The Kona Community Hospital Medical Staff currently consists of 168 physicians representing 26 specialties. The newly appointed Medical Staff Officers are Chief of Staff Robert Saito, MD, Radiology; Vice Chief of Staff Beth Groshong, DO, Anesthesiology; and Secretary/Treasurer Christina Collins, MD, Obstetrics/Gynecology. Their terms are for two years and will begin January 1, 2012.
In addition, Dr. Kathy Rokavec is the new Medical Director for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) West Hawaii Region which includes Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. She started in September and her position is part of the hospital’s Administration Team.
Her previous roles include Family Physician, Hospitalist, Medical Director, Physician Advisor, and Hospital Board of Director. She is currently the region’s Physician Champion for the Electronic Medical Records project that is to be implemented by 2013.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut and her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan.
She also wrote “The Hospital Book,” published in November 2009. It is a guide to navigate through a hospital stay and get the best care possible.
Dr. Rokavec commented, “I am excited to work at the hospital in this capacity. My goals are to build a strong relationship with our hospital administration and medical staff so we can provide great, quality care to our community. I also would like to identify the challenges and opportunities we have to see what we can do to improve our services.”
“We are fortunate to have someone like Dr. Kathy Rokavec, who is enthusiastic and passionate about making positive changes for our doctors,” stated Jay Kreuzer, CEO of Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. “She comes with experience and determination, and has already taken the physician leadership reins for the large Electronic Medical Records project.”