STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3835

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 648, 649, 650, 651

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 648, 649, 650, and 651, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Center for Nursing Advisory Board

 

G.M. No. 648

GLORIA FERNANDEZ,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 649

ANNE SCHARNHORST,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025;

 

G.M. No. 650

RHOBERTA HALEY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 651

LINDA BEECHINOR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Gloria Fernandez, Anne Scharnhorst, Rhoberta Haley, and Linda Beechinor.

 

GLORIA FERNANDEZ

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gloria Fernandez from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and seven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Fernandez's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve as a member of the Center for Nursing Advisory Board qualify her for appointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a nurse affiliated with a nurse collective bargaining organization, pursuant to section 304A-1404, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Fernandez has served the State in the field of public health nursing for twenty years, and she currently serves as Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Department of Health and as a board certified advanced public health nurse.  Dr. Fernandez holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and her research and professional goals focus on reducing health inequities in Hawaii's communities and expansion of evidence-based practices for public health nurses in the State.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Fernandez currently serves as a board member for the Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services Board of Directors and the Academy of Health and Sciences Advisory Board for the Academy of Health and Sciences within Waipahu High School.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Fernandez has an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and that her experience and knowledge in public health nursing will be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Gloria Fernandez be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and willingness to serve the public.

 

ANNE SCHARNHORST

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Anne Scharnhorst from the University of Hawaii System and Hawaii State Center for Nursing.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Scharnhorst's experience, knowledge, and desire to continue her service to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board qualify her for reappointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a doctorally-prepared nurse educator or researcher, pursuant to section 304A-1404, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Scharnhorst has served as a nursing educator at the University of Hawaii for fifteen years, and she currently serves as a Professor and Department Chair within the Allied Health Department of the University of Hawaii – Maui College.  In her role as a faculty member at the University of Hawaii – Maui College, Dr. Scharnhorst was instrumental in establishing a licensed practicing nurse pathway to meet community health needs.  Dr. Scharnhorst holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and is a registered nurse.  Your Committee additionally finds that Dr. Scharnhorst also serves as a board member of Maui Nurses Scholarship Foundation and as a member of the Academic Council for the State of Hawaii Academic Progression in Nursing and the University of Hawaii – Maui College's Budget Committee and Community Needs and Workforce Development Committee.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Scharnhorst was nominated to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a doctorally-prepared nurse educator in 2017.  Her experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends Anne Scharnhorst be reappointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

RHOBERTA HALEY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Rhoberta Haley from the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Haley's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve the Center for Nursing Advisory Board qualify her for appointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a doctorally-prepared nurse educator or researcher, pursuant to section 304A-1404, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Dr. Haley has served in the field of nursing education for thirty years, and she currently serves as Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Chaminade University.  Dr. Haley holds a Doctorate in Nursing, is a licensed registered nurse, and has extensive experience in nursing education, curriculum development, consulting, and clinical practice experience.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Haley has held key roles in the development and administration of nursing education from undergraduate bachelor's of nursing programs to doctor of nursing practice, educating a generation of nurses across the United States.  Dr. Haley also serves the nursing community as a member of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and has previously served as a member of the Finance Committee of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and as a member of the Nursing Knowledge International Board of Directors for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Haley's experience and knowledge in nursing education will be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends Rhoberta Haley be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

LINDA BEECHINOR

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Linda Beechinor from the University of Hawaii System and Hawaii State Center for Nursing.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Beechinor's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve the Center for Nursing Advisory Board qualify her for appointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as member with a background in finance, pursuant to section 304A-1404, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Dr. Beechinor has served as an advanced practice registered nurse and nursing educator for over forty years.  She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and holds credentials as an advanced practice registered nurse and family nurse practitioner under the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Beechinor led the efforts to re-establish the American Nurses Association chapter in Hawaii.  To re-establish the chapter, Dr. Beechinor was involved with increasing Hawaii nurse membership in the national professional nursing association, developed a board, and facilitated a commitment from Hawaii nurses to subsequently join a Hawaii chapter.  In addition to her role in re-establishing the Hawaii chapter, Dr. Beechinor also served her community during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as a contact tracer for the Department of Health and as a nursing educator through a solo consulting service for foreign-educated nurses who wish to serve in American health care institutions.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Beechinor's experience and knowledge in nursing education will be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends Linda Beechinor be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education 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 Higher Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair