HONOLULU (KHON2) -- On Monday, June 10, a significant event unfolded at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in Honolulu. Students from the ʻImi Hoʻola Program, which helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds become doctors, graduated.
The tight-knit group of ambitious, focused students marked the culmination of a journey filled with determination, hard work and dreams fulfilled.
The 2024 graduating class was particularly notable as nine out of twelve students successfully completed the rigorous program, setting them on the path to becoming future medical professionals.
Dr. Winona Lee: Shaping the future of medicine
Dr. Winona Lee is the director of the ʻImi Hoʻola Program. She spoke about the transformative impact of the program on its students.
“Over the past 50 years, ʻImi Hoʻola has shaped and defined the face of medicine in terms of diversity and inclusion,” Dr. Lee said.
She explained how the one-year program offers students from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to strengthen their communication skills, leadership and sciences in order to prepare them well for medical school.
Dr. Lee acknowledged the challenges the program faces in maintaining its high standards.
"Like all training programs, ensuring that what we teach is timely and relevant amidst changing healthcare needs is a constant challenge," she said.
However, with the support of community organizations, they have been able to provide financial assistance and emotional support to students which helps them overcome financial stressors and family obligations.
Looking to the future, Dr. Lee expressed hope for the continued expansion of the program.
"We would love to include more students and have our alumni return to teach and mentor," she said.
With 315 alumni having gone on to earn their medical degrees from JABSOM, she looks forward to their continued involvement in supporting the next generation of doctors.
Kiara Naomi Moffitt: A journey of persistence
Kiara Naomi Moffitt, one of the graduates, shared her story with a sense of triumph. Raised in downtown Honolulu and a graduate of the University of Washington, Moffitt found the ʻImi Hoʻola Program to be the perfect fit.
“They target people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and as a Native Hawaiian, they really enriched my knowledge about the culture and helped build my science skills,” she said.
Moffitt recalled the day she was accepted into the program with vivid detail.
"I was in Seattle, and it was 9 p.m. when I got the email. I immediately broke down, called my parents and friends," she said.
The hardest part of the program, she noted, was the sacrifice it required, especially in terms of time.
“You need to be able to say no to a lot of things you would normally say yes to,” she explained.
Despite the challenges, Moffitt emphasized the value of the skills she gained.
"The most impactful knowledge I gained was knowing how to study and pivot if things weren’t working out," she said.
As she looks forward to her medical education at JABSOM, she is excited to serve underserved or under-resourced areas, particularly indigenous populations.
"I always wanted to serve my community, especially as someone who's Native Hawaiian," Moffitt concluded.
Lindney Acosta: Resilience in the face of adversity
Lindney Acosta, another graduate, highlighted the importance of the program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Coming from a low socio-economic background and being Filipina, Acosta faced many obstacles.
"When I found out I got accepted into ʻImi Hoʻola, I was very relieved. It was a long journey; and I was finally happy that this opportunity was a testament that someone like me could make it," she shared.
Acosta spoke about the challenges of keeping up with the program’s demands.
"The most challenging aspect was keeping up with the volume of work. It taught us a lot of time management skills," she said.
Despite the difficulties, Acosta learned the importance of self-care during stressful times.
"Believing in yourself will propel you forward," she added.
Looking ahead, Acosta hopes to serve her Kalihi community and give back to the underserved.
"Even if I go to the mainland for residency, I’m definitely coming back home to help our people," Acosta affirmed.
Kai Hiroyama: Embracing a calling
Kai Hiroyama, the son of two Japanese immigrants, spoke about his journey from Henry J. Kaiser High School to the ʻImi Hoʻola Program. Initially pursuing business at Oregon State, Hiroyama realized his true calling was medicine.
"I knew after getting patient interactions and volunteering at clinics that I wanted to be a doctor, no matter how I got there," he said.
Hiroyama described the relief he felt upon being accepted into the program after not making it into medical school initially.
"I saw the light at the end of the tunnel," Hiroyama said. The most challenging part of the program for him was the sacrifice it demanded. "Not being able to spend time with family or friends and dedicating 24/7 to studying was tough," he admitted.
However, the support from his peers and faculty helped him through.
"The most impactful knowledge I gained was the confidence that if I put in the time and effort, things would work out," he added.
Hiroyama hopes to become a primary care physician and use his Japanese language skills to break down language barriers in the community.
Dr. Bryan Isaac: A legacy of perseverance
Dr. Briyan Isaac, an alum from the 1980 class of ʻImi Hoʻola flew in from Pohnpei to celebrate and support the newest ʻImi graduates. He shared his inspiring journey from Micronesia to becoming a doctor.
"I was born in Micronesia and finished high school in San Diego before returning home to teach," he said.
Dr. Isaac learned about the ʻImi Hoʻola Program through a recruiter while teaching in Pohnpei. "Dr. Chad came through the islands recruiting for ʻImi, and that’s how I got in," he recalled.
Reflecting on his time in the program, Dr. Isaac emphasized the importance of perseverance.
"ʻImi Hoʻola is very tough, but it prepares students to handle medical school," he said.
His advice to the new graduates was simple yet profound: "Be happy. Be glad you made it. If you can swing through ʻImi, medical school will be much easier."
List of the 2024 ʻImi Hoʻola graduates
- Richelle Hannah Alfonso.
- Aljay Carnate, Jr.
- Lindney Acosta.
- Kai Hiroyama.
- Jeannie Ho.
- Christian Llantero.
- Nicholas Loi.
- Kiara Naomi Moffitt
- Leo Wu.\
Each of these students graduate with an automatic acceptance into JABSOM's medical program where they will be trained to Hawaiʻi's future physicians. The group begins the next phase of their journey in July.
The Significance of indigenous healthcare workers
The graduation ceremony underscored the vital role of indigenous healthcare workers in Hawaiʻi and beyond. As Dr. Lee mentioned, the ʻImi Hoʻola Program has been instrumental in increasing diversity and inclusion in medicine.
By providing opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the program ensures that future doctors reflect the communities they serve.
Moffitt, Acosta, Hiroyama and Dr. Isaac all shared a common goal: to serve their communities and make a difference. Their stories highlighted the importance of having healthcare professionals who understand and relate to the cultural and social contexts of their patients.
A future of hope and service
The graduation of the ʻImi Hoʻola Program at JABSOM was a testament to the power of resilience, community support and the drive to serve.
As these nine graduates move forward in their medical careers, they carry with them the lessons learned and the support of a program dedicated to their success.
Dr. Lee’s words resonated with all in attendance:
"Our hope is that we continue to expand, include more students, and have our alumni return for service and mentorship."
Dr. Lee
The future of Hawaiʻi’s healthcare looks promising with these dedicated individuals ready to lead the way, embodying the spirit of ʻImi Hoʻola and the commitment to serve their communities with compassion and excellence.
Congratulations, graduates! "Once an ʻImi, always an ʻImi!" We are all very excited about your future and what you will bring to our communities.