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Benjamin Lee is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine, aspiring to become a trauma surgeon in Hawaiʻi.
“As an ʻImi Hoʻōla graduate, I want to pay it forward to future medical students and ʻImi students as well,” Lee states.
After several attempts to apply to medical school, Lee realized his dreams after completing the ‘Imi Ho’ōla Program, which helps disadvantaged students from all backgrounds pursue a career in medicine. This program was founded by Dr. Benjamin Young in 1973.
Upon completing the program, Lee received a full-tuition scholarship from The Queen’s Health System. He acknowledges that scholarships significantly eased his journey toward fulfilling his dreams.
“I’m a single dad to two kids, which adds an extra layer of responsibility,” Lee explained. “The scholarships allow me to concentrate on my studies, engage in extracurricular activities, and conduct research. These are all things I wanted to pursue in medical school while also being present for my kids. It’s been a tremendous gift.”
Lee, along with dozens of JABSOM students, had the opportunity to thank the donors who funded their medical school journeys during the annual Scholarship Dinner.
“It’s great to update them on my progress, career interests, and future plans,” Lee said. “I aim to complete my General Surgery residency and then pursue a fellowship before returning to Hawaiʻi to work as a trauma surgeon.”
The evening is special for both scholarship recipients and donors, as it allows donors to meet their recipients, hear about their unique stories and see the impact of their contributions.
“I love asking them about their plans and where they intend to match,” Dr. Benjamin Young mentioned. “The saying from King David Kalakaua comes to mind: ‘Hoʻoulu Lāhui,’ which means ‘Perpetuate the Nation.’ That truly resonates, as our medical students are helping to sustain the lives of all the people in Hawaiʻi. It brings me joy to know that, as donors, we are making a small contribution to this mission.”
Scholarships are crucial in keeping medical school affordable, which helps address the physician shortage. JABSOM believes that minimizing the financial burden on students increases the likelihood of them establishing a life in Hawaiʻi rather than relocating to the continent where living costs are lower. JABSOM is proud of its scholarship success, with 93 percent of medical students receiving some form of grant or scholarship support. In 2024, $6.5 million in scholarships was awarded, 58 percent more than five years ago. The positive impacts of JABSOM’s focus on scholarships continue to be evident, as the number of students taking out loans has decreased by 22 percent over the past five years. While the average cumulative debt for JABSOM students remains in the six figures at $149,290, it represents a 14 percent decrease from the previous year.
“Our donors are just one part of the community that has supported us in getting to medical school and succeeding while we are here and beyond,” said Ed Biala, another fourth-year JABSOM student. “That’s what makes JABSOM unique; there is no other place I would rather attend medical school than here.”