HONOLULU A record number of racial minority medical students have graduated from the University of Hawaii.
HONOLULU — A record number of racial minority medical students have graduated from the University of Hawaii.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday that 12 Native Hawaiians and 12 Filipinos were among this year’s 73 graduates from the university’s John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Officials say there were six Native Hawaiian and four Filipino medical school graduates in 2018.
A school official says Native Hawaiians make up 23% of the state population but only 3.4% of Hawaii physicians.
The school says it is increasing efforts to close the gap for racial minority students who wish to pursue medical careers through the yearlong Imi Hoola program.
Officials say Queen’s Health Systems provides a stipend directly to students so they do not have to find employment while in the program.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com