The Puna Community Medical Center recently received a $10,000 award from HMSA. The award was administered by the Hawaii Island United Way as part of the Hawaii Island Well-Being Challenge, an initiative of Community First and the County of Hawaii.
The Puna Community Medical Center recently received a $10,000 award from HMSA. The award was administered by the Hawaii Island United Way as part of the Hawaii Island Well-Being Challenge, an initiative of Community First and the County of Hawaii.
In the months of November and December, Community First along with the County of Hawaii put on the Hawaii Island Well-Being Challenge. The challenge was an opportunity to help community members get a better understanding of their health by taking a confidential online health assessment.
In all, 1,198 assessments were done. In recognition of the effort made by Community First to challenge the community to take a step toward greater well-being, HMSA gave a generous award of $10,000 to the Hawaii Island United Way to help the Puna community recover from the devastation of Tropical Storm Iselle and respond to the threat of the June 27 lava flow.
The Puna Community Medical Center was chosen as the recipient of the award. The medical center has incurred tremendous expenses because of the impending lava flow.
“It is both wonderful and timely to receive such a wonderful and generous gift,” said Dan Domizio, Puna Community Medical Center clinical program director. “This money will be put to work immediately to help with the unexpected moving expenses we incurred due to the lava flow. This support couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“As a resident of Puna, I know firsthand the toll the lava flow has taken on our community,” said HMSA Customer Service Operations Manager Sarah Luchenbill. “I’m honored to present this $10,000 check to Hawaii Island United Way to support relief efforts in Puna.”
Community First is a nonprofit organization led by KTA’s Barry Taniguchi and supported by a volunteer board of local community leaders. Community First recently was established to help the community respond to the health care cost crisis and support initiatives that change health care from just treating disease to caring for health.
“I’m really grateful to work closely with HMSA, the Hawaii Island United Way and the County of Hawaii to support the Puna Community Medical Center and to help ensure we move forward on becoming the healthiest community we can be,” Taniguchi said.