1st Year Residents - Residents

Why did you choose the University of Hawaii to do your training?

The residents, attendings, and staff here are the nicest. It feels like a big, happy family! We also see so many crazy things here that the residents are able to handle pretty much anything when they graduate.

What’s the best thing about being a resident/fellow at the University of Hawaii?

Again, the people.

How do you like to spend your off-time?

Eating, exercising just enough to justify my eating habits, and sleeping.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawaii?

Everywhere! But currently Waiahole Poi Factory.

Why did you choose the University of Hawaii to do your training?

1. Excellent obstetrics experience – forceps deliveries, rare conditions due to high volume of cases, lots of cases to become comfortable with more complex procedures. I felt that I would be well-prepared for any obstetric situation possible after coming out of this program.
2. Highly diverse patient population – I was excited to continue learning about other cultures and be challenged to integrate medical care and cultural perspectives into patient-centered care.
3. Good balance of service vs education. Despite the high-volume on our L&D floor, hard rotations are followed by easier rotations, so as to prevent burn-out. I feel that there is a lot of learning (usually in procedures) on the fast-paced more difficult rotations, and then lots of time to reflect on experiences and continually expand learning through studying on easier rotations.
4. Day 1 hands-on learning! Within my first week as an intern, I was primary on a cesarean section! You are well supervised by attendings, while also able to get procedural experience from the moment you start residency.

What’s the best thing about being a resident at the University of Hawaii?

The best thing about being a resident at the University of Hawaii is being so close with your co-residents and faculty. I feel that we make strong connections and bond over clinical experiences, and also just having fun as well! Working hard together is so rewarding because we all help each other as a team, and become closer with each other on a daily basis. The faculty are also very supportive, and are always happy to teach. There is a lot of autonomy with patient care, yet you are always well-supervised.

How do you like to spend your off-time?

I love relaxing at the beach, reading recreationally, and getting some sun! Also love cuddling with my cat, Kitty.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawaii?

Honestly, I love cooking, so my favorite place to eat is my own home, but if I had to choose, definitely hot pot at Ichiriki.

Why did you choose the University of Hawaii to do your training?

UH truly has everything I was looking for in a residency program! I am very passionate about women’s health and wanted training that would help me to be proficient in every aspect of it. With its diverse (in every aspect! Age, ethnic makeup, socioeconomic status, pathology, you name it!) patient population, comprehensive curriculum, expansive research opportunities, and, perhaps most importantly, caring and supportive staff and residents, this program has it all! The extra cherry on top is the opportunity to come home, and to serve the community who helped to raise and shape me.

How do you like to spend your off-time?

With people (and pets) that I love! When I have the time, I like being in the ocean, going on hikes, singing/dancing, reading, watching live music/theatre, and trying new restaurants/bars. New quarantine hobbies include writing, ukulele, cooking very elaborate things, and meditation 🙂

What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawaii?

Ahi Assassins/Tamura’s for poke, Storto’s Haleiwa for sandwiches, Hale Vietnam for pho, Siam Palace for Thai, Doraku/Mitch’s for Japanese, Happy Days for dim sum, and my mom’s kitchen for all things Korean. This list is always under construction and amenable to feedback!

Why did you choose the University of Hawaii to do your training?

I learned about the program from a classmate who matched to UH the year before. She was having such a great time and getting so much experience and great training, and the idea of living and learning in Hawai’i sounded like a once in a lifetime opportunity. When I came for the interview, it was very evident that the faculty and residents here shared my values: reproductive justice for women and community-centered research/care. I had substantial experience in medical school working with community-based participatory research and really wanted to continue this work in residency and beyond, and UH’s program was very interested and supportive of my passion for this. The patient populations here are very unique, a mix of rural and immigrant and indigenous peoples, with lots of health disparities to be addressed. And most importantly, the residents were awesome—they were fun, passionate, and smart. After my interview I knew immediately I wanted to be here.

What’s the best thing about being a resident/fellow at the University of Hawaii?

The program is really invested in our residents. They do everything they can to make sure things are working in your favor—they’re genuine about duty hour limitations, they make sure residents feel supported in their academic and extra-academic pursuits. And Ginny (our program coordinator) is an angel — she delivered groceries to my door when I had to quarantine for 2 weeks after relocating to Hawai’i!

How do you like to spend your off-time?

I live just a mile from the beach and like to jog there for an early morning or late evening swim. I also love to cook, paint, bike, hike, go thrifting. There are tons of little local restaurants in my neighborhood and I’m excited to explore.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawaii?

I am a big sucker for poke and Ono Seafood was mindblowing. All the restaurants are just barely re-opening so I look forward to exploring.