National Doctors’ Day – March 30, 2011

In recognition of National Doctors’ Day on Wednesday, March 30, Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital invite you to join them in saying mahalo to all of the physicians in our community.

“We are grateful for the tireless dedication and excellent service that our physicians at Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital provide to the West Hawaii community,” commented Emily Mendez-Bryant, Community Relations Director of Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. “We may take for granted the physicians that are here in our community because they are our friends and neighbors, and are more than willing to help in any way they can. However, we know it is not easy to be a doctor. By simply saying thank you to them for their unparalleled work can demonstrate our appreciation for taking on an ambitious and challenging career.”

Kona Community Hospital’s Medical Executive Committee comprises of Beth Groshong, D.O., Chief of Staff and Anesthesia Department Chair; Robert Saito, M.D., Vice Chief of Staff and Radiology Department Chair; Christina Collins, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer; Lawrence Peebles, M.D., Ex Officio Chief of Staff; Richard McDowell, M.D., Emergency Department Chair; JoAnne Lombardi, M.D., Medicine Department Chair; James Ruiz, M.D., OB/Gyn Department Chair; Wesley Sugai, M.D., Pediatrics Department Chair; and Andrew Fedder, M.D., Surgery Department Chair. Donald Elder, M.D., is the Chief of Staff for Kohala Hospital.

The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians. The House of Representatives passed a resolution in 1958 officially recognizing Doctors’ Day; and in 1991, President George Bush issued an executive order that designated March 30 as National Doctors’ Day.

For an entire list of physicians at Kona Community Hospital, please visit their website at www.kch.hhsc.org.

Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service acute and long-term care hospital with 24-hour emergency services that supports the west region of the island of Hawaii. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. KCH is dedicated to providing and enhancing accessible comprehensive healthcare services to the West Hawaii community.

Kohala Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital with acute and long-term care services and a 24-hour emergency room that supports the North Kohala community. Its mission is to provide a “healing” environment to the community of North Kohala through the provision of quality health care services with emphasis on quality of life to all patients and residents.