U.S. Rep Jill Tokuda visited Kona Community Hospital on Monday afternoon.
During a tour of the hospital, members of the KCH executive team highlighted their emergency services and medical surgical units, according to a press release.
Chief Executive Officer Clayton McGhan and Chief Nurse Executive Diane Hale shared background on the hospital’s deferred maintenance and staffing needs, as well as future plans to modernize the hospital’s data systems.
While touring the hospital, Tokuda and employees discussed the challenges of rural access to care.
She was inspired to see firsthand how staff persevere daily in their delivery of health care to West Hawaii residents in spite of the challenges, according to the press release.
“We care deeply about ensuring our community continues to have access to quality health care,” McGhan said.
“Our goal as health care providers is to — first and foremost — ensure our community is healthy. We are delighted that Congresswoman Tokuda made it a priority to meet with our hospital employees and to observe our operations firsthand.”
Of her visit, Tokuda said, “My main takeaway today is that rural health care matters. Access matters.”
The visit came after state lawmakers set aside $18.5 million for KCH in the state budget.
The funding will be used to make important improvements to the facility that will allow hospital employees to continue providing the full range of services to West Hawaii.