Kona Community (KCH) and Kohala Hospitals recently welcomed five new members to the West Hawaii Region Board of Directors as it also bid farewell to outgoing members.
New BOD members are Mark Danderson, Dr. Gary Goldberg, Dr. Edwin Gramlich, Dr. Frank Sayre and Steven Sparks. July 1st was the term start date for these new members.
“Delivering quality health care is becoming increasingly complex,” said Bill Cliff, Board Chair. “Additionally, we face a number of financial realities that are unique to our state. The expertise of our new members will enhance our board’s ability to fulfill our mission to provide the best possible health care for all West Hawaii residents.”
Mark Danderson is the President of MDanderson Consulting Group specializing in business development and product launches in the Asia/Pacific region. Danderson has 25 years of experience in medical publishing and education in America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Gary Goldberg, MD is an emergency physician and physician director of emergency services at North Hawaii Community Hospital. As a hospital based physician, Dr. Goldberg is skilled in physician management and working as part of a hospital team to create high quality patient-centered care.
Edwin Gramlich, MD is a retired physician and long-time resident of West Hawaii. Dr. Gramlich’s extensive medical experience includes primary care as a U.S. Naval Flight Surgeon, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry as well as health care communications and conflict resolution. Gramlich joined Kona Community Hospital in 2001 as a psychiatrist. He served as Medical Director to the hospital’s the long term care unit from 2006-2008.
Frank Sayre, DDS recently retired from 45-year career in general dentistry. Dr. Sayre was a member of the KCH surgical staff as well as HHSC’s Management Advisory Committee for West Hawaii. Sayre has a long history community commitment and is a volunteer board member on the Daniel Sayre Memorial Foundation. Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH), the Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a Advisory Council and Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization.
Steven Sparks is a real estate consultant new to the West Hawaii area. For the past 44 years, Mr. Sparks has acted as a commercial appraiser and consultant for special purchase properties including a full range of medical properties such as acute care hospitals in 38 states. Sparks’ background in the health care industry and specifically construction techniques and costs will be a positive contribution to the board and community.
The newly appointed board members join sitting members Bill Cliff, Chair, Renee Inaba, Vice Chair, Reginald T. Morimoto, Secretary/Treasurer, Joel Gimpel, Dr. Richard McDowell, Richard Taaffe and Reed Flickinger to round out the 2014 2015 West Hawaii Region Board of Directors.
Outgoing board members due to term expirations are Dr. Alistair Bairos, Dr. Kevin Kunz, Patti Aoki, Daniel Rick, PT and David Kaapu, Esquire.
“A sincere ‘mahalo’ to our departing board members,” said Bill Cliff. “They are committed community leaders. Each has contributed countless hours of volunteer time to maximize the quality of life on our island by making Kona Community Hospital the best it could be.”