Waikiki Health Center

Now in its 52nd year, Waikiki Health is Hawaii’s oldest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and is recognized as serving the highest-risk populations among all Hawaii FQHC. The health center is Hawaii’s only recipient of Federal Ryan White funding for HIV/Early Intervention Services; and 330(h) Homeless Outreach funding, targeting patients experiencing homelessness, often with a dual diagnosis of mental health and substance use challenges. The mission of Waikiki Health is to provide quality medical and social services that are accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Waikiki Health is headed by a dedicated all-volunteer Board of Directors and dynamic, innovative and effective leadership team. From 2008 to 2017, Waikiki Health’s patient population increased from 5,480 to 10,255 individuals; four service sites were added (two clinics, a homeless shelter, and care coordination annex) along with pharmacies established at our two largest clinics, and a new location for our administrative departments; staff increased from 65 to 180; and Waikiki Health’s budget grew from $4 million in 2008 to $18.1 million in 2017 ($19.7 million in 2018).

Primary Care for all ages is Waikiki Health’s core service. We provide primary and preventive medical care, including treatment for chronic and acute conditions; integrated behavioral health, including individual and group sessions and depression screening; comprehensive HIV primary and specialty medical services (including case management, peer support groups, pharmacy support, team care); Hepatitis B services; optometry; minor surgery; ob/gyn; breast health services; preventive and emergent dental care; pharmacy services; family planning; physical exams; immunizations; translation services; and more. Native Hawaiian Healing modalities are integrated into our primary care service mix, offering a point of entry for those who may not be comfortable with western medicine.

Auxiliary services include medical nutrition therapy, tobacco treatment, nurse care coordination, behavioral health care coordination, health education, physical fitness training, case management, insurance eligibility for Medicaid and other health plans; and transportation; A new collaboration with Medical-Legal Partnership Hawaii assists our patients in obtaining legal documents and IDs, and offers free legal help with issues such as Public Benefits, Housing, Family Law and Civil Rights/Discrimination. Waikiki Health participates in community-based research projects with a focus on social determinants of health, disparate risk populations such as COFA migrants, and health behaviors.

Waikiki Health’s service sites include the Ohua Clinic and Education & Counseling Services annex in Waikiki; Makahiki Medical & Dental Clinic in McCully-Moiliili; PATH Clinic in Kaimuki (ob/gyn, prenatal education, and other services targeting pregnant and parenting women with addiction challenges; however, all women are welcome); Next Step Shelter in Kaka`ako (emergency shelter, meals, housing assistance, and job training options for homeless adults); and Youth Outreach (YO!) in Waikiki (health care, family planning, educational and job training programs to assist and empower homeless youth age 22 and younger).

Community outreach programs include: Friendly Neighbors (offering companionship, housecleaning, errands and other support services for Waikiki seniors); HEIS (HIV Early Intervention services), providing HIV testing, education and case management at partner agencies’ substance abuse treatment facilities; Care-A-Van Program (mobile medical and behavioral health outreach services utilizing medically-equipped vans and our Mobile Medical Unit housing a private exam room); and Pu`uhonua, a community re-entry program for incarcerated men and women offering services pre- and-post release, focusing on documents, benefits, enrollment in health insurance plans, and housing, to help reduce recidivism­.

Waikiki Health has an ongoing Quality Improvement/Assurance Program (QI/AS) that provides for (1) A Clinical Director whose focus of responsibility is to support the organization’s QI/AS Program and the provision of high quality care; and (2) Periodic Assessment of the appropriateness of the utilization of services and the quality of services provided to our patients.

 

 

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