Welcome to Dr. Tumaini Rucker Coker, MD, MBA, our new University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) Department of Pediatrics Chair! The Pediatrics clinical department is located at the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, the only maternal, newborn, and pediatric specialty hospital for the state. Dr. Coker succeeds Dr. Ken Nakamura, who retired as Pediatrics Chair after more than 14 years in the role.
Dean Shomaker: We are excited to welcome Dr. Coker to JABSOM. Dr. Coker brings decades of experience as a pediatrician as well as an extensive background in community-based research in underserved areas. Those two attributes are exactly what JABSOM needs as we strive to train the next generation of pediatricians for Hawai'i.
Dr. Les Chun, Hawai'i Pacific Health Medical Group CEO: As chair of the Pediatric Department, Dr. Coker will oversee more than 200 compensated and volunteer faculty, as well as curricular activities supporting medical students, residents and fellows.
Prior to accepting the Pediatrics Chair position, Dr. Coker was the inaugural Research Director for Seattle Children's Center for Diversity and Health Equity, and served as the Co-Director of the University of Washington's NIH-funded Child Health Equity Research Fellowship. As a general pediatrician and health service researcher, Dr. Coker conducts community-partnered research to improve the delivery of primary care for children in low-income communities. She is a member of the United States Preventative Services Task Force and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Coker: Throughout my career, I've been driven by a deep commitment to partnering with communities to advance health equity. I'm thrilled to join JABSOM to continue this work, and collaborate with the incredible JABSOM faculty, staff, trainees, and community partners to advance health and wellness for all of Hawai'i's children and youth.
Introductions to the Interns:
Fahid Abujbara:
Hi all, I’m Fahid, born and raised in Amman, Jordan. I attended medical school at the University of Jordan, where I discovered my passion for pediatrics. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and water activities. I’m excited to join this wonderful community and meet everyone!
Noor Al Shannawi:
Noor Al Shannawi was born and raised in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She graduated from Arabian Gulf University where she completed her MD and Bsc. She enjoys teaching and is interested in medical education and fostering an environment of learning. During her free time, Noor loves to try out coffee shops and restaurants with family and friends. Her hobbies include swimming, horseback riding, reading, diving, and solving puzzles! She is excited to start her training in the University of Hawai’i Pediatrics Residency Program and continue to grow as an individual.
Amanda Chau:
Amanda Chau is from Kaimuki, Hawai’i and graduated from Punahou School. She is the younger of two girls and is the first in her family to attend medical school. She graduated from the University of Southern California where she studied Human Biology and Occupational Therapy. She worked for a healthcare consulting group in San Francisco for two years before returning home to earn her medical degree from the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). She enjoys HIIT and CrossFit workouts, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. Her academic interests focus on improving care outcomes for children with disabilities and medical complexity.
Brooke Kawamura:
My name is Brooke Kawamura, I was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii. I attended the Kamehameha Schools at Kapālama from grade K-12 (I MUA!). I went on to further my education at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa then to JABSOM (Go Bows!). It’s safe to say I identify as a Hawai’i girl through and through; I feel extremely grateful, honored, and excited to continue my journey here throughout residency. It has always been a dream of mine to serve the community that has raised me and I am interested in becoming a primary care provider. Some of my other interests within medicine include rural health and medical education. My interest in rural health stems from my family ties to Hilo, as well as spending a good portion of time during medical school rotating there. I’ve always had an interest in medical education and have a passion for teaching, which can translate towards working with medical students or family-centered rounds. I look forward to all the opportunities this program has to provide in the upcoming years.
Lauren Muraoka:
Aloha, my name is Lauren Muraoka, and I was born and raised on O’ahu. I went to Hanalani Schools, then attended the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where I studied Molecular Cell Biology. I’m so excited to be joining the Pediatric Residency family here in Hawai’i and have had the best time on my rotations getting to know the team and patients here at Kapi’olani! Outside of the hospital, you can find me at the beach with my two golden retrievers, watching scary movies, trying new recipes, and trying to get better at running!
Kerri Niino:
I grew up in Mililani, Hawai’i and attended Mililani High School before heading to the University of Washington for college. After graduating, I spent several gap years conducting immunology research at Seattle Children's Research Institute, coaching youth soccer, and teaching special education at the elementary and middle school levels in Virginia and Hawai’i - experiences that all deepened my love for working with kids! Outside of medicine, I love taking Corepower classes (sculpt only - I’m allergic to regular yoga), catching baby waves while surfing, spending time outdoors, traveling, and making espresso drinks at home!
Jennifer Sato:
Aloha! My name is Jennifer. I was born and raised on O’ahu and went to ’Iolani school. I had received a Doctor of Medicine Early Acceptance Program (DMEAP) scholarship from JABSOM to attend the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. There I studied sociology while taking the medical school prerequisites. As a JABSOM student about to enter residency at Kapi’olani, I have always loved being in Hawai’i and desire to practice here. I fell in love with the hospital, faculty and patients while doing my rotations here and I wanted more training in the place that I know will be my forever home. Outside of the hospital, you’ll see me relaxing at home watching movies, kayaking with my husband in Kaneohe Bay, or finding the best restaurants to eat at. I’m excited to see what residency holds and thank you in advance for your support and teaching.
Krystin Wong:
Hi everyone! My name is Krystin Wong and I’m excited to be a part of the incoming pediatrics intern class! I grew up in Kahalu’u, Hawai’i and graduated from Punahou School before venturing off to New York City where I studied Neuroscience at Columbia University. There I had the opportunity to play softball and enjoyed exploring the unique city and culture, but knew I ultimately wanted to return home for medical school. In my gap years, I worked as an ER scribe, pharmacy technician, and did some research in orthopedics. And while I already knew that I loved working with kids, med school quickly confirmed my desire to make a career out of it. When I am not studying, I love working out, hanging out at the beach, exploring new coffee shops, crafting, and babysitting. I am looking forward to this next chapter!
Anirban Dutta, Mari Grief, Youngtae Kang, Rachel Kwon, Tiffany Lau, Thanaporn “Ant” Ratchataswan, Mari Ueno, Joshua Umland
The Department is happy to announce the promotion of our faculty members. The promotion of Dr. Rachel Coel and Dr. Kelley Hutchins will be effective July 2024. And the promotion of Dr. Andras Bratincsak and Dr. Pia Francisco-Natanauan will be effective August 2024. We wish them success in their careers as they continue the pursuit of their academic endeavors at the Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii and their commitment to the communities they serve.
Nagisa Matsumoto, DO
Nagisa Matsumoto was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School where she went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. During her gap year, she spent two months as an assistant teacher in Hiroshima, Japan after which she returned to Honolulu and worked as an optometrist technician at a local optometry office. She then completed medical school at Touro University Nevada in Las Vegas and is excited to be returning home to start pediatrics residency at the University of Hawaii. Her hobbies include crocheting, ballet, going to the beach, traveling, and everything and anything related to her puppy Miyu, who is an endless ball of energy.
Emily Nip, MD
Emily Nip was born in Houston, Texas, and attended UT Southwestern Medical School. She also received her MPH due to her interest in pediatric community health and global health. Before medical school, she worked for Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network and spent a year living in Lilongwe conducting research with UNC Malawi Surgical Initiative. She is interested in pursuing fellowship after residency, possibly in infectious disease or gastroenterology, but is still exploring all that pediatrics has to offer. She considers Honolulu one of her hometowns and is excited to reconnect with friends and family. In her free time, her hobbies include rock climbing, hiking, surfing, cooking, and playing with pugs.
Brachelle Nueku, MD
Brachelle Ann Kealohapumehana Nueku was born and raised in Honolulu, HI. She is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Occidental College, and soon-to-be University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine. She loves spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, playing/coaching basketball, and taking mid-day naps. Brachelle is currently interested in becoming a general pediatrician in her community or pursuing a sports medicine fellowship. She is excited to continue her training in the UH Pediatrics Residency Program, serving the diverse Hawai‘i communities in which she has grown up.
Anna-Kaelle Ramos, MD
Anna-Kaelle Ramos was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i. She obtained her B.S. in Public Health Sciences from the University of California, Irvine before attending the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Anna-Kaelle is excited to continue her training here at home! Her academic interests include general pediatrics, pediatric hematology-oncology, and community health and advocacy. She also enjoys mentoring and hopes to continue supporting local students in their journeys to medicine. In her free time, Anna-Kaelle loves playing volleyball, bouldering, reading, baking (and eating) cookies, and spending time with her cat.
Tori Teramae, MD
Tori Teramae is from Pearl City, Hawaii and graduated from Iolani School. She is the oldest of three girls and the first in her family to attend medical school. She graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska with a B.S. in Neuroscience. She then received her medical degree from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and spending time in the mountains, distance running, learning about native plants, catching sunsets, trying out new coffee and matcha shops, and spending time with her family including her senior chihuahua terrier mix, Roxy. She is beyond excited to join the UH Pediatrics family and care for Hawaii’s keiki.
Davis Wong, MD
Davis Wong grew up in Kaneohe, Hawai’i and obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry at UH Manoa. He worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician for three years before attending the John A. Burns School of Medicine. His academic interests include developmental pediatrics, allergy and immunology, and pediatric emergency medicine. Davis’ personal hobbies include bouldering, playing pickleball, and playing video games.
Anna Young, MD
Anna Young is born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and graduated from Hawaii Baptist Academy. She obtained undergraduate degrees in Investigative & Medical Sciences and Forensic Science from Saint Louis University then returned home to attend John A. Burns School of Medicine. She is thrilled to have matched with the UH Pediatrics Residency program and is looking forward to further exploring different fields of pediatrics. Her hobbies include finding new boba shops, traveling, crafting, yoga, and baking.
Yi Yu, MD
Yi Yu grew up in Liliha, O‘ahu and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa prior to matriculating into the John A. Burns School of Medicine. She is excited to continue her medical training in Hawai‘i where she will be able to keep learning from the community she wishes to serve in the future. Her current interests include general pediatrics and hospital medicine, but she is also open to pursuing a fellowship after exploring various pediatric subspecialities during residency. In her free time, she enjoys trying new crafts, going to new restaurants, doing puzzles, reading books, and watching Asian dramas.
FELLOWS
Abigale Cox, MD
Hello! I write my name as Abigale, but please feel free to call me Abby. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where I developed a great love for BBQ and breakfast tacos. I earned my undergraduate degree in Neurobiology from the University of Texas in Austin, and I served as an ER travel and training scribe for a year post-grad—it took me all over the US and I’m grateful for that experience! I went through medical school at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock TX, and am now finishing up my pediatric residency at Tripler Army Medical Center. I am beyond grateful to be able to continue my education here in Hawaii, where our little family has thrived. My husband’s name is Noah, and we have two sons (Henry, age 6 and Hudson, age 3) with one daughter on the way (due May 2024).
Elizabeth Young, MD
Elisabeth Young is from Lihue, Kauai. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Puget Sound, a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University, and her Medical Doctorate from John A. Burns School of Medicine. She completed her Pediatric Residency at the University of California San Francisco and has worked for the last two years as a NICU/PICU pediatric hospitalist at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Academically, she is interested in applications of point of care ultrasound, health equity, and community-centered initiatives. Her personal interests include hiking, reading, and anything involving the ocean. She has always dreamed of serving the community that raised her, and could not be happier to return home
CHIEFS
Mari Grief, MD
Dr. Mari Grief will be joining us following her graduation this spring from the University of Hawaii Pediatric Residency Program. Mari was born and raised on Oahu. She moved to the mainland for college, where she attended the University of Notre Dame. She briefly lived in Dallas, Texas as a medical scribe, before returning to the midwest for graduate school at Loyola Chicago University. She returned home to Hawaii for medical school at JABSOM, and stayed in Hawaii for her pediatric residency. From a career standpoint, she is interested in emergency medicine and medical education, and hopes to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine in the future. Mari enjoys baking, spending time with her fiancé, family, and friends, and teaching her cats new tricks.
Mari Ueno, MD
Dr. Mari Ueno will be joining us following her graduation this spring from the University of Hawaii Pediatric Residency Program. Mari was born and raised on Maui and enjoyed playing soccer throughout her childhood. She moved to the mainland for college, where she attended Santa Clara University in Northern California. She returned home to Hawaii for medical school at JABSOM, and stayed in Hawaii to complete pediatric residency. Mari hopes to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology in the future. In her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, hiking, and learning to cook new things.
The Department is happy to announce the promotion of our faculty members. The promotion of Dr. Natascha Ching will be effective August 2023. Dr. Aimee Grace and Dr. Russell Woo were also promoted to their respective appointments effective July 1, 2023. We wish them success in their careers as they continue the pursuit of their academic endeavors at the Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii and their commitment to the communities they serve.
Lyndsay Long, DO
Aloha! I’m Lyndsay. I grew up in a military family and have enjoyed the opportunity to live, work, and travel in many different parts of the world. For undergrad, I landed at Texas A&M University (Gig’em Aggies!) where I majored in International Studies and Economics. From there, I went to work with the consulting firm, Accenture, and was part of several systems integration projects with the Department of State, Lockheed Martin, and Accenture Federal Services. After deciding that I wanted to pursue a long-term career where I was able to help people more directly, I upshifted to medical school and attended Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. With LMU-DCOM, I completed training in both Harrogate, TN on the east side of the state in Appalachia and Memphis, TN on the Mississippi River. I completed my Pediatrics Residency in Oak Lawn, IL on the south side of Chicago at Advocate Children’s Hospital. I fell in love with the care of the tiniest humans and their families and I am thrilled to be doing my NICU fellowship training in Honolulu with UH, JABSOM, and TAMC.
Catlyn Blanchard, MD
My name is Catlyn Blanchard. I am originally from Upstate New York, where I completed my education including graduate and medical school. I have spent the last 3 years in Washington state finishing my pediatrics residency at Madigan Army Medical Center. I am excited to start my neonatology fellowship in Hawaii with my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bean. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, swimming, reading, and traveling, particularly if there is good food. I am looking forward to exploring the mountains and ocean around O’ahu.
Dr. Allison Arrigoni will be joining us following her graduation this spring from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Pediatric Residency Program.
Allison Arrigoni grew up in Seattle where she lived after college prior to moving to New Orleans for medical school, then to Memphis for residency. Having lived on all the US coasts, Allison is very excited to start life in Hawaii, where she and her dog will be reunited with her fiancé and his pug! From a career standpoint, she is interested in hospital medicine and critical care, and hopes to ultimately go into PICU. Allison enjoys spending time with friends, playing board and card games, exploring local restaurants and breweries and watching objectively bad TV. She is looking forward to getting back into hiking and running in Hawaii!
Megan Blair
Megan Blair is from Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. She attended the Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon. She loves the outdoors and takes part in hiking, camping, snorkeling, and diving. She also appreciates a good cup of coffee and likes to find new coffee shops where she can chat with friends or read good books. Finally, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. As for her goals, she is still figuring out whether she wants to became a general pediatrician in outpatient care, or if she would like to pursue a fellowship in pediatrics. However, one thing is for sure—she looks forward to making lifelong connections with the people she works with and the patients she sees.
Johanna Bonner
Johanna Bonner was born and raised in Greifswald, Germany, where she attended Universitätsmedizin Greifswald. She has been living in Hawaii for the past 3 years. Her personal interests include hiking, running, playing tennis, being in the water, and spending time with family. She hopes to eventually combine outpatient general pediatrics and sports medicine in her office on Oahu.
Alice Chen
Alice Chen was born in Vancouver, Canada and has lived in New York City for the past 7 years. Her academic interests are in neonatal intensive care, developmental-behavioral medicine, and community health and advocacy. Her personal interests include food-forward traveling, reformer pilates, learning about interior and floral design, and taking solo walks with good music.
Sung Hwan Choi
Sung Hwan Choi was born and raised in South Korea. He attended Seoul National University College of Medicine and is primarily interested in studying infectious diseases. His childhood dream was to become a concert pianist, and he continues this passion even now by playing classical or jazz piano pieces during his free time. His goals include pursuing a hematology or oncology fellowship, but he is open to exploring all aspects of pediatric practice.
Mohamed Kandil
Mohamed is originally from Egypt; and grew up in a rural/bedouin culture that values perseverance and teamwork. His people are known for their generosity and for their delicious food.
He is an excellent cook and food is his love language. He also enjoys drawing, painting, and gardening in his free time.
He is planning to pursue fellowship after residency. Still undecided, but loves Hem/Onc, Neonatology, and Cardiology.
Juyun Lee
Juyun Lee was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, and attended Kosin University College of Medicine. His interests include playing the guitar— specifically jazz music—and making his own beats. During his time in Hawaii, he would like to learn how to surf. He is interested in working in pediatric cardiology and critical care.
Furqaan Lim
Furqaan Lim is an IMG from the Philippines. She attended the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine. Her interests include drawing, reading fiction, and traveling. She is currently learning how to paint both digitally and in watercolor. She plans to pursue a pediatric cardiology fellowship in the future to achieve her ultimate dream of being a pediatric cardiologist-geneticist.
Safiuddin Hasan Mohammed
Safiudin is from Hyderabad, India. He enjoys Bollywood dancing and doing stand-up comedy.
He would like to see himself as a Pediatric Hospitalist one day.
The Department is excited to announce the promotion of our faculty members. The promotion of Dr. Jennifer Di Rocco, Dr. Jessica Kosut and Dr. Shilpa Patel will be effective August 2022. Dr. Randy Wada was recently retroactively promoted to Professor effective July 2021. We wish them success in their careers as they continue the pursuit of their academic endeavors at John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii and their commitment to the communities they serve.