Brinkman Named Interim Regional Hospital Director

Dan Brinkman, regional chief operating officer for Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, has been named interim regional chief executive officer effective Aug. 1, the company’s East Hawaii Regional Board announced today.

Brinkman will take over for outgoing director Howard Ainsley, who will assist in the transition of the position until his departure on Aug. 9 for Morehead Memorial Hospital.

The company’s East Hawaii Region consists of Hilo Medical Center, Ka`u Hospital and Hale Ho`ola Hamakua in Honoka`a, affiliate Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home and 10 outpatient clinics, with a total of 468 beds and more than 1,250 employees and 250 physicians.

“Our decision to name Dan Brinkman as the interim CEO of the East Hawaii Region makes good sense for the organization and community,” said Gary Yoshiyama, East Hawaii Regional Board chairman. “Dan’s immediate appointment provides a seamless transition for the region in maintaining quality of care to the community and moving forward with major initiatives with regard to operations, legislative goals and our commitment to financial stewardship. As the chief operating officer for the region, he has a comprehensive understanding of the long term direction and strategic plan for all of the hospitals and clinics throughout the region.”

Brinkman first joined Hilo Medical Center in 2007 as the chief nurse executive and was named regional chief operating officer in early 2014. Prior to moving to Hilo, he was the assistant administrator of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery at Vanderbilt University’s Medical Center.

Brinkman earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado, an associates degree in nursing from Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado and a bachelor of arts in political science from Augusta State College in Georgia. He resides on the Hamakua Coast with his wife, six daughters and extended family.

“This announcement allows our board to move forward with the process of searching for a candidate who can assume the permanent role of chief executive officer for the East Hawaii Region,” Yoshiyama said. “We are looking forward to selecting a CEO who will be dedicated to fulfilling our mission of improving our community’s health through exceptional and compassionate care.”