Queens Health Systems collaborate to provide ‘enlightened’ cancer care to Hawaiians
The Queen’s Health Systems, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, joined a new collaborative initiative — called Ka Umeke Lama, or “Bowl of Enlightenment” in Hawaiian — that aims to transform cancer care across the islands.
In Hawaii, over 7,000 residents are diagnosed with invasive cancer annually, and 2,000 residents die each year of cancer. As the population continues to age and the need for cancer care grows, the Ka Umeke Lama initiative aims to improve access to care and cancer outcomes through research, workforce development and culturally informed practices.
Specific plans include the creation of a centralized clinical research database; the launch of clinical trials that address cancer disparities among different populations; deployment of oncology providers and early detection units to rural and underserved areas; the development of telehealth systems; and use of artificial intelligence-based clinical trial screening and monitoring tools.
Additionally, Queen’s Health Systems has partnered with the University of Hawaii Cancer Center to provide oncology care in a newly constructed hospital wing — a collaborative project with the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the members of which also form the Ka Umeke Lama Initiative. This partnership offers early-phase clinical trial treatments, so patients won’t have to travel to other states to receive cutting-edge care options.