Imi Hoola Post Baccalaureate Program

“Those Who Seek To Heal”

Vision & Mission of JABSOM
Vision:  Maikai Loa: Attain Lasting Optimal Health for All (ALOHA).

Mission:  JABSOM, as part of the fabric of Hawaii, is a diverse learning community committed to excellence and leadership in:

• • Educating current and future healthcare professionals and leaders.
  • Delivering high-quality healthcare.
  • Conducting research and translating discoveries into practice.
  • Establishing community partnerships and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration.
  • Pursuing alliances unique to Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.
  • Acting with forethought regarding right relationships, respect, and moral action.  Pono

Overview
The Imi Hoola Post-Baccalaureate Program has played a major role in accomplishing JABSOM’s mission to improve health care in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Basin by increasing the number of physicians through a 12-month educational program that addresses disadvantaged* students’ academic and social-emotional needs.  ʻImi Hoʻōla’s goal is to support diversity of the physician workforce and produce physicians who demonstrate a strong commitment to practice in underserved communities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. ʻImi Hoʻōla is a program located within the Department of Native Hawaiian Health.

Each year, up to 12 students from economic, social, and/or educational disadvantaged backgrounds are selected to participate in the post-baccalaureate program. Applicants to the Imi Hoola program have diverse backgrounds and are motivated to overcome challenges that have prevented them from achieving their academic potential. Although ʻImi Hoʻōla is not limited to persons of Hawaiian, Filipino, Samoan, Chamorro, and Micronesian descent, a large number of these students have demonstrated that they are from a disadvantaged background.

During the intensive year of medical school preparation study, the students are supported by stipends from The Queenʻs Health Systems (QHS). QHS has supported our University of Hawaii Native Hawaiian Health programs since 2002.

The ʻImi Hoʻōla curriculum emphasizes the integration of concepts and principles in the sciences and humanities and further develops communication and learning skills.  Upon successful completion of the program, students enter JABSOM as first-year medical students.  For frequently asked questions about the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program, click here.

Graduates of the Program who matriculate into JABSOM are expected to fulfill the essential functions of the academic programs required for graduation as listed in the JABSOM Policy on Essential Functions Required for the MD Program for Admissions, Continuation, and Graduation and Disability Accommodation.  Click here for the JABSOM Essential Functions Policy listed under Students/JABSOM MD Program Policies.

Learn more about the Imi Hoola Program and the educational opportunities in medicine provided to students from diverse backgrounds that have a commitment to serve in areas of need in Hawaii and the Pacific Basin.

For more information, contact:

Imi Hoola Program
651 Ilalo Street, MEB
Honolulu, HI 96813

Email: imihoola@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 692-1030
Fax: (808) 692-1254

* A person who comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from medical school; and/or comes from a family with an annual income below a level based on low-income thresholds according to family size, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Census.

Mahalo to the Queen’s Health Systems and UH Foundation community donors for their longstanding support of our Imi Hoola students and graduates.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution