ʻImi Hoʻōla

A major concern of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is to make medical careers possible for members of disadvantaged groups for whom such careers may seem unattainable. ʻImi Hoʻōla (Hawaiian for “those who seek to heal”) has played a major role in accomplishing JABSOM’s mission to improve health care in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Basin by increasing the number of physicians through a 12-month educational program that addresses disadvantaged* students’ academic and social-emotional needs. ʻImi Hoʻōla’s goal is to support diversity of the physician workforce and produce physicians who demonstrate a strong commitment to practice in underserved communities in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (e.g. American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau).

ʻImi Hoʻōla is a program located within the Department of Native Hawaiian Health designed to provide educational opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are deemed capable of succeeding in medical school. Each school year, up to 12 students from economic, social, and/or educational disadvantaged backgrounds are selected to participate in this program. Applicants to the ʻImi Hoʻōla program have diverse backgrounds and are motivated to overcome challenges that have prevented them from achieving their academic potential.

The ʻImi Hoʻōla curriculum emphasizes the integration of concepts and principles in the sciences and humanities and enhances students’ communication and critical-thinking skills.  Upon successful completion of the program, they will matriculate into the JABSOM MD program as first-year medical students.  For frequently asked questions about the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post-Baccalaureate Program, click here.

Graduates of the Program who matriculate into JABSOM are expected to fulfill the essential functions of the academic programs required for graduation as listed in the JABSOM Policy on Essential Functions Required for the MD Program for Admissions, Continuation, and Graduation and Disability Accommodation. Click here for the JABSOM Essential Functions Policy listed under Students/JABSOM MD Program Policies.

ʻImi Hoʻōla has expanded its outreach efforts and developed partnerships with local high schools, colleges, and community-based health organizations. These partnerships help to create an educational pathway for disadvantaged students to enter and graduate from college and pursue medicine and allied health careers.

Learn more about the ʻImi Hoʻōla Program and the educational opportunities in medicine provided to students from diverse backgrounds that have a commitment to serve in areas of need in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.