HONOLULU, HI - Sept. 23, 2022 - Satellite Healthcare Inc., a nonprofit, top-rated provider of kidney dialysis and related patient services, and three other nonprofit partners, announced today the upcoming opening of Hawai‘i Kidney Care at Kuakini. The center will provide dialysis to patients who live with end-stage renal disease in addition to other health conditions that contribute to their vulnerable health status.
A first-of-its-kind facility within Hawai‘i, the center is a partnership between Satellite Healthcare, The Queen’s Health System, Kuakini Support Services Inc., and Hawai‘i Medical Service Association subsidiary, Integrated Services Inc.
“Kidney disease is a profound problem in Hawai‘i, affecting almost 20 percent of residents,” said Jeffrey Goffman, Satellite Healthcare CEO. “Satellite Healthcare and our partners have extraordinary capabilities in delivering the spectrum of services to people with chronic conditions and help them live their best lives possible.”
Hawai‘i Kidney Care at Kuakini was created to address the epidemic of kidney disease on the island, as well as a lack of care facilities to enable high-risk patients to be discharged from the hospital to receive their dialysis treatments. The center will provide both in-center dialysis and home dialysis training for patients who choose to dialyze at home, a treatment known for faster recovery times and superior outcomes.
“Queen’s is continuously looking for ways to provide accessible, high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Hawai‘i. We are grateful for this partnership and are pleased that this innovative center will offer the treatments, comfort and convenience that will improve the quality of life for dialysis patients and their families,” said Jason Chang, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, The Queen’s Health System.
Garret Sugai, HMSA Vice President, Strategic Execution and President, Integrated Services Inc. added, “It is truly HMSA’s privilege to be a partner in this initiative and help expand access to care for some of the people who need it most. We know kidney disease affects the lives of so many of our family and friends here in Hawai‘i and there is much work to be done.”
“Kuakini is pleased to partner with Queen’s, HMSA, and Satellite Healthcare in the opening of a new outpatient dialysis center to serve the community, said Gary Kajiwara, President and CEO of Kuakini Health System. “This project is a Kuakini story coming full circle as we started the second outpatient dialysis facility on Oahu in the mid-1970s and then transferred this facility to a private provider in 1983 and the facility moved off the Kuakini campus in 1996. Kuakini recognizes the critical need to address the increasing number of persons with chronic kidney disease.”
The center hosted a blessing ceremony this morning where partners from Satellite Healthcare, Queen’s, Kuakini, and HMSA marked its opening on the Kuakini Health System campus.
2022 Dialysis Center Blessing Ceremony (Courtesy of HMSA)
About Satellite Healthcare
Satellite Healthcare, Inc. has been among the nation's leading non-profit providers of kidney dialysis and related services since 1974 and is dedicated to maintaining a workforce that mirrors its diverse communities. Through its affiliated services, Satellite WellBound, Satellite Dialysis, and Satellite Research, Satellite Healthcare provides unparalleled kidney care services addressing patient wellness education, chronic kidney care management, and personalized clinical services. It focuses on the imperatives of value-based care, high quality, cost management, access to kidney care services, and emphasizing the importance of Home Dialysis therapies.
Satellite Healthcare has more than 95 kidney care and ancillary centers across seven states and partners with prominent integrated care groups, nephrologists, hospitals, and health care systems in the United States, including an innovative joint venture with CVS Kidney Care. Satellite Healthcare’s well-recognized mission of “making life better for those living with kidney disease” includes an enduring commitment to philanthropy and community service, from funding millions of dollars in research grants to sponsoring kidney programs nationwide. For more information, visit satellitehealthcare.com.
About The Queen’s Health System
The Queen’s Health System (QHS) is a nonprofit corporation established in 1985 to provide expanded health care capabilities to the people of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin. It is Hawai‘i’s preeminent family of health care-related companies, and has more than 8,000 employees and more than 1,500 affiliated physicians and providers in its statewide network. QHS consists of The Queen’s Medical Center (Hawai‘i’s oldest hospital founded in 1859), The Queen’s Medical Center – West O‘ahu, Molokai General Hospital, Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital, The Queen’s Health Care Centers, Queen’s Island Urgent Care, Queen Emma Land Company, Queen’s Development Corporation, Queen’s Insurance Exchange, Queen’s Clinically Integrated Physician Network, and Queen’s ‘Akoakoa, and has ownership interests in CareResource Hawaii, Hamamatsu/Queen’s PET Imaging Center, Diagnostic Laboratory Services, and EmPower Health.
About HMSA
Caring for the people of Hawaii is our promise and our privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote well-being; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance.
HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state, covering more than half of Hawaii’s population. As a recognized leader, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.
Headquartered on Oahu with centers and offices statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Kuakini Support Services, Inc.
Kuakini Support Services, Inc. (KSS) is a non-profit corporation responsible for developing alternative sources of revenue for Kuakini Health System (KHS). KHS is a non-profit corporation organized for charitable, research and educational purposes to support and encourage social, health and medical care services. KHS is the parent company of four non-profit subsidiaries - Kuakini Medical Center (established in 1900); Kuakini Geriatric Care, Inc.; Kuakini Foundation; and Kuakini Support Services, Inc.; and these subsidiaries are committed to improving the health status of the community through comprehensive acute medical, surgical, and emergency services; long term care, residential care home, and geriatric care programs for the elderly; primary care services; medical and health care training and education programs; and biomedical research.
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Contact:
Satellite Healthcare, Inc
Peggy D. Kraus
Mobile: (720) 378-0943
Email: KrausP@satellitehealth.com
HMSA
Anna Koethe
Mobile: (808) 226-8379
Email: anna_koethe@hmsa.com