John A. Burns School of Medicine

John A. Burns School of Medicine. It is the sole medical school of the University of Hawaiʻi System and a part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Established by an act of the Hawaii State Legislature, the school is named for John A. Burns, the second Governor of Hawaii and a key advocate for its creation. Its mission focuses on training physicians for Hawaii and the Pacific region, while conducting research that addresses unique local and global health challenges.

History

The school was officially founded in 1965 following advocacy by Governor John A. Burns and support from the Hawaii State Legislature. It initially held classes in temporary facilities, including Quonset huts on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus. Under the leadership of its first dean, Windsor C. Cutting, the school quickly developed its curriculum and secured full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. A significant milestone was the 1973 opening of its first permanent building, named for John A. Burns. In 2005, the school relocated to a state-of-the-art, purpose-built campus in the Kakaʻako district of Honolulu, a move that greatly expanded its research and educational capabilities.

Academics and programs

The school offers a traditional Doctor of Medicine program with an integrated curriculum that emphasizes problem-based learning and early clinical exposure. It also provides several dual-degree options, including the MD–PhD program through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the MD–MPH in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Office of Public Health Studies. Graduate programs include a Master of Science in Clinical Research and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences. The school operates residency and fellowship programs in partnership with major clinical sites like The Queen's Medical Center and Tripler Army Medical Center. Its Department of Native Hawaiian Health works to improve health outcomes for Indigenous populations.

Research

Research strengths are strategically aligned with the health needs of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. The school houses several National Institutes of Health-funded centers, including the National Center for Research Resources-supported John A. Burns School of Medicine Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network. Key research themes include infectious diseases like leptospirosis and dengue fever, cancer disparities particularly in Native Hawaiians, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease. The school is also a leader in biomedical research on health disparities and is part of the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program. Its Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research focuses on pathogens prevalent in tropical environments.

Facilities and clinical affiliates

The main campus is located in the Kakaʻako district of Honolulu, featuring the Medical Education Building and the 651 Ilalo Street research facility. These buildings house advanced simulation centers, research laboratories, and the Health Sciences Library. Primary clinical training occurs at The Queen's Medical Center, the state's largest private hospital, and the state-run Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities. A major affiliate is Tripler Army Medical Center, a United States Department of Defense hospital. Other key partners include the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Straub Medical Center, and the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. The school also maintains community health training sites across the Hawaiian Islands.

Notable faculty and alumni

Notable past and present faculty include cardiovascular researcher Ralph Shohet, former dean and neuroscientist Edwin Cadman, and tropical disease expert Bruce A. Wilcox. Distinguished alumni encompass leaders in various medical fields, such as former American Medical Association president Rebecca J. Patchin and transplant surgeon Linda L. Wong. Many graduates hold significant leadership positions within the Hawaii Department of Health, major local hospital systems like Hawaii Pacific Health, and academic institutions across the United States. The school's alumni are recognized for their service in underserved communities throughout the Pacific Islands.

Category:University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Category:Medical schools in Hawaii Category:Educational institutions established in 1965