US Med Urgent Care in Hawaii is Part of Local Solution to Primary Care Physician Shortage

HONOLULU - June 16, 2014 - PRLog -- It’s a fact. Researchers at The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), University of Hawaii Manoa have found the MD shortage statewide is worsening. Hawaii has hundreds fewer primary care physicians than it needs, and the shortage is expected to grow. As part of the local solution to help avert this crisis, US Med Urgent Care Pearl City is once again providing opportunities for students and graduates to experience and learn in a professional healthcare environment. Medical Director, Dr. Brandon Shirai explains, “The program provides hands on exposure, experience and mentoring, and inspires and empowers interns to successfully pursue health careers.”

For over twenty years, Donna Schmidt, CEO, has been leading the way with innovative solutions and serving the medical care needs of the community. She remarks, “Our Building the Healthcare Workforce for the Future Summer Internship Program is a great opportunity for students and graduates to be exposed to a professional healthcare environment. The shortage of primary care physicians in Hawaii is a growing problem, especially as people age. In addition, more people are becoming newly insured and need convenient medical care. It is clear that urgent care centers are a cost-saving alternative to the emergency room, and more healthcare professionals are needed.”

Intern Alexandria Tierra is happy to have been accepted in the program. She remarked, “I hope to gain the quality skills I need when caring for a patient.” Intern Khelsy Kaawaloa said, “I look forward to gaining more skills and experience in the health field.”  Intern Jordanne Calderon stated, “I know that with the experience this internship will give me, I will not doubt myself when caring for patients.”

The ultimate aim of the program is to improve the health of communities by developing value driven health leaders and professionals capable of and committed to addressing Hawaii’s complex health challenges. Melissa Bojorquez, US Med Urgent Care Community Outreach Liaison/Business Development Coordinator explains, “The opportunity to provide this internship program for our community of Pearl City and the Central Oahu area is very important and supports our goal to provide solutions to meet the future challenges in healthcare."

The summer internship program includes students and graduates from Pearl City High School, Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaii – West Oahu. “We are grateful to US Med Urgent Care Pearl City for providing this safe and supportive work environment for students in our work-study program,” remarks Kat Takao Oka, Coordinator for the Pearl City High School Career and Transitions Center. “Along with learning excellent work ethics and skills, this real-world experience helps the students grow as future healthcare professionals and community contributors.”

US Med Urgent Care Pearl City opened two years ago and filled a dire need for urgent medical services. The center has received recognition and honors from the Honolulu City Council. Donna Schmidt, the founder and CEO, was a Finalist in the Pacific Business Women Who Mean Business 2013.

US Med Urgent Care Pearl City is a medical clinic providing immediate and urgent medical care on Oahu for Pearl City, Honolulu, Waikiki, Waipahu, Aiea, Kapolei, Kunia, Waipio, Makakilo, Halawa, Mililani, and Ewa Beach. The clinic provides a quick and affordable option for people needing immediate medical care and treatment for common or everyday health problems seven days a week – no appointments are necessary. It is a full service Urgent Care Center and has state-of-the-art technology to keep in touch with patients’ primary care physicians. It also has a digital x-ray suite and procedure room. Along with immediate medical care, it offers drug testing, lab tests and provides basic services such as Sports and School Physicals, Occupational Health and Workers’ Comp. US Med Urgent Care Pearl City is a DOT qualified collection site. It is located at 1245 Kuala Street, Pearl City. Phone: 808-456-CARE (2273). www.USMedUrgentCare.com

US Med Urgent Care Pearl City is certified by The Urgent Care Association of America.