Healthcare provider cutting 30 jobs

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

Hawai'i Pacific Health — which includes Kapi'olani Health, Straub Clinic & Hospital and Wilcox Health System — is in the process of cutting 30 jobs from its administrative staff on O'ahu, a spokeswoman said.

Pat Oda, Hawai'i Pacific Health public relations manager, said the work force reduction is confined to support service areas and will not affect patient care. She said part of the reason for the changes resulted from some duplication of services within the three organizations, which merged in December.

Ota said reorganization in support-service groups such as human resources, marketing, information systems and legal services are part of a business strategy to reduce costs and increase productivity. She said it also reflects the healthcare industry's challenge in dealing with continually rising costs and lowered reimbursements.

"The unfortunate result, of course, is that these changes have resulted in some employees losing their jobs," Oda said. "Wherever possible, however, we have offered qualified employees positions elsewhere within the company.

Hawaii Pacific Health has about 5,000 employees. Oda said each of the affected employees is being provided with separation support and "generous severance packages."

Oda said the reorganization does not affect the hospitals or clinics "where we continue to actively recruit for the continuous open positions we have for nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and in general, staff who provide patient care."

The Hawaii Pacific Health hospitals include Wilcox Memorial Hospital, the major medical facility on Kaua'i; Straub Clinic & Hospital, which specializes in cardiac care, a burn unit and a sleep disorders center; Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, which has a pediatric intensive care unit; and Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, a community-based acute care hospital serving Leeward residents.

Correction: Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center and Tripler Army Medical Center have pediatric intensive care units. A previous version of this story was incorrect.