MD Residents
The Freeman Foundation was established in 1993 through the bequest and in memory of businessman and benefactor Mansfield Freeman, who worked for the company that would later be known as the American International Group (AIG).
While Mansfield Freeman was from Vermont, he spent many years in China. He wanted to create a foundation that would facilitate the development of mutual understanding among Americans and East Asians.
In 1993, the Freeman Foundation was created. Keeping in line with Mr. Freeman’s vision, over the last three years, residents and fellows at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine have received very generous donations.
The physician shortage in Hawaiʻi remains a significant issue for our residents, and The Freeman Foundation’s contributions go a long way in keeping doctors in Hawaiʻi.
The Freeman Foundation rewards three committed JABSOM graduates with a one-time $40,000 award to offset qualified educational student loans. Graduate Medical Education plays a big role too as awardees agree to practice medicine in Hawai‘i for two years following residency or fellowship training in exchange for student loan relief.
2023 marked the fourth year that JABSOM graduates have been honored with relief funds. This year’s recipients are Kryslin Nishibun, MD, Kaitlynn Ebisutani, MD, Edy Kalei Gomes, MD.
Kryslin Nishibun, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow
University of Hawai‘i, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Dr. Kryslin Nishibun was born and raised in Hawai‘i and graduated from JABSOM in 2019. She completed her general psychiatry residency at UH and fast-tracked into the UH child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship where she has been able to capitalize on her roots and build meaningful connections with her patients. In addition to preparing for a career working with both children and adults on her home island of Oahu, Dr. Nishibun has been enjoying her first year of motherhood with her daughter. Finding the capacity to be both a physician and a mother is no joke, but being surrounded by family and a community of other doctor moms (and dads) has made this transition more enjoyable. Dr. Nishibun hopes to inspire future generations of physicians to join in caring for the people of Hawai‘i.
Kaitlynn M. Ebisutani, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident
University of Hawai‘i, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Dr. Ebisutani was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, attended high school at Saint Andrew's Priory, and then completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. She returned to Hawai‘i to attend medical school at the John A. Burns School of Medicine and is currently in the process of completing her fourth year in the University of Hawai’i Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program. She is grateful for the patients in the community of Hawai‘i who have trusted her with their care which has provided her with the experiences needed to succeed as a young medical professional. Without her patients and the supportive faculty, this would not have been possible. She is excited about the next steps in her career and is overjoyed and thankful to be able to finally give back to the community of Hawai‘i which has given so much to us all as medical professionals.
Edy Kalei Gomes, MD
Family Medicine Resident
University of Hawai‘i, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Dr. Edy Kaleimomi Gomes was born and raised in Maunawili, O‘ahu. She is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received her B.A. in Hawaiian Language from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Through working with Native Hawaiian physicians, she developed a strong interest in primary care. She attended both the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. She is currently completing her final year as a Family Medicine resident at the University of Hawaiʻi Family Medicine Residency Program. Her long-term goals are to incorporate Hawaiian language and culture into her work in underserved rural Native Hawaiian communities. As a family medicine physician, she will care for all members of the ʻohana, from keiki to kūpuna. ʻIke aku, ʻike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai, pēlā iho la ka nohona ʻohana – recognize and be recognized, help and be helped, such is family life.
