Dr. Lynda M. Dolan will be honored as East Hawaii’s 2014 Doctor of the Year at the Hilo Medical Center Foundation’s 12th annual “Wine, Cheese, Chocolate and More!” event from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, in the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Moku’ola Room.
The Hawaii County Medical Society selected Dolan, a family practice physician in Hilo, for the annual honor. Dolan also is medical director of Hospice of Hilo and staff physician at Hilo Medical Center’s Long Term Care unit. She serves on various professional committees, is an active community volunteer for St. Joseph School and an HMC Foundation trustee.
Dolan has been practicing medicine for 21 years. She graduated from the SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1993.
In addition to her busy practice, she provides direction and has overall responsibility for all medical aspects of the Hospice of Hilo patient care program. She is part of the Interdisciplinary Team and elicits the support and cooperation of attending physicians in providing care for the general medical needs of Hospice of Hilo patients as related to their life- limiting illness.
Dolan also meets the general needs of Hospice patients to the extent that these needs are not being met by an attending physician. Some of her duties include: Reviewing patient eligibility for Hospice of Hilo service; participating in developing and revising patient’s plan of care, and serving as liaison between Hospice of Hilo and the medical community.
Dolan’s association with Hospice of Hilo began in 1999, and in 2009 she became the medical director, guiding the Hospice of Hilo Interdisciplinary Team forward in providing a superior level of comfort care for families facing end-of-life issues.
“She remains steady and calm, building bridges between hospice professionals and physicians as she holds the hands and hearts of family members who watch their loved ones transition,” said a hospice spokesman.
Tickets for the event cost $100 and are available at Grapes-A Wine Store, Kadota’s Liquor and the HMS Foundation office at 935-2957.
This year, physicians and the new residents at the Primary Care Training Program will be competing in a “guys vs. gals” attempt to raise the most tips while serving appetizers made with fresh ingredients donated by local farmers, ranchers and cheesemakers.
Master Sommelier Patrick Okubo, who is a certified wine educator and specialist of spirits, will share his knowledge about wine. Randy Nunokawa and Ryan Kadota will be at the respective wine-tasting stations to share “Learn the Art of Wine Tasting.”
Guest Chef Ernesto will be on hand again, with cheeses, olive oils and a selection of balsamic vinegar. There will be lots of chocolate candies to nibble, and attendees can dip strawberries and pineapple in white, milk or dark chocolate fountains. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
“We are grateful to the sponsors who have generously supported our 12th annual wine and cheese event,” said Chairs Steve Godszak and Marie Ruhland.
Auction chairs Marcella Stroh and Phoebe Lambeth said, “we are thrilled with the donation from businesses of artwork, jewelry, spa packages, Disneyland admission tickets, hotel stays and golf packages for our silent and live auctions.”
In addition to the fun, fine wine and food, there will be the more serious business of welcoming the new physicians who have begun practicing in Hilo during the past year. The foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the Hilo Medical Center with projects that benefit the greater community.
