MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Community (KCH) and Kohala Hospitals recently welcomed three new members to the West Hawaii Region Board of Directors.

New BOD members are Adrienne R. Klein, Michael H. Schlueter and Danielle Kuulei Potter Stovaw, MD.

“We are happy to welcome three new board members,” said Bill Cliff, Board Chair. “Each brings invaluable experiences and expertise to the West Hawaii Region as we continue our commitment to fulfilling our mission to provide quality health care for all West Hawaii residents.”

Adrienne Klein is a retired solo practice attorney specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury. She recently relocated to Hawaii Island following a 30-­year career in medical malpractice litigation. As a long­-time member of the New York State Bar, Klein served as Attorney Emeritus, volunteering to provide pro bono legal service to New Yorkers who could not afford an attorney. She has a strong interest in community service as well as medical issues.

Michael Schlueter is the Co­Supervising Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Hawaii. Schleuter moved to Kona in 2005, and to begin a private law firm prior to beginning his work with the Office of the Prosecuting attorney. He is the Second Vice President of the West Hawaii Bar Association. Schleuter has been involved in the development of community based programs such as the Big Island Drug Court and the Big Island Veterans Treatment Court.

Danielle Kuulei Potter Stovaw, MD has been a full-­time obstetrician/gynecologist at Alii Health Center since August, 2013. She completed the Phoenix Integrated Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (PIROG) in Phoenix, Arizona, where she won the Award for Excellence in Female Pelvic Medicine/Reconstructive Surgery in 2012. Potter attended medical school at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. She completed her graduate and undergraduate education at the University of Northern Colorado.

Potter was born and raised on Hawaii Island, and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools. She is committed to having an active role in improving the health care system for the residents of West and South Hawaii.

The newly appointed board members join sitting members Bill Cliff, Chair, Renee Inaba, Vice­ Chair, Reginald T. Morimoto, Secretary/Treasurer, Joel Gimpel, Reed Flickinger, Dr. Gary Goldberg, Frank Sayre, DDS and Steven Sparks to round out the 2015 2016 West Hawaii Region Board of Directors.

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OB unit enhances infant security

Kona Community Hospital has announced its Obstetrics Unit is now a secured unit. The entire Women’s Health Unit, which includes the maternity unit and nursery, will be locked at all times.

“We’re proud to be following guidelines outlined by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the prevention of infant abductions,” said Sally Robertson, Obstetrics Nurse Manager. She noted that, “24/7 secured units are an industry standard for maternity units and nurseries.”

Kona Community Hospital is in the process of upgrading security features hospital-wide. The Obstetrics unit was the logical starting point for the safety and security of patients. In addition to other security features already in place, the new electronic system greatly enhances infant security.

Authorized staff members will use ID badges for tap-in and tap-out electronic card readers. All others, including visitors and unauthorized staff will ask-in and ask-out using a newly installed video intercom.

The hospital-wide security upgrade was launched following a security needs assessment conducted by a security consultant. The entire project is being funded by state capital improvement funds.

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Hospital Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Benefits Cancer Center

The Kona Hospital Foundation raised more than $150,000 at its annual fundraiser for the benefit of the Kona Community Hospital Cancer Center.

The funds raised are dedicated to the renovation and recentralization of the medical oncology cancer clinic and infusion center.

The 13th annual “Life, Health and Giving” gala benefit was emceed by Rich Mears, Kona Community Hospital nurse manager. The gala also featured music by the Big Island’s own, Bill Noble Quartet and an excellent Four Seasons buffet dinner.

The event featured a wide array of live and silent auction items. This year’s auction items included a number of artistic creations donated by hospital employees or their family members.

“I am once again humbled by the generosity of these contributors and the caliber of items they donate to our auction,” said Kona Hospital Foundation Chairman Jim Higgins. “We are so grateful to these wonderful people.”

The Gala’s keynote speakers provided the highlight of the evening. First, Kona Community Hospital Chief Nurse Executive, Pat Kalua, RN delivered a heartfelt preview of how the renovated medical oncology clinic and infusion center will be a warm and healing environment for patients.

Next, Alice Daniel and Kathy Kuharski gave touching testimonials of their own experiences with cancer.

“We’re thankful for our donors, supporters and volunteers who made this event such a success,” said Jim Higgins. “Their generosity allows us to continue to support Kona Community Hospital for the health of our community.”

The Kona Hospital Foundation is dedicated to improving Kona Community Hospital for the entire community. Their mission is to fund medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities that would otherwise be unavailable.

Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over five million dollars towards numerous projects that have improved the hospital. Major endeavors include the Adopt-A-Room project, the Radiation Oncology Center, Imaging Center, Nuclear Medicine Suite, and Outpatient Chemotherapy Building.