HHSC West Hawai’i Names New Medical Director

A new Medical Director for the Hawai’i Health Systems Corporation West Hawai’i Region has been named.

Richard McDowell, MD, FACEP, has accepted the Medical Director position, which covers Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital.

McDowell is currently the Director of Emergency Medicine at Kona Community Hospital, as well as the hospital’s Trauma Medical Director. With over 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, McDowell fits the mold of his new position with great merit.

McDowell earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Stanford University and his medical degree from UCLA in Los Angeles.

“We welcome Dr. McDowell as the new medical director,” said Jay Kreuzer, CEO of Kona Community Hospital. “He is a valued member of our healthcare community with extensive medical expertise. As a long-time community member, Dr. McDowell understands the challenges of rural healthcare and the unique nature of our public health system. We’re very pleased that he is stepping into this physician leadership role.”

Included among the many roles that McDowell has held are Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director.

He currently serves as a member of the Board of Director for the West Hawai’i Region of HHSC, Senior Examiner of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, Councillor of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

McDowell’s duties are scheduled to begin on Dec. 1, 2014.