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JABSOM Celebrates 60 Years of Healing in Hawaiʻi

The John A. Burns School of Medicine 60 Years Later – A Promise Fulfilled

For 60 years, the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) has honored its commitment to Hawaiʻi by advancing science, improving health, and fostering connection. Together, we’ve built a school rooted in excellence, compassion and service to Hawaiʻi.

students at 60th anniversary event

The John A. Burns School of Medicine has recently marked 60 years of educating physicians and improving health care across Hawaiʻi.

Since opening its doors in 1965, JABSOM has trained more than 3,000 doctors. Today, roughly half of all physicians in Hawaiʻi either graduated from JABSOM or teach here.

More than 500 students, alumni, faculty, community partners, and staff gathered at the Royal Hawaiian to celebrate the milestone last Saturday.

The evening featured the inaugural JABSOM Distinguished Alumni Awards applauding both Dr. Neal Palafox and Dr. Reni Soon.

Dr. Neal Palafox was honored with the Hie Award for his cancer and nuclear testing research in the Pacific.

Dr. Reni Soon was honored with the Hōkūhoʻokelewaʻa Award for her advocacy in reproductive rights and women’s health.
As Hawaiʻi’s only medical school, JABSOM continues to fulfill its mission as the medical school for the entire state as it expands its reach across the islands. New residency programs are now being established on the neighbor islands. To capture the unique aspects of the school, JABSOM’s Media and Communications team unveiled The Heart of JABSOM. Ryan Keliʻi Shontell, Dr. Geri Young, Dr. Venkataraman Balaraman, and Dr. Keolamau Yee were chosen to be featured in three vignettes that represent the school’s hyperlocal approach to research, its commitment to rural education, and the way students are taught to provide care with aloha.
The evening featured a hula performance by MS2 students Kaela Akina-Magnussen, Lincoln Hunt, Trini Leung, Aljay Carnate Jr., Karina Sharma, Kasey Emoto, and Kalpana Balaraman. The students danced to Ke Alaula, performed by the Mākaha Sons, and the celebration was capped off by renowned musician Jake Shimabukuro, who took a break from his international tour to join the celebration. Shimabukuro, who also performed at JABSOM’s 50th anniversary, is married to Dr. Kelly Yamasato, a 2005 JABSOM alumnus and current OBGYN faculty.

JABSOM Dean Dr. Sam Shomaker reflected on how far the school has come.
“When I was a medical student, we had around 60 students in a class. Now we’re up to 77. Twenty-four hundred applicants apply for those 77 spots — so we’re doing something right,” he said. “This medical school has grown out of the community, and Hawaiʻi is all about aloha. Our medical school is all about aloha.”
University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel praised JABSOM’s impact across the state and beyond.
“The role of JABSOM is so critical in Hawaiʻi,” Hensel said. “The work they’ve done touches everyone who lives here and reaches far beyond the islands. We’re so proud to be part of JABSOM at UH, and I don’t think there are any limits to where they can go next.”

Photos & Media Coverage

Check out our official JABSOM Flickr Album from the 60th Anniversary Celebration :

Photographs from the JABSOM 60th Anniversary Gala showing event highlights

Additional coverage:

On October 8th, Dean Sam Shomaker and JABSOM's 60th Anniversary was highlighted as the Midweek cover story, "Fighting the Good Fight."

Scholarships: The Heart of our Mission

Your generosity fuels the dream of tomorrow’s doctors, researchers and healthcare leaders. Every table, every seat and every gift make a difference. Proceeds from this event will provide critical support for the next generation of healers and help JABSOM continue its legacy of excellence.

Mahalo nui loa. Together we are building a healthier future for all of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific– one student at a time.