STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1906

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 273

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 273, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 273

CHIYOME L. FUKINO, M.D.,

for a term to expire 12-6-2010,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominee, your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominee will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the government functions related to health.  Your Committee further finds that the nominee has been appointed based upon her credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through her position as Director of Health to which she has been nominated.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the confirmation of Dr. Chiyome L. Fukino from United States Senator Daniel Akaka, the University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Geriatric Medicine, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii Medical Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, American Medical Response, Wahiawa General Hospital, Kahuku Hospital, Leahi Hospital, Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, Na Puuwai, Hawaii Medical Center, Brigham Young University Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii Reserves, Inc., Ironworkers Union Local 625 Stabilization Fund, Hawaiian Marine Enterprises, Wellness Arts Workshops, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Long Term Care Association, MDX Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a State Representative, and twenty-five individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Chiyome Fukino is being reappointed to a second term for the position of Director of Health.  Dr. Fukino is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.  She also received a B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University before returning to Hawaii to attend the University of Hawaii.  Dr. Fukino received her M.D. from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine in 1979 and then went on to complete her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Hawaii Integrated Medical Residency Program.

 

     Dr. Fukino has worked as a physician in Hawaii since 1982 and through her dedication, compassion, professionalism, and understanding of the health care issues that face Hawaii, she has gained the respect and admiration of her colleagues, employees, and patients.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Fukino has proven herself to be an effective leader of one of the most complex executive agencies in the State.  As Director of Health, she has been responsible for approximately four thousand employees and a $1 billion budget.  She is a true consensus builder with superb decision making skills and a management style that facilitates solutions.

 

     Dr. Fukino has demonstrated her commitment to improving the morbidity and mortality rates throughout the State and on improving the health status and quality of life of all of Hawaii's population.  She has actively addressed issues regarding developmental disabilities, environmental health, rural health, behavioral health, emergency medical services, chronic disease prevention, and workforce shortage issues.  She has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive state plan to address critical long term care issues and in establishing the State Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program.  Since Dr. Fukino began as the Director of Health, twenty-two training programs have been established.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair