With respect to our educational mission, our trainees include medical students, graduate students, interns, residents, clinical and research fellows, and postdoctoral fellows. We provide clinical training in all of the disciplines in internal medicine. In addition, fellowship training is available in general internal medicine and all of the sub-specialties.
Our clinical programs provide for outstanding and innovative patient care in general and sub-specialty medicine. Our physicians pride themselves in offering state-of-the-art clinical care, with a commitment to providing care high quality care to all those who seek out help.
The research focus of the Department is on interdisciplinary research programs related to human disease. These research programs are pursed in collaboration with other departments in the School of Medicine, other Schools within the University, and other national and international institutions and organizations.
The core mission and vision of the University of Hawaiʻi Department of Medicine are centered on the health and well-being of the people of Hawaiʻi by providing excellent and state-of-the art care and knowledge in internal medicine and all of its sub specialties. Our vision is aligned with JABSOMʻs significance of ALOHA: Attaining Lasting Optimal Health for All. The delivery of excellent medical care requires constant and dedicated efforts not only in the clinical practice of medicine, but also with the education of patients and caregivers, and, new medical and scientific discoveries through research.
The research performed by the talent in the Department of Medicine has especially focused on variations in diseases due to the unique ethnic populations of Hawaiʻi. This uniqueness in Hawaiʻi has its challenges as some of our ethnic groups have relatively high rates of cancers, heart disease, metabolic diseases and infections compared with the Mainland U.S. Dedicated efforts have led to important discoveries such as the association between the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, and stomach cancers and longevity genes that afford the Okinawan population with some of the longest lifespans across the world. We continue this proud tradition with ongoing federally funded investigations in cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, cancers, metabolic diseases and aging. Many of our clinical and research efforts are dedicated to the under-served populations in Hawaiʻi. As internal medicine is a rapidly evolving and dynamic field, Internal Medicine serves an important role through outreach to our communities and leaders by disseminating important medical information based on evidence provided through clinical trials and studies.
The Department of Medicine plays a major role in the education of future physicians by developing clinical learning environments and offering many courses, rotations and electives for the John A. Burns School of Medicine medical students. In addition, the Department of Medicine currently has the largest post-graduate internal medicine residency training program in Hawaiʻi with over 60 residents in training, including a fellowship training program in cardiology and the UH Primary Care (UHPC) Program.
Lastly, our Department of Medicine recognizes and celebrates the remarkable diversity of Hawaiʻi’s people and pledges to continue its service and inclusion of all patients who seek our care.
Mahalo Nui,
Scott K. Kuwada, MD, AGAF, FACP
Ken and Gemie Arakawa Endowed Chair of Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine