Health briefs
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
State hospital names director
Dr. Rupert R. Goetz has been appointed medical director of Hawai'i State Hospital.
The hospital's administrator, Paul A. Guggenheim, called it "a critically important assignment since the medical director oversees more than 70 percent of state hospital staff." Goetz will supervise areas such as psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation, social services, medical services, neuropsychology and clinical dietary services.
Goetz is the former medical director of Oregon's Clackamas County Mental Health Center and an associate professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is a board-certified psychiatrist and family practitioner.
Heart diagnosis uses ultrasound
St. Francis Medical Center's heart specialists are the first in Hawai'i to have a three-dimensional cardiac ultrasound system for their use.
Dr. Neal Shikuma, chief of cardiology at St. Francis, said the new system holds promise of better diagnoses and surgical planning for patients suffering from heart disease or dysfunction.
He said the ultrasound system allows doctors to view the heart from different perspectives and see the intricate correlation of valves, chambers and vessels.
"You can truly see the heart and the valve exactly in the same way a surgeon would see it during an operation," Shikuma said.
Plant sale helps rehab program
REHAB Hospital of the Pacific will hold its greenhouse plant sale from 3 to 7 p.m. April 30 at 226 N. Kuakini St.
The sale will offer native Hawaiian plants as well as yellow iris, desert rose, hibiscus, tuberose and herbs. Gift baskets of plants and flowers also will be available.
Proceeds will go to the horticultural therapy program, which helps patients recover as they tend to plants.
For more information, call recreation therapist Melissa Applegate at 566-3791.
Healthcare CEO joins council
Rich Meiers, president and chief executive officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawai'i, has been elected to the Council of Regents, the legislative body of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Before joining the Healthcare Association of Hawa'i, Meiers served as chief of staff at Tripler Army Medical Center.
Volunteers get job orientation
Kuakini Health System is looking for high-school and college students to take part in a six-week summer student volunteer program that begins in June.
The program's goal is to introduce young people to career opportunities in health. Their duties will include serving meals to patients, assisting in recreation for the elderly, clerical work and running errands.
Applicants must be at least 14 years old and able to work a minimum of two four-hour shifts per week. Days and times are flexible and training will be provided.
Orientation is June 19 to 21 and the program runs from June 23 to Aug. 2.
For more information, call 547-9184.
