Laura Kau‘ionalani Nishizaki, LCSW, LMSW, has been promoted to VP of Native Hawaiian Health (NHH), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice and Caregiver Wellness (DEIJ & CW), and NHH DEIJ & CW Research at The Queen’s Health Systems.
Nishizaki will provide leadership in the development and implementation of strategic and innovative initiatives to further the organization’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawaiʻi. She will also oversee the continued advancement of diversity and wellness, and NHH, DEIJ & CW research.
Nishizaki joined QMC in 2017 as a Project Coordinator/Clinical Social Worker for the Ke Ku‘una Na‘au Native Hawaiian Patient Navigation Program. Most recently, she served as Director of the Native Hawaiian Health Department.
QHS is also announcing the retirements of Naleen Naupaka Andrade, M.D. and Gerard Akaka, M.D.
Dr. Andrade joined Queen’s in 1987 as a University of Hawai‘i, John A. Burns School of Medicine Assistant Professor and Psychiatry attending physician at the Kekela unit and the Emergency Department. Since then, she has served in a number of roles, including Chair of the QMC and QHS Board of Trustees. In 2022, she was named Executive Vice President of Native Hawaiian Health and Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DEIJ) Officer.
Some of the many highlights of Dr. Andrade’s work include:
- Working with Dr. Gerard Akaka, VP Native Hawaiian Affairs & Clinical Support Services, and Eric Martinson, EVP Endowment and Chief Investment Officer, President of Queen Emma Land Company, to recruit and develop two fully integrated teams of outstanding caregivers and rising leaders who serve within the departments of NHH and DEIJ & Caregiver Wellness (CW).
- Working with Kau‘i Nishizaki, Dr. Akaka, and the NHH team to update and operationalize the Kahua Ola NHH Strategic Plan 2.0 in 2022 and complete the 10-year Kahua Ola Roadmap in 2024.
- Working with Dr. Andrea Hepuapo‘okela Hermosura, the DEIJ & CW team and leadership group to complete and implement the 5-year DEIJ Strategic Roadmap in 2022 and complete and operationalize the Caregiver Wellness Strategic Roadmap approved in 2024; and establishing the QHS DEIJ & CW Council.
- Establishing our NHH, DEIJ & CW Research department that will oversee the Queen’s Clinical Genomics Institute through a partnership with QMC Oncology, Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS), the Queen’s University Physician Group, and QMC Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation.
- Native Hawaiian Health and DEIJ Teams received the 2023 QHS Po‘okela Mission Champions Award. Naleen and her team also received national recognition as the Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare – 2023 by Modern Healthcare for our DEIJ & CW and NHH work. She was also recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 111 hospital and health system chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officers to know in 2024.
“I am a Queen’s physician, patient, academic professor, researcher, trustee, and executive,” said Dr. Andrade. “Within our Founders’ Room at Manamana, my spirit fills with knowing I did my utmost serving Kamehameha Ali‘i in the 20th and 21st century as my ancestor Kekūhaupi‘o served Kamehameha I during the 18th and 19th centuries.”
Dr. Andrade will be returning to the University of Hawai‘i School of Medicine on December 1, 2024, and retiring on March 1, 2025.
Gerard Akaka, M.D. has served at The Queen’s Health Systems since 2002, most recently as Vice President of Native Hawaiian Affairs and Clinical Support. He’s also an Internal Medicine physician who served in the U.S. Air Force, then at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center before moving to the Queen’s Medical Center.
Since joining Queen’s, Dr. Akaka’s work has included:
- The Queen Emma Clinic (QEC), where he taught many residents and students who are now Hawaii’s excellent primary care and specialty physicians serving in Queen’s University Medical Group and Hawaii. QEC also has a fine legacy of care for vulnerable populations.
- Native Hawaiian Health, where Dr. Akaka played a pivotal role in the creation and development of QHS’ Native Hawaiian Health Department and guided its impact within Queen’s and Hawaii.
- As VP Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Akaka served as interface between QHS medical staff and administration. He always did so with Aloha, through challenges and changes, and during this time he befriended many physicians, nurses and staff.
- Clinical Support, where Dr. Akaka worked to revitalize QHS’ Dental Residency program and renovate the Dental Clinic. QHS Employee Health leaders effectively worked with other stakeholders to support Queen’s through COVID. The Hawaii Medical Library (HML) was converted to a medical librarian service to support many more users.
- Dr. Akaka was also recognized as a Physician of the Year and O’o Awards recipient.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Queen’s and will treasure the times spent with my wonderful teams, friends and patients,” said Dr. Akaka. “I bid you a fond Aloha and may God bless you all!”
Dr. Akaka’s last day at work will be December 21, 2024.
“We thank Naleen and Gerard for their many contributions to native Hawaiians, all of the people of Hawaii, and The Queen’s Health Systems,” said Jason Chang, President and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems. “We wish them nothing but the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
