Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital gets legislative commendation

KAPA‘A — Senate President Ron Kouchi and Rep. Nadine Nakamura took advantage of the end of the legislative session to personally congratulate the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, Kaua‘i Region, and more specifically, the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital on its national honor that was announced during the legislative session.

The occasion on Friday was an opportunity to taste the homemade goodness of malasadas that went along with coffee and juice created by Kirsten Tennberg, the daughter of Cheryl Tennberg, who is wrapping up the final days of summer vacation.

“The Thirty-Second Legislature of the Hawai‘i State Senate is honored to recognize and congratulate Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital for being nationally-recognized by the National Rural Health Association for receiving the 2023 Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals Best Practice in Quality award,” states the legislative commendation delivered by Kouchi.

SMMH was selected for the honor by the National Rural Health Association based on a list that was provided by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Chartis Center rates rural health care systems based on the health care industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance in the country.

Lance Segawa, the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, Kaua‘i CEO told the SMMH leadership team the award belongs to them and their individual contributions in the hospital’s performance.

Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital was established in 1917 to primarily treat patients with tuberculosis. Since then, SMMH has adapted to the needs of Kaua‘i residents through the addition of specialty clinics and outpatient services as needed to fulfill the community’s health care demands.

SMMH has remained dedicated to providing innovative ways to improve the quality of care to the community for more than a century. Presently designated as a “critical access hospital,” SMMH is a rural medical facility that provides essential services and ideal patient experiences, the commendation certificate states.

That also prompted a tour for Kouchi, Nakamura, Oracle’s Randy Eggleston and Dr. Michelle Flemmings to view the new CT scanner as well as construction that will improve the Radiology Department at the SMMH.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.