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Geriatrics
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When Elaine Flores first entered the JABSOM Dr. Rosita Leong Mini-Medical School on Healthy Aging in 2014, she became one of the beneficiaries of the program’s wealth of healthy aging tips, ranging from physical wellness to basic knowledge of the human body.
After each session, she shared what she learned with her husband, Eddie, who is the founder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
“She gave me all the tips, so that’s why I’m so healthy,” he said with a laugh.
Virginia Hinshaw, Chancellor Emeritus of UH Mānoa and founding director of the Mini-Medical School, along with Dr. Rosita Leong, invited the Flores family to attend the program, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the fall of 2023.
As a result of the impact that the Mini-Medical School has made, the Flores family donated $100,000 to establish an endowment to support the program in hopes to provide more resources for Mini-Med staff and future participants.
“It’s so important to [maintain] healthy aging, particularly here in Hawaiʻi,” said Dr. Kamal Masaki, current director of the Mini-Medical School and chair of the Department of Geriatric Medicine. “We have the longest life expectancy in the country. So we want to make sure that we build up enough resources to allow the Mini-Medical School to go on in perpetuity.”
The Flores' hope that their gift can encourage more people to attend and benefit from the program as they did.
"Elaine and I are very honored to make this donation." Eddie said, "I'm a proud graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi, and my wife, as a life-long learner, has found so much value from the Mini-Medical School. The program is a tremendous asset to the community and we are proud to support it."
After retiring from the L&L business, Eddie and Elaine now enjoy traveling, spending time together, volunteering in the community, and socializing with friends. Eddie continues to work, and they both have embraced their roles as grandparents. They have lots of life to live and understand the importance of staying healthy.
"I'm Filipino-Chinese, and we're still underrepresented in many ways," Eddie said. "Programs like the Mini-Med School, which focuses on kupuna health, are important for reaching more people. We want everyone in Hawaiʻi to have the opportunity to learn how to maintain good health and increase their longevity."
Every year, there are two sessions - a Spring session over 5 Saturday mornings in February-March, and a Fall session in September-October, with the same topics and speakers for a new audience. The Mini-Medical School begins its hybrid Fall semester on September 28.
View the full gallery from the generous donation here.
