The Kona Hospital Foundation was recently selected as one of three recipients of the 2013 Bank of Hawaii Monty Richards Hawaii Island Community Award. The announcement was made at a presentation at Kahua Ranch on Thursday, Sept. 19. The $10,000 award received by the Foundation will fund the purchase of urologic equipment for the operating suites at Kona Community Hospital (KCH).
The award was established in 2008 in honor of Herbert “Monty” Montague Richards, Jr., a former long-time Bank of Hawaii board member and innovative community leader. Selection criteria for awards include 1) how well an organization fulfills its mission; 2) the leadership demonstrated by the organization’s executive director and board; and 3) what steps the organization has in place to address one of the focus areas of community development, education and human services; and 4) how the organization plans to use the award.
The award funds will go toward the purchase of a nephroscope and resectoscope for the KCH operating rooms. Kona Hospital Foundation Chairman Jim Higgins noted that, “The equipment will make it possible for the KCH surgical team to perform a broader range of urologic surgeries, requiring less off-island travel for certain urologic conditions.” He added that, “we are very grateful to be selected for the Bank of Hawaii Monty Richards Hawaii Island Community Award.