Wes Lo Announces Departure from Maui Memorial Medical Center

Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Wesley Lo. Bill signing ceremony at Maui Memorial Medical Center. (06.10.15) Photo credit: Ryan Piros/County of Maui.

Wesley Lo, Chief Executive Officer of HHSC’s Maui Region today announced that he will be moving on from the Maui hospital to a new career path effective July 1, 2016.

In a letter to the staff and medical staff of the Maui Region, the hospital foundation and the auxiliary, Lo said, “It has always been my goal to leave this special place better than when I joined and I have uncompromised faith in our Region’s future in Kaiser’s most capable hands.  This landmark transfer agreement (and preceding legislation) ensures a more sure future for healthcare on Maui, and I am proud to have played a role in this milestone for our community.”

Lo said he was “overwhelmed with optimism” when he first joined the Maui Region family.  “The opportunity certainly presented some challenges, but walking through the hospital I was in awe of the talent and potential we held here.  Countless patients, community leaders and partners have walked our halls and all with that same sentiment–the Maui Region consists of compassionate, talented and committed staff who work selflessly on behalf of others.”

He continued saying, “Now as we wind down Maui Region as we have come to know it, I feel a renewed sense of optimism and excitement.  The services that we have always sought to provide are becoming a relaity.  Kaiser is taking careful effort to blend the strength of our community with theirs, and adding the resources required for sustainability and growth.”

Lo expressed a desire to see this transition through to completion, but said, “Kaiser should and will choose its own leadership team without the pressure of my incumbency.”

He concluded saying, “Please know that throughout my career I have never known a greater sense of family in the workplace.  When I first joined 13 years ago, there had been countless changes in leadership, yet you welcomed me in with open arms–each one of you have played a part in coaching me, partnering with me and teaching me about the kind of courage required to work in healthcare.  It has been my privilege and my honor to serve alongside you, and I hope that you know how much it has meant to me and my family to be a part of the heartbeat of Maui County.  I appreciate and cherish all of you and I will never forget all you have done not only for me, but for the community.”

During a recent Maui Regional Board Quality Committee Meeting, members reflected on a few improvements and accomplishments since 2004 and acknowledged and thanked Lo and the hospital management for the success.  Highlights include the following:

• 2004: Maui Memorial Medical Center opens its new Cardiovascular wing in February
• 2006: Maui Memorial Medical Center opens its new 75,000 square feet Kahului Tower in November.  The new Kahului Tower is home to an expanded admitting, family waiting area, PT/OT, 20 bed and four procedure rooms, ambulatory service center, 16-bed ICU/CCU floor and a 24-bed Medical/Surgical floor.  Maui Memorial Medical Center is licensed for 213 beds.
• 2007: Regionalization of HHSC.  Act 290 allowing custodial control of assets.
• 2008: In November, Emergency Department expansion and renovation project wa completed. MMMC hires a Cardiothoracic Surgeion and first procedure performed.  Maui Regional Board formed.
• 2009: Act 182 (SLLH 2009) Legislation for Organizational and operational changes.  In particular the authority to transition into different types of legal entities.  Began preliminary discussions with St. Joseph’s of Orange, kaiser, Adventist-West.
• 2010: MMMC providing Interventional cardiology services with the employment of two physicians.
• 2011: In September, Heliport completed for point to point helicopter patient transport.
• 2014: New in-patient nine-bed Dialysis floor opened for treatment.  Maui Lani III Clinic opened with outpatient clinic for Cardiovascular, Oncology, Gastroenterology and Orthopedic services.  Neurosurgery services also provided.  Completed conversion to EMR.
• 2015: New MRI/CT building opens for service with a state-of-the-art 3.0T MRI and 320 Slice CT installed in the new building.  Act 290 to allow privatization of Maui Hospitals.