded event, offering something for everyone of all ages. E Komo Mai!
Earth & Ocean, Family, Health Fun
FAIR! Celebrate the beginning of spring
and join us on April 20th for the family event
of the year!
Volunteers working together to build homes
westhawaiichc.org
westhawaiichc.org
Winter 2012
Welcome! Director of Clinical Operations
West Hawaii Community Health Center welcomes Jeremy Vargas (pictured left), the new Director of Clinical Operations at
all WHCHC locations. Jeremy joins us from Seattle, Washington and moved to Kailua-Kona with his wife and two year old
son. He is responsible for oversight of day to day operations at all WHCHC locations. Previously, Jeremy worked as Clinic
Manager at the Sea Mar Community Health Center in Seattle, which primarily assisted the uninsured and underserved
population in the area.
Jeremy holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of
Washington. While in school, Jeremy found his passion for serving the community and
working with vulnerable and underprivileged members of society.
Now living in the heart of Kona, Jeremy is beginning to explore the island and tries to visit
a different beach every weekend with his family. His other interests include painting, exercising, and healthy eating. “I am so inspired by the population of elderly people on the island who are so physically fit,” states Jeremy. “It has really given me a new image of what
it is to get older, and motivates me to be more like the people I see, who are in better shape
than teenagers!” WHCHC would like to welcome Jeremy to the team and is delighted that
he will share his expertise and values with the staff.
Tobacco Cessation Grant Awarded
In December 2012, West Hawaii Community Health Center received a three year grant award for $225,000 from the Hawaii Community Foundation to provide tobacco cessation services to the West Hawaii community. The grant includes
screening all patients at WHCHC for tobacco use and providing integrated intensive tobacco interventions. Based on a
patient’s level of complexity, options for intervention include: integrated medical sessions, individual counseling sessions,
group medical appointments, and Patient Centered Health Care Home visits. Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs)
and stop smoking medicines are available, if appropriate, in coordination with the patient’s primary care physician.
The Tobacco Cessation Program hopes to serve a priority population of individuals
that struggle financially, as well as those who receive Medicaid benefits and are Native
Hawaiian. The smoking cessation program is available to all patients of West Hawaii
Community Health Center, and hopes to help people become ready to quit tobacco
products by utilizing a variety of supportive therapies to help them reach their personal health goals.
Nicotine is highly addictive and many people who use tobacco products have difficulty
quitting. West Hawaii Community Health Center has been addressing tobacco use
since it first opened in 2005. Since 2007, the Hawaii Community Foundation has
funded tobacco cessation activities at West Hawaii Community Health Center to reach
a greater population of tobacco users.
westhawaiichc.org
Winter 2012
A Helping Hand
Maria, mother of four, came to West Hawaii Community Health Center last year to meet with Eligibility Specialist,
Angela (pictured right). During her appointment, Angela realized that Maria’s sliding fee scale term was about to expire and she would need to reapply. When Maria handed Angela her permanent resident card, Angela was surprised
that she had not applied for Medicaid, having been a permanent resident in the United States for the last eight years.
Maria replied that she was told by members of the Hispanic community that she would not qualify for Medicaid because she was not a US born citizen, and if she attempted to apply for health coverage,
she would lose her immigration status and the US would gain control of her children. In
addition, all of Maria’s children, including those born in America, were uninsured as a
result of fear from the rumors she heard. Maria’s husband, John, suffered from a preexisting heart condition, but did not seek medical care because of high costs and the anxiety associated with losing his permanent resident status.
The couple work as coffee farmers during the six month Kona coffee season, and earn
about $67 each day they pick 150 pounds of coffee. Due to the short duration of the season, Maria and her husband must save and ration their income so it will last them and
their four children throughout the year. For most agricultural workers, saving money
and providing food for the family comes before taking care of health, managing diabetes,
or controlling blood pressure, especially if he/she is uninsured.
Angela, Eligibility Specialist
Angela assured Maria that as long as a person has been a permanent resident for five years, has a social security card,
and is truthful in their statements, then there is no reason to worry about these false rumors. The following week,
Maria and her family visited Angela at the clinic to apply for medical insurance coverage. To everyone’s delight, the
family was approved.
Today, Maria’s entire household is insured through the Medicaid program, and they come to WHCHC with happy
faces and lighter hearts. “Listening to patients and empathizing with them helps us change our own perspective of
people and their outlook on health care, and gives real insight to being a person in an unknown country,” says Angela,
who is always greeted with open arms by Maria and her family.
Patient Forms Translated into Spanish and Marshallese
To better serve the people of West Hawaii for who English is their second language, WHCHC patient forms were translated into Spanish and Marshallese. Over thirty forms, brochures, and information sheets were translated for medical,
dental, behavioral health, and Patient Center Health Care Home teams to serve our 308 patients who are best served
in a language other than English and new patients who might need the translated documents.
Additionally, for years West Hawaii Community Health Center has offered on-site Spanish speaking staff to assist in
translating with our Spanish speaking patients, and for our Marshallese community, we have the ability to call into a
language translation service that will assist us in real time to communicate with our Marshallese patients, thus fulfilling our commitment to offer excellent service to those we serve.
westhawaiichc.org