HONOLULU (KHON2) -- An exciting event is coming up for a special program that helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds become doctors.
On Monday, June 10, students from the ʻImi Hoʻōla Program at The John A. Burns School of Medicine will graduate.
"ʻImi Hoʻōla is a tough program that only accepts 12 students each year," said Matthew Campbell, the Director of Communications at JABSOM. "It gives students a preview of what medical school will be like, with long days and nights of studying. Graduating from this program is a big achievement because only a few make it through."
This year, nine out of the 12 students are graduating! Those who finish the program get to go straight into JABSOM for medical school.
For the past 51 years, ʻImi Hoʻōla has had many success stories. Graduates have become leaders in psychiatry, researched cancer in the Pacific Islands, and served their communities. Many believe these accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities from ʻImi Hoʻōla.
If you're interested in hearing some of these inspiring stories, you can meet some of the new ʻImi graduates as they celebrate.
One student, Aljay Carnate, has a particularly inspiring story. He applied to ʻImi Hoʻōla several times before finally getting in this year. Aljay can share how he overcame many challenges, including those related to being a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
ʻImi Hoʻōla also gives students important experience in rural health care. This is especially important as the state deals with a shortage of doctors.
For 2024, the students went to Kauaʻi to learn about health care in rural areas. They met providers and saw what health care looks like outside the big cities. This experience will help them as they continue their medical education at JABSOM.
The graduation ceremony will be held on Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at JABSOM's Medical Education Building.