UH Med Now

Pictured: In Kalihi, Dr.Seiji Yamada (Family Medicine and Community Health), Dr. Michael Walter, Kalihi-Pālama Health Center Medical Director, and donation drive organizers Joel Sabugo, Arcelita Imasa (and baby) and Gabriel Lapid, UH medical students.

The children’s book drive organized by students of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) exceeded its goal. Six hundred 43 gently-used books were donated for the enjoyment of pediatric patients at the Kalihi-Pālama Health Center, and to boost literacy in the neighborhood.

The month-long drive included donation boxes placed at the University of Hawai’i medical school, and a social media campaign designed by the MD students. The results exceeded the 500-book goal by 143 books!

“Through your generosity, the children of the Kalihi-Pālama Health Center will have more access to educational, fun, and colorful books that they can read and take home,” said Gabriel Lapid, who is about to enter his final year of study at JABSOM. “Thank you to everyone who scoured their houses – even their friends’ and families’ houses – to make this donation drive a huge success”!