Written by Gabriel Lapid, MS2
The Hawai‘i Chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) hosted the annual 2016 Baccalaureate Service on Sunday night at the International Baptist Church in Honolulu. Community physicians and medical students, along with their families, celebrated the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) Class of 2016 with prayer, music, and food.
Anar “Roy” Magnusson, MD, JABSOM Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, delivered the keynote message of the ceremony. Dr. Magnusson encouraged the soon-to-be doctors by explaining the synergism between working as a doctor and living a life of faith in Christ. “I think there’s evidence of God’s work in the medicine here in Hawai‘i and in JABSOM,” said Dr. Magnusson.
Dr. Magnusson reminded the students of the continued service of individuals like Jill Omori, MD and Kalani Brady, MD, MPH. Dr. Omori founded the Hawai‘i H.O.M.E. Project, an integral part of the medical school, which provides medical access and care to homeless families in our community. Dr. Brady travels to Moloka‘i regularly to bring physical and spiritual healing to the patients affected by the social injustice that stems from the days of Hansen Disease isolation and quarantine. Dr. Magnusson noted that these are just a few examples of how local physicians “practice medicine faithfully.”
Below, view a slideshow of photographs from the 2016 Baccalaureate Service. Photos taken by Mrs. Judi Fong.
Dr. and Mrs. William and Judi Fong were recognized for being the heart and soul of the CMDA community in Hawai‘i. For years, the Fongs have opened their home to medical students every week. The students meet to have discussions and worship, and also to listen to the experiences of guest speakers. Students often rave at the home-cooked meals prepared by Mrs. Fong. Diego Fong, a hospital service dog and long time CMDA member, was recently named a 2016 Hawai‘i Red Cross Community Hero.
Laurie Tam, MD gave a charge to the class to continue to serve God with their time, talent, tithe, and thanksgiving. Dr. Tam mentioned that time for prayer could be found even in the busiest of days. To help celebrate the seniors, students from the classes of 2018 and 2019 danced a hula and led the congregation in worship through song. The service was followed by a delicious potluck dinner in the church social hall.
Below, watch CMDA 2016 Highlites , a video created by Mrs. Judi Fong.
CMDA 2016 Highlites from bill judi on Vimeo.
The graduating members who were able to attend the baccalaureate service were recognized individually during the ceremony with a lei and certificate:
Christine Chan
University of Arizona
Family Medicine Residency Program
Tucson, Arizona
Kelcy G. Higa
University of Arizona – South Campus Emergency Medicine
Tucson, Arizona
Ricky Y. Kaneshiro
University of Hawaiʻi Medicine Preliminary
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology
Los Angeles, California
Nikki D. S. Kumura
University of Hawaiʻi
Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Vivian Lin
University of Hawaiʻi
Family Medicine Residency Program
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Princeton F. Ly
UCLA Medical Center Pediatrics
Los Angeles, California
Meghann Lau Martelly
Family Health Centers of San Diego Family Medicine
San Diego, California
Steffan Soosman
University of Hawaiʻi Transitional
UC Davis Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology
Sacramento, California
Diep Vuong
Loma Linda University Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Loma Linda, California
Casey Satoshi Yamashita
UCLA Olive View Medical Center Internal Medicine
Los Angeles, California