Giesting Named State Healthcare Transformation Coordinator

By Wendy Osher

State of Hawaii seal, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced his selection of Beth Giesting as his choice for State Healthcare Transformation Coordinator.  The new position, created by executive order, is tasked with improving health care for Hawaii’s people and reducing costs of both Medicaid and the state’s employee healthcare system.

“Wisdom and foresight led to the establishment of the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act and put Hawai’i at the forefront of health care,” said Governor Abercrombie at a press conference this afternoon at Kapiolani Medical Center. “With Beth’s leadership and the dedication of our community and business partners, I am confident that Hawai’i will be a pioneer once again.”

Giesting is the current Chief Executive Officer for Hawai’i Primary Care Association, providing support to Hawai’i’s 14 community health centers. Under her leadership, the number of health centers more than doubled, now serving one in 10 Hawai’i residents.

She previously served as the executive director of the Kalihi-Palama Health Center and Services Administration of the Oahu Private Industry Council. Giesting earned her MS in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, and BA in History from Ball State University.

“We need and can have a healthcare system that encourages healthy behavior and coordinates care for better outcomes, lower costs, and improved patient and provider satisfaction,” said Giesting.  “I am so excited to be working toward these goals with Governor Abercrombie and with the healthcare community,” she said.

The Healthcare Transformation Coordinator position and an assistant are funded by a grant from the non-profit California Endowment, through the Hawai’i Community Foundation totaling $300,000 over two years.

Gov. Abercrombie also announced the addition of Dr. Thomas Tsang to the state’s healthcare transformation leadership team as a Senior Advisor to the Governor on Healthcare Transformation.  Dr. Tsang is currently employed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

*** Supporting information courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawai’i.