Alumni News
Weeks of cold and stormy weather finally let up just in time for the first John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) Alumni Association Golf Tournament in March. Sunny skies and occasional cool breezes greeted the participants and volunteers who came together to raise funds for the school’s alumni association scholarships and the MD Class of 2026.
“We organized a golf tournament as fundraising for our class when I was an MS1, which was a great success and we toyed with the idea over the past few years during meetings with the JABSOM Alumni Association Board of Directors. Finally, we just decided to try to see if it would work!” said Dr. Christie Izutsu (JABSOM MD), alumni association board treasurer and one of the main organizers of the event.
The tournament was held at the Ewa Beach Country Club. The golfers set off in their carts with bentos to go and new JABSOM vacuum-insulated water bottles and teed off at noon. Some golfers were able to hit long and straight drives off the tee, while others showed off their short game skills on the greens.
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Familiar faces included alumni, faculty, residents, their families, local businesses and even some medical students who took the opportunity to get to know their preceptors better through friendly competition.
For Bryan Nakasone the event was the perfect opportunity to spend a beautiful day out with his family while contributing to the school.
“This (the tournament) is great! I like to be on the golf course and I’ll support you guys (JABSOM) anytime,” said Nakasone, father of Dr. Ryon Nakasone (JABSOM MD 2006), alumni association board vice president.
The tournament was followed by a banquet dinner and silent auction. Overall, the inaugural golf tournament was a great success and demonstrated the strong sense of community and support that exists within the school and the wider JABSOM ʻOhana.
“I’d love to do this again… but bigger and better!” Izutsu said.
The JABSOM Alumni Association is thankful for everyone who participated this year and to our sponsors:
Cataract and Vision Center of Hawaii
Hawaii Oncology, Inc.
Honolulu Laser & Eye Clinic
Christie Izutsu, MD
John C H Lee, MD Inc.
Queen’s University Medical Group Surgeons at Kuakini: Drs. Andrew Oishi, Junji Machi, Nancy Furumoto, Chad Cryer, Manami Okado and Stacey Woodruff.
RVCM
Sugiki Portis Yim Eye Center
See photos by Vina Cristobal and Deborah Dimaya: