PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Brownfield
tammy.m.brownfield@kp.org
July 29, 2025
Local teens join Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program
Kaiser Permanente helps students offset travel and accommodation expenses and provides physician-shadowing opportunities.
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente of Hawaii and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine proudly welcomed nine high school students from Hawaii’s neighbor islands this week as part of the Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program, a joint initiative designed to inspire the next generation of Hawaii physicians and tackle the state’s ongoing physician shortage.
The program gives students the opportunity to attend the Medical Diagnosis and Treatment program — a week-long, hands-on experience at JABSOM on Oahu. Following MDT, students return to their home islands to shadow local Kaiser Permanente physicians and other health care partners in their own communities, gaining real-world exposure to clinical care while applying what they've learned in the classroom.
“Having these bright and motivated students on our campus last week was incredibly rewarding,” said Dr. Jill Omori, director of the Office of Medical Education, JABSOM. “For the students to have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned at MDT in a real clinical setting with physicians from Kaiser Permanente is truly invaluable in nurturing their growth and commitment to health care careers.”
“Our partnership with JABSOM is one of the most meaningful ways we can support the development of future physicians — especially those from the neighbor islands,” said John Yang, MD, president and medical director of Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “When students feel connected to their home communities and a deep sense of ‘kuleana’ to give back, they’re more likely to return and serve where they’re needed most. That’s one of the ways we can address the physician shortage across Hawaii.”
Dr. Rennia Cabal-Amisola, family medicine physician with NIMSP student Jayan Carvalho at Kaiser Permanente Maui Lani Elua Clinic.
Nea Portillo, a student at Kihei Charter School on Maui, expressed her gratitude to JABSOM, Kaiser Permanente, and all the partners that made this program possible. Reflecting that she was affected by the Maui wildfires, she shared: “After seeing how my community was impacted and knowing that there is a great need for more people to serve in our health care industry, it makes me want to step up and help fill a role. That way, if our community is ever in a crisis moment in the future, I want to be able to help take care of our community.”
“I love getting to actually do what I’m learning in school, what I’m interested in, and getting awesome hands-on experience. I love all the labs we’re doing about anatomy and learning more about patient encounters. I can’t express how awesome it is that I’m getting to do what I want to do at only 16 years old,” shared Colten Clarke, a student at Kealakehe High School on Hawaii Island.
The Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program aims to inspire local students to pursue careers in medicine and return home to care for their communities. By removing financial and geographical barriers and creating meaningful learning experiences, JABSOM and Kaiser Permanente are working together to cultivate a homegrown workforce that reflects Hawaii’s diversity and values.
This marks the third year of the Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program and the first year that Kaiser Permanente has joined as a partner. In addition to the dedicated JABSOM students who helped design and lead this initiative, Kaiser Permanente extends its sincere appreciation to the Neighbor Island Medical Scholars Program board, especially Ryan Keli'i Shontel, PhD, Kennedy-Kainoa Tamashiro, Zoey Simmons, and Josh Ooka for their leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation of health care professionals.
About JABSOM
Established in 1965, the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is one of the degree-granting schools of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Named in honor of the visionary former governor, JABSOM trains the next generation of outstanding physicians, scientists, medical technologists, and speech pathologists to improve the health and wellness of our many communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Our impactful research focuses on understanding and addressing health needs that are high priority for the populations we serve. JABSOM is home to the first clinical department in an accredited medical school in the nation that is focused on health issues of an indigenous population, Native Hawaiians.