HMAConnect

Conversations at HMA, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - Primary Care on the Pulse: Policies Shaping Hawai'i's Primary Care in the 2026 Hawai'i State Legislature

Conversations at HMA is pleased to welcome our HMA Public Policy Committee (PPC). They will lead a focused discussion on the specific bills active in the state legislature that cover: * Access to Primary Care * Mitigating Federal Budget Cuts * Covering Underinsured Patients * The Primary Care Workforce - Quality of Care, Loan Repayment, and the Preceptor Tax Credit Advocacy is one of the primary functions of HMA, and the Public Policy Committee invests an enormous amount of hours combing through bills, preparing testimonies, contacting fellow physicians, and speaking with state leaders. Our panel for this Conversation: Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD - PPC Chair Christina Marzo, MD & Robert Carlisle, MD - PPC Vice Chairs

Conversations at HMA - Exploring the Possible HPH-HMSA Affiliation and Its Impact

On December 18, 2025, a special edition of Conversations at HMA brought together representatives from Hawai'i's three largest healthcare providers: Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH), The Queen's Health Systems, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. These three thought leaders shared their assessment on Hawai'i's healthcare environment, how all providers affect its landscape, and their visions towards making healthcare accessible, equitable, and sustainable for Hawai'i's people. They also discussed the potential affiliation between HPH and HMSA, and how this may impact our healthcare environment. The panelists are: Raymond Vara, Jr. President & CEO, Hawaii Pacific Health Jason Chang President & CEO, the Queen's Health Systems Edmund Chan President, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals in Hawaii Nadine Tenn Salle, MD President, Hawaii Medical Association Moderator

Interview with Legacy of Life Hawai'i

This episode of HMAConnect interviews Albert Newmann, Director of Hospital Services, and Sean Cervone, Family Services Coordinator, from Legacy of Life Hawai'i. Legacy of Life Hawai’i is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and the only organization in Hawai'i federally designated to recover organs and tissue for transplant. Legacy of Life Hawai`i works closely with our island hospitals to cultivate an understanding in our diverse communities that life is worth giving.

Immunization Updates with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association

Our guest today is Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, Member of the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Fryhofer, a board-certified physician of internal medicine, was elected as a trustee in June 2018 and served as chair of the board in 2022–23. A graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Fryhofer also maintains a full-time general internal medicine private practice in Atlanta. Among her numerous positions, she has served as AMA’s liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Fixing Prior Authorization: Interview with Emily Carroll, AMA's Advocacy Department

In this episode of HMAConnect, we speak with Emily Carroll, Senior Attorney for the American Medical Association’s Advocacy Department, on the subject of prior authorization. In this position, Ms. Carroll provides legislative, regulatory and policy support to state and national medical specialty societies.  Her work centers on commercial payer practices and state health insurance reforms in support of patients and physicians. She received her law degree from the Chicago Kent College of Law, a Master of Social Work degree and Certificate in Health Care Administration and Policy from the University of Chicago, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.