Sixty years after welcoming its first class, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) continues to shape the future of health care in Hawaiʻi, training generations of doctors grounded in science, service and aloha.
To mark the milestone, more than 500 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners gathered at The Royal Hawaiian on October 11 for the celebration.
Since opening its doors in 1965, JABSOM has trained more than 3,000 doctors. Today, about half of all practicing physicians in Hawaiʻi are JABSOM graduates or faculty members—underscoring the school’s deep connection to the community it serves.
JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker reflected on the school’s remarkable growth and enduring sense of community.
“When I was a medical student, we had around 60 students in a class. Now we’re up to 77. Twenty–four hundred applicants apply for those 77 spots—so we’re doing something right,” Shomaker said. “This medical school has grown out of the community, and Hawaiʻi is all about aloha. Our medical school is all about aloha.”
Honoring excellence in medicine
The evening included the inaugural JABSOM Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions in medicine and community health. Neal Palafox received the Hie Award for his groundbreaking cancer and nuclear testing research in the Pacific. Reni Soon received the Hōkūhoʻokelewaʻa Award for her leadership in reproductive rights and women’s health advocacy.
As Hawaiʻi’s only medical school, JABSOM continues to fulfill its mission to serve the entire state by expanding training opportunities across the islands. New residency programs are being established on the neighbor islands to strengthen local healthcare access.
To capture the spirit of the school, JABSOM’s Media and Communications team debuted The Heart of JABSOM, a video series highlighting the people and values that define the institution. Ryan Keliʻi Shontell, Geri Young, Venkataraman Balaraman and Keolamau Yee were featured in short vignettes showcasing JABSOM’s locally focused research, rural education programs and the emphasis on delivering care with aloha.
A celebration of aloha and legacy
The event also included a hula performance by second-year medical students Kaela Akina-Magnussen, Lincoln Hunt, Trini Leung, Aljay Carnate Jr., Karina Sharma, Kasey Emoto and Kalpana Balaraman, who danced to Ke Alaula by the Mākaha Sons.
The evening concluded with a special performance by world–renowned musician Jake Shimabukuro. Shimabukuro is married to Kelly Yamasato, a 2005 JABSOM alumna and current OBGYN faculty member.
“The role of JABSOM is so critical in Hawaiʻi,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “The work they’ve done touches everyone who lives here and reaches far beyond the islands. We’re so proud to be part of JABSOM at UH, and I don’t think there are any limits to where they can go next.”
