Shriners Children's Hawaii

Help us celebrate Healthcare HR Professionals Week and our amazing Human Resources duo, Camille Andrade-D'Amato and Juan Vargas! From creating a safe and positive workplace culture to strengthening our Shriners Children's Hawaii ohana, Camille and Juan are truly the backbone of our team. Mahalo nui loa for their hard work behind the scenes and dedication to our staff that makes it possible to provide the best care to our keiki! #ShrinersHawaii #HCHRWeek25

Happy #DietitianDay! To celebrate, our incredible Nutrition team knocked it out of the park once again with a successful Tasting event at the Honu Café! This time, they served up delicious samples of Pork Monggo—a hearty stew of mung beans and pork—featuring the superfood, moringa! We were thrilled to have Mountain View Farms join us to share their natural farming techniques and the amazing health benefits of their toxin-free moringa. Known as the "miracle tree," moringa has been used for centuries in traditional medicine across Asia. It’s praised for its ability to support wound healing, lower blood pressure, and boost heart and gut health. Plus, it’s downright tasty—especially in our Pork Monggo! A huge mahalo to Mountain View Farms for visiting our hospital and sharing their passion for this nutrient-packed superfood. #ShrinersHawaii

Recently, our very own care management manager, Merlene Jose, visited Punahou School's 6th grade class to share insights about Shriners Children's Hawaii and the specialized care we provide. It was an especially touching moment when a few students proudly shared that they were once a Shriners Children's patient, making Merlene's visit even more meaningful. "They were very engaged and asked many questions," Merlene said. "It was a bright and curious group of kids!" A big mahalo to Merlene for helping us tell our story to the community! ?? #ShrinersHawaii

March is #SocialWorkMonth and to celebrate, our Care Management team hosted an acai bowl party in the Honu Café, where staff came together to enjoy the refreshing treat and express gratitude to our dedicated social workers, Helena Pontillas and Cindy Shimabukuro! From the beginning of our patients' care journey at Shriners Children's Hawaii, Helena and Cindy are there, offering unwavering support and guidance. They are not only a source of emotional strength for families but also a bridge between families and their medical team regarding any questions or concerns. Join us in thanking our amazing social workers for making a difference, one family at a time! ?? #ShrinersHawaii

On February 26, patient ambassadors Solomon and Rylee were invited to speak at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine's "Disability Day"! Nearly a hundred second-year medical students and faculty were in attendance to learn about Solomon’s and Rylee’s perspectives in living with a disabling condition and the considerations that doctors should be aware of when caring for young patients. Solomon, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, recalled when one of his early community doctors gave him a somber prognosis where he would need lifetime assistive devices. “With the help of my team at Shriners Children’s, I challenged myself through all the physical and occupational therapy and surgery,” he told the audience. “Today, I enjoy golf, hiking and running - all without AFOs.” Rylee, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), described her experiences being repeatedly dismissed by doctors before she was finally diagnosed with EDS at Shriners Children’s Hawaii. "As a kid, I had an unusually high number of dislocations and injuries," she said. "But multiple doctors told me nothing was wrong or that I was making it up. I truly felt like I was heard when I came to Shriners." Today, Rylee doesn't let her condition get in the way of her passions, including cheer and boxing. A thunderous round of applause filled the room and many students stayed behind to personally thank Solomon and Rylee for sharing their stories. "While medical students have extensive knowledge about various disease processes, most do not understand what it is like to live with a chronic illness," said Lauren Sternberg, medical student and coordinator of the event. "That insight is invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful to Solomon and Rylee for sharing it with us." #ShrinersHawaii

We celebrated National Recreation Therapy (RT) Month in the sweetest way - with a waffle bar, hosted by our amazing RT team! But the treats didn't stop there! Staff also shared heartfelt messages about what they love most about RT, and got some extra cuddles with Zadoc's furry friends, Bruno and Elliot from Assistance Dogs of Hawaii. Recreation therapy plays a large role in the wraparound care we provide, supporting our patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being through the power of play. We are so grateful for our RT team and the fun, everlasting memories they create for our keiki! #ShrinersHawaii

Earlier this month, we had the honor of welcoming Daughters of the Nile (DON) Supreme Queen Jackie Holloway to our hospital. Joining us for this special occasion were Chris Kaminaka, Potentate of Aloha Shriners, Shriners Children’s Hawaii senior leaders and local DON members of Egyptian Temple # 33. Supreme Queen Jackie, Queen Cora from local Egyptian Temple # 33, and other members from Daughters of the Nile temples who traveled from afar spent the afternoon with our patients in recreation therapy, engaging in arts and crafts, sparking creativity, and bringing laughter with fun trivia. Some of our patients even had the chance to try on her crown! ?? The Daughters of the Nile’s generous support over the years has made a lasting impact. Mahalo Supreme Queen Jackie and Daughters of the Nile for helping to provide life-changing care for our keiki! ?? #ShrinersHawaii

Last week, the Seattle Seahawks generously donated 100 pairs of Nike shoes to our hospital! ?? Setting up a special tent in our porte cochere, the Seahawks' incredible community engagement team personally distributed the shoes to our patients, bringing joy and excitement that afternoon. Adding to the excitement, our keiki had the opportunity to take photos with their beloved mascot, Blitz, making the day even more special. Mahalo to the Seattle Seahawks for thinking of Shriners Children's Hawaii and creating such a fun and unforgettable experience for our keiki! ?? #ShrinersHawaii #seahawks

It's that time of year again for our Annual Education Fair! In celebration of teamwork, dedication, and education, each department at Shriners Children's Hawaii had the opportunity to create their own education boards, highlighting their team and the incredible work they do. Staff members were encouraged to explore the boards, learn from one another, and discover how each department plays a vital role in our mission to provide the highest quality of care for our keiki. #ShrinersHawaii

Shriners Children’s is number 1 on the Forbes 2025 America’s Best Midsize Employers list! This honor reflects our commitment to providing a unique, rewarding work environment, with opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Learn more about us at shrinerschildrens.org.