PMAH 2025 Year in Review: Building Provider Leadership in Hawai‘i

Written By PMAH
 
 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Dear PMAH Members,

As we begin the new year, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for your continued commitment to the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaiʻi and to the communities we serve. A new year brings renewed energy and meaningful opportunities to strengthen our shared mission of service, mentorship, and professional excellence.

PMAH remains focused on fostering strong connections among our members while advancing initiatives that uplift both our profession and the broader community. Through educational programming, collaborative events, advocacy, and service projects, we continue to embody the values that define us as Filipino physicians—compassion, bayanihan, and leadership grounded in service.

As we look ahead to the year, I would like to share an important leadership update. Our president-elect is currently unable to assume the presidency as originally planned. We hold her in our thoughts during this time and ask that her privacy be respected.

To ensure continuity and organizational stability in the interim, PMAH will be proposing a co-presidency model, which will be presented to the general membership for approval. Under this proposed structure, rather than stepping down at the end of my term, I would continue to serve alongside Dr. Marel Ver, who has previously served as PMAH president, with both of us sharing the responsibilities of the role.

This approach allows PMAH to maintain momentum while benefiting from strong institutional memory and collaborative leadership. It also provides the organization with the flexibility to plan thoughtfully for its next phase of leadership development.

As always, we remain committed to cultivating future leaders within PMAH. Members who are interested in becoming more involved or exploring leadership opportunities are encouraged to reach out. A strong organization depends on engaged members who are willing to serve and grow together.

I encourage you to stay engaged in the months ahead, participate in our upcoming activities, and invite colleagues to join our growing PMAH ʻohana. Your involvement and support are what allow this organization to thrive and continue making a meaningful impact across Hawaiʻi.

Thank you for all that you do. I look forward to a productive, inspiring, and meaningful year ahead, and to continuing our work together as an organization.

Warm regards,
Rainier Dennis D. Bautista, MD
President, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii

 
 

2025 Highlights Across Education, Medical Missions, and Community

January

  • Began the year with board planning and alignment on organizational priorities

  • Set focus areas around education, membership engagement, community partnerships and operational stability

February

  • Ohana Medical Missions travelled to the Philippines to provide care to thousands of Filipinos

March

  • Continued collaboration with the Hawaii Medical Association on public policy priorities affecting healthcare professionals, a partnership that will continue into 2026

April

  • Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls hosted Doctors on Stage “Love, Found and Lost” highlighting physician voices, creativity and community connection

May

  • Continued PMAH’s Memorial Weekend CME, drawing increased attendance and stronger sponsorship support than prior years

July

  • Partnered with the Philippine Consulate to host a menopause and perimenopause health seminar, led by Dr Lyla Prather, expanding community-facing education

August

  • Prepared for fall programming and events

October

  • Supported Ohana Medical Missions fundraising Gala

  • Partnered with the PMAH Foundation on a bowling fundraiser to raise scholarship funds for premedical students, including MCAT support and stipends for medical mission participation

  • Supported Hawaii Medical Association “Ola Pono Ike” Fundraising Gala

November

  • Finalized board alignment and planning for the upcoming year

  • Participated in Hawaii Residency Program’s “Physician Career Pathways”

  • Hosted a group of visiting Manila Pediatricians, led by Dr Pia Francisco-Natanauan including a lecture on Adolescent Medicine and a tour of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

December

  • Closed the year with clarity on goals, roles and priorities for 2026

Leadership Promotions in Hawaiʻi Medical Community

  • Dr. Corrie Miller - Appointed as the new director of its Maternal–Fetal Medicine (MFM) Fellowship. Miller becomes the first fellowship graduate to step into its top leadership role, succeeding Dr. Men-Jean Lee, who transitions to Chair of OB/GYN at Rutgers University.

These achievements highlight the growing presence and leadership of Filipino physicians in academic medicine and serve as inspiration for the broader PMAH community.

If you have news or achievements to share, please email info@pmah-hawaii.org for recognition.

More Connection in 2026

In 2026, PMAH will expand networking opportunities to bring members together more frequently in informal, relationship-driven settings.

Save the date for our first networking event of the year:

  • January 30, 2026 at 6:30pm

  • Hana Koa Brewing Co.

  • Limited space available

  • More details and registration information will be shared soon.

What’s Ahead in 2026

January 2026

  • Ohana Medical Mission Dates

    • 1/5 - Naga City, Camarines Sur

    • 1/6 – Calabanga, Camarines Sur

    • 1/7 – Nabua, Camarines Sur

    • 1/8 – Ragay, Camarines Sur

    • 1/10 – Payatas, Quezon City

  • Pau Hana @ Hana Koa Brewing

    • Join us for a PMAH Pau Hana networking event at Hana Koa Brewing Co. in Honolulu, starting at 6:30 PM. Connect with fellow physicians and healthcare professionals in a relaxed, informal setting. Space is limited. Additional details and registration information will be shared soon.

February

  • 2/4 - General Meeting

    • Additional details and registration information will be shared soon.

  • 2/17 - Board meeting

March

  • 3/1 - Leadership Development Training (board only)

April

  • 4/21 - Board Meeting

May

  • 5/22 - Memorial Weekend CME Welcome Pau Hana

  • 5/23-5/24 - Memorial Weekend CME

June

  • 6/16 - Board Meeting

August

  • 8/18 - Board Meeting

September

  • 9/5 - Labor Day Weekend CME (PMAH and Hawaii Rheumatology Society Collaboration)

October

  • 10/20 - Board Meeting

  • Ohana Medical Missions Fundraising Gala

December

  • 12/15 - Board Meeting

  • PMAH Foundation Annual Holiday Party

Get Involved: PMAH Committees for 2026

As PMAH prepares for 2026, we are updating our committee structure and inviting members to get involved. Committees are where strategy turns into action. They are also essential to sustaining our programs, advocacy efforts, and scholarship support.

We are seeking members interested in contributing time, expertise, and leadership across all committees, with a strong need for fundraising and development support throughout.

If you are interested in serving on a committee, supporting fundraising efforts, or learning more about where your skills can contribute most, we encourage you to reach out.

Email info@pmah-hawaii.org to express interest or ask questions. Committee participation is open to members at all stages of their careers.

Call For Abstracts

We are pleased to invite you to submit original articles authored by your residents for consideration in PMAH MWCME 2026. This is a valuable opportunity to showcase the scholarly work, clinical insights, and innovative thinking emerging from your residency program.

We welcome submissions across a range of topics relevant to medical education, clinical practice, advocacy, and systems-based care—topics most relevant to the Filipino patient and the community. Selected articles will be featured as oral poster presentations, offering a platform for early-career physicians to share their voices and perspectives.

Please share this opportunity with your residents and encourage them to submit their work by February 14 through April 15, 2026 (Valentines through tax day will make it memorable). 

MWCME 2026 Scientific research abstract requirements:

1.     Research abstract should be original and has not been presented previously.

2.     Word limit: 750 words (consisting of title, authors’ names and titles, purpose, methods, results, conclusion, sources of support. Text only, no tables or figures.)

3.     Topic areas: Primary Care, Adult and Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Outpatient Medicine, Mental Health, Rehabilitation Medicine, Pharmacotherapeutics, OB GYN, and Surgery. Research topics are preferably in line with serving the Filipino community.

4.     Submit your research abstract with the first author’s CV in PDF format to info@pmah-hawaii.org.

Thank you for supporting the next generation of physician-scholars. We look forward to reviewing their work.

MWCME 2026 Co-Chairs

Pia Francisco-Natanauan, MD

Melissa Natavio, MD

Community Updates

PMAH on the Air
Tune in to “Kalusugan ng Kababayan,” a weekly AlohaCare radio show hosted by Larry Ordonez, Dr. Noelani Coreen C. Hobbs, and Clemen Montero, sharing health insights in English, Tagalog, and Ilocano every Sunday on KNDI 1270AM from 6:00–6:30 PM.

Membership and Communication Updates

As we expand our programming and increase the number of events and touchpoints in the coming year, clear and reliable communication becomes even more important.

As part of our transition to the new PMAH membership portal powered by Wild Apricot, event and membership-related emails will be sent from:

pmah@wildapricot.org

Please add this email address to your contacts and safe sender list to ensure you receive timely updates, event announcements, and membership information.

Over the next few days, you will continue to receive transition-related emails, including membership account setup or confirmation requests and notifications as the membership page moves to the new website.

Provider Opportunities

The Hawai‘i/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center is pleased to announce the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP), funded by the Hawai‘i State Legislature. HELP provides qualified educational loan debt repayment to health professionals licensed, or otherwise certified, to practice in and provide care to patients in Hawai‘i. The Internal Revenue Service defines Qualified Educational Loans under 26 USC 221(d)(1). The State expects HELP to help improve the number of providers in medically underserved areas of Hawai‘i, as well as improve the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers caring for the people of Hawai‘i by lessening the burden of large educational debt.

PMAH is a proud partner of the FilCom CARES project to provide COVID-19 resources our Filipino Communities.

To subscribe to the FilCom CARES newsletter, click HERE

Follow FilCom CARES on Facebook and Instagram for updates

We encourage you to dive into the latest edition of the Hawaii Journal of Health and Social Welfare. This journal is a valuable resource featuring insightful articles and research on critical topics impacting healthcare and social welfare in our community.

Whether you're interested in healthcare innovations, social determinants of health, or community welfare initiatives, the journal offers valuable perspectives and information. Reading it will enrich your understanding and keep you informed about current trends and developments in our field.

Access the journal online by clicking HERE.

Interested in becoming a member?

Benefits of PMAH Membership

As a member of the PMAH you will be able to:

1. Engage Filipino healthcare leaders in advancing the health and well-being of communities in Hawaii and abroad.  

2. Be allowed to participate in a number of unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with your peers, mentors, and other medical leaders in Hawaii. 

3. Attend conventions, seminars, dinners and other related events with like-minded professionals in the field

4. Keep up with the newest developments through our CME Courses and other educational opportunities

5. Become involved with Ohana Medical Missions, providing healthcare and health education to indigent patients in the Philippines, Hawaii, and other countries

Learn more

Want to be more involved in PMAH?

We welcome and encourage PMAH membership engagement!!
If you have a special interest, please ask us!
We also are always looking for potential new board members. 
New ideas, suggestions, concerns, and comments welcome!
Please reach out to us!

Email us

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE to PMAH and our Affiliates

Your donations are greatly appreciated !
https://pmah-hawaii.org/take-action

All affiliates are non-profit charitable organizations 501(c)(3).
*When making a donation, please specify in comments preferred use ie general fund, mentorship, etc.

CONTACT US

We'd love to learn about announcements / education / opportunities / events
Please email info@pmah-hawaii.org

PMAH
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