Giving
Dear JABSOM ʻOhana,
When I graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine in 1986, my senior quote was, 'Thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of the state of Hawaiʻi.' It is my honor to realize that dream as I return as your new Dean.
Having served JABSOM as Vice Dean (2002-2005) and Interim Dean (2005-2006), I am deeply connected to this institution. My time away as Dean of the University of Texas Medical Branch (Austin) and Dean and Vice President at Texas A&M Health Sciences Center have equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to lead JABSOM into this exciting new chapter.
My vision for JABSOM is both ambitious and inspiring. I aim to establish JABSOM as the leading medical school in the Asia-Pacific region and the foremost indigenous-serving medical school globally. Leveraging our unique mid-Pacific location, we will enhance research, business, and healthcare connections with Asia and the Continental U.S.
JABSOM is here to serve Hawai'i, and addressing the physician shortage is paramount. My goal is to increase class sizes and expand residency programs. It's not good enough to ensure we have an adequate number of physicians to serve our state; JABSOM aims to ensure that the entire, diverse population of the state is cared for. That's why we will continue to focus on health disparities. Our research will continue to be hyperlocal, focusing on the issues that impact our population and determining why some diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, impact specific ethnicities more than others. Finally, we will continue to be an economic driver for the state. Our school, residency programs, and affiliated faculty physician practice plans support 3,485 jobs in the state, and we aim to grow the workforce by building up our research programs while continuing to secure grants.
As you can see, now more than ever, we have a lot of work to do, and we are counting on YOU to make this vision a reality.
I want to introduce you to the JABSOM Fund. This all-encompassing, dynamic fund will allow you to support JABSOM in the broadest way possible.
I understand that the JABSOM Fund represents a slight change in our approach. We have hundreds of funds that enable you to direct your support to the programs that you are most connected to. This will not change. We appreciate your past support and thank you for your generosity if you wish to continue to support in that way.
The JABSOM Fund allows us to direct your donation to the areas of the school that need them the most. For example, your donation to the JABSOM Fund can be designated for student support as we strive to increase class sizes, research health disparities, or add more faculty as we continue to grow the state's workforce.
Simply put, your contribution to the JABSOM Fund will enable us to dynamically allocate resources to missions, programs, and areas that require your assistance at that given time.
Please join us in supporting JABSOM's mission by supporting the JABSOM Fund. Your contributions will help us realize this vision of fostering a healthier future for Hawaiʻi. Together, we can elevate JABSOM to new heights, benefiting our community and beyond.
Mahalo nui loa,
Sam Shomaker, M.D., J.D., MSM
Dean, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Barry and Virginia Weinman Endowed Chair
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa