{"id":221451,"date":"2025-09-08T10:44:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T20:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=221451"},"modified":"2025-09-08T12:30:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:30:49","slug":"kmtt-4th-cohort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/08\/kmtt-4th-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaua\u02bbi medical program builds pipeline to address physician shortage"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"KMTT
KMTT<\/abbr>‘s 4th cohort: Sasha Rovinsky, Amy Odaira, Nadia Apo Takayama, Ma Carmela Therese Angaran, Kylah Slane and Thomas Gausepohl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Thomas Gausepohl, returning to his hometown of Kapaʻa<\/span> to study medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>) is more than a dream come true—it\u2019s a chance to give back. As part of the Kauaʻi<\/span> Medical Training Track<\/a>\u2019s fourth cohort, Gausepohl joins a growing number of local students learning to serve their own communities through a unique rural health initiative that’s transforming care on the Garden Isle.<\/p>\n

Established with a $10 million gift from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, the Kauaʻi<\/span> Medical Training Track (KMTT<\/abbr>), aims to cultivate a dedicated cohort of physicians committed to serving rural communities. “Mark and I are so pleased to see the Kauaʻi<\/span> Medical Training Track welcome its fourth cohort,” said Chan. “With 22 students now in the pipeline, the program will help meet Kauaʻi<\/span>\u2019s medical needs for years to come.”<\/p>\n

Related 糖心视频<\/abbr> News<\/em> story: $10M<\/abbr> gift helps address Kauaʻi<\/span> physician shortage<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Training rooted in community<\/h2>\n

Administered by JABSOM<\/abbr>, the program offers an immersive training experience on Kauaʻi<\/span>, allowing medical students to live, learn and train on the island for up to 15 months throughout their four–year education.<\/p>\n

“Rather than a brief rotation, this pathway integrates students into the fabric of Kauaʻi<\/span> so when they graduate, it will be an easier transition for them to return to the community,” said Travis Hong, director of rural training at JABSOM<\/abbr>. “In addition to building medical knowledge, we\u2019re developing community connections and long–term commitment.” Students accepted into the program receive extensive support, including tuition, housing and transportation, in exchange for a four–year post–graduation commitment to practice on Kauaʻi<\/span>. While open to all applicants, the program prioritizes those with local ties or a demonstrated interest in rural medicine.<\/p>\n

“Learning alongside doctors and preceptors who serve in Kauaʻi<\/span>\u2019s rural health system will be invaluable,” said Gausepohl, who was born in Kapaʻa<\/span> and graduated valedictorian from Kapaʻa<\/span> High School. “I think it will definitely help me see what this kind of work looks like day to day, and what it means to be part of a team that\u2019s truly serving the community.”<\/p>\n

Strong support, growing impact<\/h2>\n

Learning alongside doctors and preceptors who serve in Kauaʻi<\/span>\u2019s rural health system will be invaluable.
—Thomas Gausepohl<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Since its launch, KMTT<\/abbr> has attracted increasing interest, drawing numerous applicants for each of the available six slots. It has also generated strong support among Kauaʻi<\/span> physicians, with 35–40 volunteering as educators and 22 serving as core faculty—all actively practicing on the island.<\/p>\n

“Word–of–mouth and media exposure have helped the program grow organically,” said Hong. “And we\u2019re seeing how this kind of sustained, place–based medical education really makes a difference–not only for the students, but for the entire Kauaʻi<\/span> health care system.” <\/p>\n

Kirra Borrello, a fourth–year medical student and a member of the first KMTT<\/abbr> cohort, said the program changed the way she thinks about medicine.<\/p>\n

“Participation in KMTT<\/abbr> has significantly broadened my medical education by combining principles of community engagement and service into traditional clinical training,” she said. “Working closely with the Kauaʻi<\/span> community preceptors throughout my third year has highlighted the importance of cultural competence and social determinants of health in delivering patient–centered care, especially in a tight–knit rural community such as Kauaʻi<\/span>.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

JABSOM<\/abbr>\u2019s fourth Kauaʻi<\/span> cohort trains to serve their own communities through a rural health initiative.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":221505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1307,31,1466,319,9],"class_list":["post-221451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-family-medicine-and-community-health","tag-john-a-burns-school-of-medicine","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-uh-foundation","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t