STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3537

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 683, 684, 685, 686

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 683, 684, 685, and 686, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Psychology

 

G.M. No. 683

DON PEDRO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 684

JAMES SPIRA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 685

JILL GRAY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 686

SHERRY SUTHERLAND-CHOY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Don Pedro, James Spira, Jill Gray, and Sherry Sutherland-Choy for service on the Board of Psychology.

 

DON PEDRO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Don Pedro from the Board of Psychology and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Pedro's knowledge, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Psychology as a licensee member.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Pedro has nearly twenty years of experience in psychology and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in Hawaii since 2002.  Dr. Pedro currently serves as the Forensic Section Head - Oahu Branch for the Department of Health's Adult Mental Health Section and works part-time in private practice.  Dr. Pedro also has an extensive teaching background and has been a lecturer at the University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College, and a member of the adjunct faculty at Hawaii Pacific University for over twenty years.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Pedro has served on the Board of Psychology since 2018.  Dr. Pedro's leadership, experience, and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Psychology.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Pedro be reappointed to the Board of Psychology based on his experience, background, and commitment to public service.

 

JAMES SPIRA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of James Spira from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Spira's knowledge, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Psychology as a psychologist member.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Spira has been a clinical psychologist for twenty-five years.  Dr. Spira is currently the Director of Pacific Behavioral Health Ltd.  Your Committee further notes that the Dr. Spira has twenty years of experience with military and veteran behavioral health education, prevention, education, clinical intervention, and research; and his extensive experience will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Psychology.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Spira be appointed to the Board of Psychology based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

JILL GRAY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Jill Gray from the Board of Psychology and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Gray's professional experience, commitment to community service, and proven leadership qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Psychology as a licensee member.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Gray has almost twenty years of experience in psychology and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in Hawaii since 2001.  Dr. Gray currently serves as the Director of Training for I Ola Lāhui, Inc.'s Rural Hawaii Behavioral Health Program.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Gray works primarily in rural, medically underserved areas.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Gray served on the Board of Psychology since 2017, and continues to serve well as a holdover member, since her first term expired on June 30, 2019.  Dr. Gray's leadership, experience, and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Psychology.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Gray be reappointed to the Board of Psychology based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

SHERRY SUTHERLAND-CHOY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Sherry Sutherland-Choy from the Board of Psychology, Waianae Cost Comprehensive Health Center, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Sutherland-Choy's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Psychology as a psychologist member.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Sutherland-Choy is a licensed psychologist in Hawaii since 2015 and is also licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority.  Dr. Sutherland-Choy currently serves as a full-time family nurse practitioner and licensed clinical psychologist at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Sutherland-Choy has also served as the Chair of the Board of Psychology and an adjunct instructor of psychopharmacology at the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University since 2016.  Dr. Sutherland-Choy's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Psychology.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Sutherland-Choy be reappointed to the Board of Psychology based on her background, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair