First Physicians to Graduate from Local Residency Program

The first graduating class of Hilo Medical Centerʻs Hawai‘i Island Family Medicine Residency Program will be recognized on Friday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at King Kamehameha Statue at Wailoa Park in Hilo.

The 2017 class includes Kaohimanu Dang Akiona, MD, Svetlana Shchedrina, MD and Seren Tokumura, MD.

The Family Medicine Training Program was started to grow the number of primary care physicians on Hawai’i Island and address a growing shortage. The inaugural graduation is being called a “historic event” that is “20 years in the making.”

Chief Resident Dr. Svetlana Shchedrina. Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation.

Dr. Kā’ohimanu Dang Akiona. Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation.

Dr. Seren Tokumura. Photo courtesy of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation.

The following speakers will present at the graduation ceremony:

Welcome: Mary K. Nordling, MD, Residency Program Director
Program History: Craig Shikuma, MD

Special Message: Dan Brinkman, RN, MPA, East Hawai‘i Regional CEO of HHSC Kurt Corbin, Board Chair of East Hawai‘i Regional of HHSC Linda Rosen, MD, President & CEO of HHSC Mayor Harry Kim Hawai‘i, State Senators and Representatives, Hawai‘i County Council Members

Graduation: Dr. Kā’ohimanu Dang Akiona, Chief Resident Dr. Svetlana Shchedrina, Dr. Seren Tokumura

Closing Remarks: Julie Tulang, member, HHSC Corporate Board, HMC Foundation Trustee