STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1037

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 161, 162, 163, 164, 165

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 161, 162, 163, 164, and 165, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee

G.M. No. 161

DIANE M. IRONS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 162

STUART DAVID LERNER, M.D.,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 163

IAN T. SANTEE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 164

WILLIAM T. WATKINS JR.,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008; and

G.M. No. 165

MILLICENT WELLINGTON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2007,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of DIANE M. IRONS from the Department of Health and three individuals. Ms. Irons is presently the executive director of the Lanai Youth Center. In this capacity she has experience with budget administration, managing contracts, and fiscal reporting. Prior to this, Ms. Irons was responsible for opening two retail stores that involved procurement of product, merchandising, and store layout. She also has experience managing the disposition of distressed inventory and supervising employees. According to Ms. Irons, she has personal experience involving the medical transport of a family member and is aware of the issues facing the provision of emergency medical services in her community. Your Committee finds that Ms. Irons provides a consumer perspective and possesses the experience and commitment necessary to serve on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of STUART DAVID LERNER, M.D. from the Department of Health. Dr. Lerner received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine, and completed a family practice residency at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, New York. He has been an emergency medical physician in Hawaii for fourteen years. Dr. Lerner is presently an emergency physician at St. Francis Medical Center. Prior to that, he served as an emergency physician at Castle Medical Center. According to Dr. Lerner, he has had a good working relationship with the emergency medical staff at both the state and local levels. Dr. Lerner received an advanced certification in EKG interpretation from the American College of Cardiology in 2001, and was awarded "Resident of the Year" for his academic achievement, teaching, and leadership in 1989. Your Committee finds that Dr. Lerner possesses the knowledge and desire necessary to serve on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of IAN T. SANTEE from the Department of Health, the Director of Operations of American Medical Response, and one individual. Mr. Santee was born and raised in Hawaii. He received an associate of science degree in mobile intensive care technician from Kapiolani Community College. He also received a BA degree in sociology and an MA degree in public administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Santee is a national and state certified paramedic. He is presently employed with the City and County of Honolulu as a mobile intensive care technician. Prior to that he worked as an emergency medical technician and emergency medical dispatcher. Mr. Santee is an emergency medical technician basic instructor, professional first responder instructor, and CPR/First aid instructor with Kapiolani Community College's Emergency Medical Services Program. He also teaches Heartsaver FACTS/AED for the American Heart Association and is the primary instructor responsible for the medical training of the beach lifeguards on Oahu. Your Committee finds that Mr. Santee's field experience in and dedication to emergency medical services will bring a needed prospective to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of WILLIAM T. WATKINS, JR. from the Department of Health, the facilitator of the Maui County Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, the Director of Operations of American Medical Response, and the Maui County American Medical Response Operations Manager. Mr. Watkins has been involved in emergency medical services in Hawaii since 1981. For the past seventeen years, Mr. Watkins worked as an emergency medical technician/paramedic in Maui County and received the AAA Star of Life Award and recognition for Team Leader April 2003. Mr. Watkins is currently a Level II Helicopter Emergency Medical Services provider and Quality Improvement Coordinator for American Medical Response in Maui County. He took the lead in the implementation and staffing of the Maui emergency medical helicopter service. Mr. Watkins previously served as chairperson and secretary of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee under the Board of Medical Examiners. In that capacity he was instrumental in drafting administrative rules for emergency medical services licensing and legislation. He has also held the offices of vice president, treasurer, and executive assistant in the Maui County Paramedics Association.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of MILLICENT WELLINGTON from the Department of Health, the Mayor of Kauai County, and three individuals. Ms. Wellington received a BA degree in education from the University of Puget Sound. She taught for twenty-six years, primarily at Koloa School, where she helped develop the gifted and talented program, as well as Kalaheo School. Ms. Wellington served for four years as Kauai County Public Information Officer. She has years of public service experience having served on numerous boards and committees over the years. Ms. Wellington presently serves on the Young Brothers Advisory Board, Ambassadors of Aloha Board, and the Hawaii Community Foundation Kauai Leadership Council. In past years she served as Kauai Historical Society Trustee, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Island School and the Hawaii Public Broadcasting Authority Board. Ms. Wellington was a member of the board that created the Kauai International Film Festival and assisted with the creation of The Ambassadors of Aloha, a program that honors talented young people of Kauai. As the Department of Health noted, her experience in public relations and marketing will be instrumental in educating communities about emergency medical services and illness and injury prevention.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair