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After 20 years at JABSOM, Dr. Ralph Shohet is retiring, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the school’s cardiovascular research, training, and clinical landscape.
Dr. Shohet joined JABSOM in December 2005, drawn by the opportunity to help build up the medical school’s cardiovascular research.
"I moved here mid-career from the University of Texas Southwestern because of the opportunity to help build a basic science effort. At the time JABSOM was moving forward to enhance its academic capacity and reputation at the new Kakaako campus. I also fell in love with the natural beauty of Hawaii and the adventure of pursuing molecular biology in a tropical paradise."
Over the years, Shohet played a central role in the expansion of the Center for Cardiovascular Research (CCR), and he was the critical element in rebuilding and renewing the cardiovascular COBRE grant, which he remembers was not an easy task.
“Fortunately I had the help of a former colleague from the University of Texas,” Shohet recalls. “Don Capra, by then in Oklahoma, helped to initiate the COBRE Program with his senators, and he became my mentor for redeveloping the COBRE here. His clear-headed insights and guidance helped us obtain the renewal and JABSOM and I are forever in his debt.”
With the strong efforts of a group of young, dynamic investigators, the renewed grant served as the foundation for a sustainable, nationally competitive cardiovascular basic science program at JABSOM. The COBRE grant and other NIH funding, as well as endowment support from the NIH and the Kosasa family, helped us to hire three key investigators, Drs Boisvert, Matsui, and Tallquist, who now all have important leadership roles at the school.
Under Shohet’s leadership, the CCR supported infrastructure development, initiated an NIH T32 Training Grant, and fostered a collaborative research environment that continues to this day. Dr. Michelle Tallquist now runs the T32, and Shohet commended her diligence in keeping it a success.
“That grant has supported about 20 or 25 trainees,” Shohet said. “More than half of them have obtained independent funding, and that has been a lot of fun. I always get a kick out of walking by our "Wall of Independence", which features each of these 15 funded pre-doc and postdoc grant recipients.”
Shohet also helped advance cardiovascular training in Hawaiʻi through his involvement in developing the cardiology fellowship program. What once seemed unlikely ultimately became a pipeline for training cardiologists, half of whom have remained in Hawaii. They now care for patients across the state, strengthening Hawaiʻi’s physician workforce and improving access to specialized care.
“ I honestly thought that it would never happen,” Shohet admits. “Dr. Rob Hong worked with amazing energy to create and manage our new fellowship in its early years, and we all owe him gratitude for the many cardiologists in our state who came through the fellowship.”
Throughout his career, Shohet emphasized mentorship and teamwork. From recruiting faculty and supporting postdoctoral fellows to celebrating trainee success, he took pride in helping young scientists secure independent funding and establish their own careers. At his retirement celebration, he spoke of the joy he found in collaboration and in watching others succeed, and he credited colleagues, staff, and administrators for the center’s accomplishments.
"I came here to help lead basic science at a medical school that was setting off in a new direction, and to advance my own career. I think that we have done a pretty good job. But, somewhat to my surprise, my greatest pleasure has been in working with the trainees, and I expect that their continued success will be my most important contribution."
“As Dr. Shohet steps into retirement, he leaves us with a stronger research foundation and a thriving cardiovascular program,” Dean Sam Shomaker, MD, JD, said. “His contributions will continue to influence the school, its trainees, and the patients we serve for years to come.”
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