A New Day for Maui Memorial Medical Center

MMMC Foundation purchased… infant warmers for newborn babies… ultrasound machines for the ICU… and much more.
Photo courtesy: Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation

July 1 will usher in a new day in healthcare for our Maui community. Maui Memorial Medical Center will be transitioning from State management to a new nonprofit organization—Maui Health System, a subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente. Our hospital will continue to serve everyone just as it always has—no matter your health condition, insurance provider, if you are a resident or visitor, or even your ability to pay. No one is ever turned away.

The newly formed Maui Health System will manage day-to-day operations at our hospital and will bring much-needed stability and resources. Maui Health System’s number one priority is the care and safety of all patients and they have pledged to do everything possible to improve and expand services on Maui. Maui Health System is actively hiring physicians, registered nurses, nurse’s aides, and administrative positions.

Creating and maintaining a state-of-the-art hospital open and available for all of us here on Maui, requires a partnership trio—the State, Maui Health System and you.
Photo courtesy: Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation

Governor David Ige has predicted the transfer of hospital services will save the State $260 million in hospital subsidies over the next decade. In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers approved State funding to include:

  • $36.4 million in general funds in FY18 for working capital and operating subsidies for Maui Health System.
  • $6 million in Capital Improvement Project funds in FY18 for Maui Health System facilities repairs, renovations and upgrades.
Maui Memorial Medical Center will be transitioning from State management to a new nonprofit organization—Maui Health System, a subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente.
Photo courtesy: Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation

In addition, even before officially assuming operations on July 1, Kaiser has already invested tens of millions of dollars in new equipment, systems and staff training. However, the needs of our hospital are great—greater than any one organization can provide for alone. This is why a partnership was necessary to ensure that all of us on Maui receive the best quality care possible. Just capital needs alone (facility maintenance, repairs and upgrades) are estimated at $200 million. Solving the puzzle of improving healthcare on Maui requires a partnership trio—a partnership between the State, Maui Health System, and you—our community. You are the third piece of the puzzle.

So what exactly will happen on July 1? Dozens of teams and command centers will be set up within the hospital to ensure a seamless transition. The goal of all of this behind the scenes activity and planning is to minimize any disruptions to patient care. All of our incredible MMMC staff have been working hard during this time. An entirely new electronic medical records system, new processes and procedures, training and classes—our staff have been juggling these things along with their regular workloads and staffing challenges.

This is the largest privatization ever to happen in the State of Hawai‘i. Change will take time, and many things will not happen overnight. But the success of Maui’s only hospital needs you. Your donation can help us accelerate improvement. You can help us expand services so that you and your loved ones can stay on Maui for treatment, and not have to travel to O‘ahu. A partnership between the State, Maui Health System and you is the prescription for success for our hospital.

As an exciting future stretches out ahead of us, together we can accomplish even more. The Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of care at our hospital for you, your family, your friends and neighbors.

Together we can help provide life-saving equipment, services and staff

Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation funds training and continuing education for clinical staff, sponsors community outreach programs, and purchases life-saving equipment for our hospital. Recently, the MMMC Foundation purchased a state-of-the-art surgical neuro-navigation system for the Operating Room, infant warmers for newborn babies, wireless EKG machines for all Maui County ambulances, ultrasound machines for the ICU, orthopedic surgical equipment, and much more.

Together we will assist patients in need of help—patients who are our family, our friends, our neighbors

Our breast cancer screening program funds mammograms and ultrasounds for Maui women who would otherwise not be able to afford these life-saving procedures. Our pediatric dental program helps kids with special needs to receive dental treatment in a hospital setting. We also have specific funds to help patients who are homeless, mentally ill, economically disadvantaged, or have specific diagnoses including angina pectoris, and Type 1 diabetes.

Lisa Varde is a Certified Fundraising Executive and has served as the Executive Director of the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation since 2012.

Together we will make Maui Memorial Medical Center the best it can be

On July 1 Maui Health System will begin working through a long list of priorities—expanding our stroke, cardiovascular, orthopedics and trauma programs. Reducing ER wait times, creating more integrated care for moms and babies, recruiting and filling vacant staff positions, and updating aging facilities. But they can’t do it alone. Creating and maintaining a state-of-the-art hospital open and available for all of us here on Maui, requires a partnership trio—the State, Maui Health System and you. Please join us by making a donation to the MMMC Foundation—the new day is here, the time is now.

To make a gift to the MMMC Foundation, please call us at 242-2630 or make a donation on our website at MauiHospitalFoundation.org. Mahalo!