Best Medical Schools in Hawaii

Hawaii, known for its diverse population and unique healthcare needs due to its geographic isolation, plays a significant role in training future medical professionals who are prepared to address both local and global health issues. Hawaii’s medical education system reflects the state’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare, with an emphasis on serving underserved populations, rural health, and cultural sensitivity. The best medical schools in Hawaii offer comprehensive education and clinical training, research opportunities, and innovative healthcare approaches.

University of Hawaii at Mānoa – John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)

Overview of John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)

The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is Hawaii’s premier medical school and the only fully accredited M.D.-granting institution in the state. Established in 1965, JABSOM is named after John A. Burns, Hawaii’s second governor, who advocated for accessible healthcare and higher education for the people of Hawaii. JABSOM’s mission is to improve the health of the people of Hawaii and the Pacific region by training competent, culturally sensitive, and compassionate physicians. The school emphasizes community-based education, healthcare innovation, and research that addresses the health disparities experienced by Hawaii’s diverse populations.

Key Features of JABSOM

Comprehensive M.D. Program

• Four-Year M.D. Curriculum: JABSOM offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program designed to integrate basic sciences with clinical training, while also focusing on health disparities, rural health, and cultural competency. The curriculum is divided into three phases:
  • Foundational Sciences: During the first two years, students focus on the basic medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology.
  • Clinical Training: Clinical rotations begin in the third year, with students working in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers across Hawaii. Clinical rotations cover core specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and family medicine.
  • Capstone Experience: In the final year, students complete advanced clinical rotations and participate in a capstone project that focuses on research or community health initiatives.
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL): JABSOM is known for its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum, which encourages active learning, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. PBL allows students to work in small groups to analyze clinical cases, develop diagnostic and treatment strategies, and integrate basic science knowledge with clinical practice.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Local Health Issues: The school’s curriculum incorporates cultural competency training, with a focus on understanding the unique healthcare needs of Hawaii’s multi-ethnic populations, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans. This focus is particularly important in addressing health disparities related to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, which disproportionately affect these populations.

Clinical Training and Community-Based Education

• Community-Based Clinical Training: One of JABSOM’s key strengths is its community-based clinical training model. Students complete their clinical rotations in various community health centers, hospitals, and rural clinics across the islands, giving them exposure to a wide range of patients and healthcare settings. This approach prepares students to serve the diverse communities of Hawaii and the Pacific region.
• Partnerships with Local Hospitals: JABSOM has strong affiliations with major hospitals in Hawaii, including The Queen’s Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Straub Clinic and Hospital, and Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children. These partnerships provide students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on clinical experience in both urban and rural healthcare settings.
• Rural Health Focus: Given Hawaii’s geographic isolation and rural areas, JABSOM places a strong emphasis on rural healthcare. Students have the opportunity to complete rotations on neighbor islands (such as Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island) and work in underserved areas where access to medical care is limited. These experiences help future physicians understand the unique challenges faced by patients in remote locations and prepare them to address healthcare disparities.

Research and Innovation

• Cutting-Edge Research Programs: JABSOM is a leader in biomedical research, particularly in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, tropical medicine, neuroscience, and health disparities. The school encourages students to engage in research that addresses the specific healthcare needs of Hawaii’s populations. JABSOM’s research initiatives are supported by federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other organizations.
• Hawaii Center for AIDS: JABSOM is home to the Hawaii Center for AIDS, which conducts research on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education. Students have the opportunity to work alongside faculty on clinical trials and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS in Hawaii and the Pacific.
• Cancer Research Center of Hawaii: JABSOM partners with the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the country. The center conducts cutting-edge cancer research, with a focus on cancers that disproportionately affect populations in Hawaii and the Pacific, such as liver, lung, and stomach cancers.

Global Health and Pacific Islander Health

• Focus on Global and Pacific Health: JABSOM places a strong emphasis on global health, particularly in the Pacific region. The school has developed partnerships with medical institutions in countries across the Pacific, allowing students to participate in international clinical rotations, public health initiatives, and research projects in countries such as Samoa, Fiji, and Palau.
• Native Hawaiian Health Programs: JABSOM is committed to improving the health of Native Hawaiians through research, education, and community engagement. The school offers programs specifically focused on addressing health disparities affecting Native Hawaiians, such as diabetes, heart disease, and substance abuse. The Department of Native Hawaiian Health plays a pivotal role in these initiatives, providing students with a deep understanding of the social, economic, and cultural factors that influence health outcomes for Native Hawaiians.

Admissions and Application Process

Admissions to JABSOM are competitive, with a focus on selecting students who are not only academically capable but also dedicated to serving the diverse and underserved populations of Hawaii and the Pacific. Key admissions criteria include:

• MCAT Scores and GPA: The average MCAT score for admitted students typically falls between 510 and 515, with an average GPA of around 3.7. JABSOM looks for applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence in science coursework.
• Commitment to Service and Healthcare: The admissions committee looks for applicants who have a strong commitment to serving underserved populations, particularly in Hawaii and the Pacific region. Volunteer work, clinical shadowing, and experience working in community health settings are highly valued.
• Cultural Competency and Awareness: JABSOM values applicants who demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the unique healthcare challenges faced by Hawaii’s diverse populations. Personal statements and interviews often emphasize an applicant’s experiences working with diverse communities and their interest in addressing health disparities.
• Interview Process: Selected applicants are invited to participate in multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), where they are evaluated on their communication skills, ethical decision-making, cultural awareness, and problem-solving abilities.

University of Hawaii at Mānoa – Graduate Programs in Health Sciences

Overview of Graduate Health Programs

In addition to the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa offers several graduate programs in health sciences through its School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene and Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. These programs play an important role in preparing healthcare professionals in fields such as nursing, public health, social work, and dental hygiene, all of which are critical to the healthcare infrastructure of Hawaii.

Key Features of Graduate Health Programs

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): The School of Nursing offers a traditional BSN program that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs). The program includes clinical rotations in hospitals, community clinics, and long-term care facilities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): For students interested in advanced practice roles, the MSN program offers concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and Advanced Public Health Nursing. Graduates are equipped to work in leadership roles in clinical practice, healthcare management, and education.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): The DNP program prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice and leadership in healthcare systems. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and systems leadership, with a focus on improving health outcomes for Hawaii’s diverse populations.
• Dental Hygiene Program: The school also offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, which prepares students to work as dental hygienists in a variety of settings. The program includes courses on oral health, preventive care, and patient education, with a focus on addressing the oral health disparities faced by Hawaii’s underserved communities.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

• Master of Public Health (MPH): The MPH program at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa prepares students for careers in public health, with a focus on improving health outcomes for Hawaii’s populations. The program offers concentrations in epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral health sciences, and Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health.
• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH): The DrPH program trains public health professionals for leadership positions in health departments, non-profit organizations, and international health agencies. The program emphasizes leadership, policy development, and research skills, with a focus on addressing health disparities in Hawaii and the Pacific region.
• Master of Social Work (MSW): The MSW program prepares students for careers in clinical social work, healthcare social work, and public health. The program emphasizes culturally competent care and social justice, with a particular focus on serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations.

Admissions and Application Process

Graduate health programs at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa have their own specific admissions criteria, but common elements include:

• Academic Requirements: Applicants must meet the prerequisite coursework and GPA requirements for their chosen program. Strong academic performance in science and public health-related courses is typically required.
• Professional Experience: Relevant professional or volunteer experience in healthcare, public health, social work, or dental hygiene is highly valued. Many programs require applicants to have work experience in a healthcare setting prior to applying.
• Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation: Applicants are typically required to submit a personal statement that outlines their career goals, commitment to healthcare, and interest in serving Hawaii’s diverse populations. Letters of recommendation from academic or professional mentors are also an important part of the application process.

Hawaii Residency and Fellowship Programs

Overview of Residency and Fellowship Opportunities

For medical students who graduate from JABSOM or other medical schools, Hawaii offers several residency and fellowship programs that provide advanced training in various medical specialties. These programs are typically affiliated with local hospitals and healthcare systems, such as The Queen’s Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Hawaii Pacific Health.

Key Residency Programs in Hawaii

The Queen’s Medical Center – Residency Programs

• Internal Medicine Residency: The Queen’s Medical Center offers a highly regarded internal medicine residency program, which provides residents with comprehensive training in internal medicine, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and patient-centered care.
• Surgical Residency: Queen’s also offers a surgical residency program that provides residents with hands-on experience in general surgery, trauma surgery, and subspecialties such as vascular surgery and colorectal surgery.
• Psychiatry Residency: The Queen’s Medical Center is home to a psychiatry residency program that trains physicians to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, with a focus on serving Hawaii’s diverse populations and addressing the mental health disparities experienced by Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii – Residency Programs

• Family Medicine Residency: Kaiser Permanente Hawaii offers a family medicine residency program that trains residents to provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages. The program emphasizes preventive care, chronic disease management, and culturally competent care.
• Pediatrics Residency: Kaiser’s pediatrics residency program provides residents with training in pediatric primary care, pediatric subspecialties, and pediatric hospital medicine.

Fellowship Programs in Hawaii

• Cardiology Fellowship: The Queen’s Medical Center offers a cardiology fellowship program that provides advanced training in cardiovascular disease, with an emphasis on invasive and non-invasive procedures, as well as heart failure and electrophysiology.
• Geriatric Medicine Fellowship: JABSOM offers a geriatric medicine fellowship program that trains physicians to care for Hawaii’s aging population, with a focus on the unique needs of elderly patients in rural and underserved areas.

Admissions and Application Process

Residency and fellowship programs in Hawaii typically participate in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Admission to these programs is competitive, and candidates are selected based on:

• Medical School Performance: Strong academic performance in medical school, particularly in clinical rotations, is essential for residency and fellowship applicants.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from faculty members or mentors who can attest to their clinical skills, professionalism, and commitment to patient care.
• Personal Statement: A compelling personal statement that reflects the applicant’s career goals, interest in the specialty, and commitment to serving Hawaii’s diverse populations is an important part of the application process.
• Interviews: Selected applicants are invited for interviews, where they are assessed on their communication skills, cultural competency, and fit for the program.