Bolstering the educational leadership positions that he’s held at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, JABSOM and HPH are proud to announce Dr. Russell Woo as the first Associate Dean for Clinical Programs (at Hawaiʻi Pacific Health) at the state’s only medical school. In addition, Dr. Woo becomes the chief academic officer for the HPH Medical Group (HPHMG).
For years, Dr. Woo has made a tremendous impact at JABSOM as a Professor and the Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Surgery. He’s also helped students’ research reach international audiences and build a stronger infrastructure as JABSOM’s Director of Medical Student Research.
At the same time, Woo has been a prominent leader at HPH, serving as the JABSOM Surgery Department’s Director of Surgical Education at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children, overseeing academic activities including clinical care delivery, medical education, and research, and being a key leader in HPH’s surgical quality programs, including the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Program.
This new role allows him to advance the shared vision for academics, including research, at both places. At JABSOM, Dr. Woo will assist the Dean and work closely with JABSOM’s educational leaders and Department Chairs to synergize JABSOM academic programs and infrastructure within the many HPH clinical learning environments. Dr. Woo will serve as a key liaison between the University and HPH as he supports and coordinates the research and quality improvement activities of the Faculty Providers and learners at HPH and the medical school.
“Dr. Woo has supported JABSOM’s academic and clinical activities as a faculty member within our Department of Surgery since 2009 and has held multiple service and leadership positions in the department and the medical school,” said Interim Dean Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, MD. “In addition to his JABSOM positions, maintaining his surgical and research career with HPH uniquely qualifies him for this joint position, and we look forward to building on the strides he’s already made.”
Collaborating with multiple units and faculty members across the medical school and health systems, Dr. Woo will also serve in a similar capacity for Hawaiʻi Pacific Health in support of its CEO, Dr. Leslie Chun.
“Dr. Woo is an inspiring leader, both as a nationally recognized pediatric surgeon at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children and through his years of clinical education and research with Hawai‘i Pacific Health and JABSOM,” said Dr. Chun. “His passion for advancing the field of medicine and training the next generation of physicians makes him a perfect fit for this new role.”
“Since starting at JABSOM in 2009, it’s been an honor to play a role in training some of the best and brightest doctors in Hawaiʻi. I take great joy in seeing them grow their clinical skills and make remarkable advances in research,” Dr. Woo said. “Combining my experience at JABSOM and HPH into this new role is exciting, and I hope to continue to advance the goals of both prestigious institutions.”