Hawai‘i Primary Care Association names new CEO to strengthen healthcare access statewide

Hawai‘i Primary Care Association’s Board of Directors invites the community to welcome its new chief executive officer Emily Chung.

Chung assumed her new role Jan. 5, succeeding former association chief Robert Hirokawa, who retired at the end of 2025.

The new chief executive officer has more than 2 decades of public health leadership experience as well as a proven track record in advancing community well-being.

She brings expertise and vision to Hawai‘i Primary Care Association’s mission of supporting community health centers and advancing accessible health care throughout the state.

Chung is passionate about ensuring all people live healthy, thriving lives and have the resources to achieve healthy outcomes. She has worked in nonprofit and local government, most recently serving as public health director for Santa Cruz County in California.

She has a bachelor of arts degree from University of California, Berkeley, and master of public health degree from University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health.

Chung also is a master certified health education specialist and Lean Six Sigma – green belt certified.

“We are delighted to welcome Emily as our new [chief executive officer],” said Ko‘olauloa Health Center chief executive officer and chairman of the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association’s board Terrence Aratani in an announcement about Chung’s appointment. “Her proven expertise in strategic and policy leadership in public health — along with a demonstrated history of working across governmental, community-based and healthcare sectors — aligns perfectly with [Hawai‘i Primary Care Association’s] strategic priorities.”

Aratani added that her leadership will be instrumental in driving innovation and advancing the association’s commitment to ensuring high-quality, accessible primary care for all communities throughout Hawai‘i.

Chung also is enthusiastic about her new post.

“I am excited to join [Hawai‘i Primary Care Association] and work alongside our dedicated staff, health centers and partners,” she said in the release. “My career began in a community health center, and I am honored to lead [Hawai‘i Primary Care Association] at a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunities in health care. Together, we will champion innovation and wellness to ensure every community in Hawai‘i receives the care they deserve.”

Her position is responsible for guiding the association’s strategic direction, advocacy efforts and member services, collaborating with community health centers and partners statewide to strengthen access to care.

Hawai‘i Primary Care Association has worked more than 30 years on behalf of vulnerable populations throughout the islands, helping establish access to primary health care services for everyone.

Visit the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association website to learn more about the association and its initiatives.