OSA Student Wellness
Services, Support, & Information
Welcome to the OSA Student Wellness Website. OSA strives to create and promote an environment that allows for vulnerability and imperfection to support self growth, self awareness, and self care. We work as a team and partner with you to support your growth not only as a student and medical professional, but also as a human being.
We hope you find this website useful; however, if you aren’t able to find the information you’re looking for or have feedback/suggestions, feel free to contact Dr. Burgess or Dr. Teranishi or leave anonymous feedback/suggestions at our electronic Suggestions & Feedback “Box”.
Title: Director of Student Affairs
Email: lburgess@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 692-1000
Title: Assistant Director of Student Affairs
Email: kteranis@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 692-1006
Visit the COVID-19 Resources & Updates page for COVID-19 related information, resources, and updates.
- General wellness support
- Adjusting to medical school
- Academic concerns
- Self esteem, identity concerns
- Normal reactions to common stressors
- Family concerns
- Health concerns (physical and mental)
- Mood/emotional concerns
- Friendship/relationship conflicts
- Disordered eating behaviors
- Substance abuse concerns
- Concern for classmate
- Title IX issues
- Financial Concerns
Academic Advising – Office of Medical Education (OME), Course Directors, LC Mentors, OSA
Career Counseling/Advising – OME and Clinical Faculty, OSA (Dr. Burgess & Dr. Teranishi), LC Mentors
General Wellness Counseling – OSA (Dr. Burgess & Dr. Teranishi), LC Mentors
For more detailed information on who you can talk to for advising and general counseling at OSA and LCs, please go to the Counseling and Mental Health Support & Services tab and look at the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), JABSOM and Learning Community Advisor/Mentor, JABSOM sections.
In writing the Dean’s letter, Drs. Burgess and Teranishi work closely with students in developing three topics that the student wants to highlight. Students review and help to modify these topic areas based on their desires. The remainder of the Dean’s letter is provided verbatim from course evaluations, and in certain situations, have some summary statements required by the AAMC. In short, the composition of the Dean’s letter should not deter a student from seeking counseling from OSA.
If you are seeking help from LC mentors or OSA faculty, confidentiality is respected. Oftentimes sharing information between selected faculty members or mentors is to the benefit of the student for coordinated and optimal support; however, the student should give approval for information to be shared among selected faculty and/or mentors.
Please note that LC mentors and OSA faculty are not Title IX confidential resources and would be required to report a Title IX issue if one is disclosed to them. LC mentors and OSA faculty can support you in reporting Title IX issues or refer you to a confidential resource whom you can speak openly to before making the choice whether or not to report the issue. For more information on who you can speak to about Title IX issues/reporting, please go to the pull down titled: I have a Title IX issue, and I feel very uncomfortable going to my LC mentor or OSA. Who can I go to?
Medical licensing boards have variable approaches to this problem, despite the fact that asking a question like this violates the American Disability Act (ADA). Some states ask if you have any illness that impairs your ability to be a physician, while others ask if you have a psychiatric diagnosis. The first implies that if you are under proper treatment, then you would answer no and not have to disclose your diagnosis. The second requires one to answer yes, even if you are under treatment. Answering yes may not bar you from state licensure, but it may mean that you are tracked as an “impaired provider.” The topic of state licensure is thoroughly reviewed, state by state, in a recent article Medical Licensure Questions About Mental Illness and Compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
For a summary of these services, go to our Counseling and Mental Health Support & Services tab. You will also find online mental health resources that do not require insurance under the Community Mental Health Providers & Services section within the same tab.
Crisis hotlines and the emergency room should be utilized for crisis situations.
You can also anonymously report concerns about professionalism at JABSOM via JABSOM’s Professionalism Concern Form. The Ombudsman reviews the reports weekly and will notify leadership of the relevant department, program, or office.
You are encouraged to contact your Learning Community Mentor at any time if you have any questions or concerns and they can help direct you to the appropriate resources. One of the main objectives of Learning Communities is also to assist students in well-being. The Learning Community curriculum has sessions specifically designed to address well-being.
You may also speak to a confidential resource before deciding whether or not to speak to a Title IX officer. Confidential Advocates, Health Services, and Mental Health Counselors are designated as confidential resources on your campus. Going to a Confidential Resource will not put UH on notice of a specific allegation.
Confidential Resources provide a variety of services including:
- Mental health support and counseling
- Safety Planning
- Navigating and accessing your rights and resources on and off campus
- Assistance with deciding whether you would like to report to the University
- Assistance with reporting to local police
Below are general guidelines for who you can reach out to at OSA based on different concerns that commonly affect student well-being. However, feel free to reach out to OSA faculty member(s) of your preference. Reaching out to an OSA faculty or staff member is not limited to the issues listed below. For a full listing of OSA faculty and staff members, please visit About OSA.
Lawrence Burgess, MD Director of Office of Student Affairs lburgess@hawaii.edu Kristen Teranishi, MD |
Dr. Burgess and Dr. Teranishi have administrative knowledge of how students can manage an issue or problem. You can seek out either of them for the following:
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Sharleen Chock, PhD Learning Specialist sharleen.chock@hawaii.edu |
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Helen Helmlinger Scholarship Director & Financial Aid Counselor medfas@hawaii.edu |
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Learning Communities (LCs) faculty:
- Learning Community Co-Director: Vanessa Wong, MD
Email: wongvanz@hawaii.edu - Learning Community Co-Director: Kyra Len, MD
Email: kyra@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 797-4970
Website: Haylin Dennison, LCSW
Address: 401 Kamakee Street, Suite 305, Honolulu, HI 96814
Sessions: Saturdays, 8:00am – 3:00pm
Secondary Confidential Counselor: Monique Haas, LMHC
Phone: (808) 797-4970
Website: Haylin Dennison, LCSW
Address: 401 Kamakee Street, Suite 305, Honolulu, HI 96814
Sessions: Thursdays, 5:00pm – 9:00pm, Telehealth Only
JABSOM medical students can receive confidential counseling with licensed clinical therapist Haylin Dennison, LCSW.
- Students can schedule an appointment through the website or by phone
- On the website, scroll down to the Work with Me section and click on Learn More under For Health Care Professionals to request an appointment
- Telehealth sessions will be provided
- In-person counseling sessions may be requested
- Service is free, however, students needing long-term care will be transitioned to payment through their health insurance plan and referred to a provider in the community
- Referral to Haylin for long-term service or through other therapists in her group may be possible depending on demand
- CSDC offers a variety of counseling services — personal counseling, couples, group counseling, career counseling, peer support spaces, psychiatric consultation and emergency / crisis services to meet the needs of students in support of their academic, career, and personal goals. All appointments are currently held via telehealth (Zoom)
- There is no cost or insurance needed for CSDC counseling services as services are included in your Student Health Fee
- Therapists are familiar with issues commonly affecting students
- Services are confidential (nothing is reported to JABSOM) and counselors are also Title IX confidential resources
- Students can meet with a CSDC counselor for 4-6 sessions. Students needing longer-term or specialist services can get help through CSDC with referrals to providers outside of UH
- Students can explore other CSDC offerings such as skills based workshops and student support spaces. Offerings particularly relevant to JABSOM students are listed in the JABSOM Student Wellness Calendar.
Establishing service with CSDC:
- Takes 2 – 3 weeks to set up sessions (4 – 6 sessions)
- All students start off with a brief telephone “screener” appointment with a CSDC counselor before initiating services. Students call (808) 956-7927 to schedule an initial telephone screener during CSDC business hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30pm
- CSDC psychologist then does initial meeting and sets up referral to CSDC psychologist
CSDC Crisis services are available Monday – Friday (except holidays) 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by calling (808) 956-7927.
If you need to talk to someone on an emergency basis after 4:30 p.m. or during weekends and holidays, you may choose to call the Crisis Line of Hawaiʻi at (808) 832-3100.
- Vetted List of Mental Health Providers:
This list of mental health care providers was vetted by psychiatrist Dr. Anthony Guerrero. The providers listed shouldn’t have an affiliation with JABSOM, but please double check with staff before making an appointment with a provider. - Psychology Today Database:
This database is provides a simple way to search providers based on information such as location of practice, type of insurance accepted, types of therapy practiced, gender of provider, credentials, specialties, etc. Your search will yield results containing detailed bios and information about each therapist. - Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) Locator:
If you are looking for a licensed psychologist or an HPA member mental health professional, this on-line locator can help you locate and obtain contact information for licensed providers. - Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC):
This center provides a breadth of services for those who have experienced sexual assault recently or in the past.
Online Mental Health Services:
- HMSA Online Care App:
HMSA’s Online Care is available to anyone in Hawaii, 18 years or older. You don’t have to be an HMSA member to use Online Care. In addition to mental health care providers, over 900 healthcare providers were added (since COVID) for this online care service. There’s usually not more than a 10-minute wait to see a provider.Cost: For HMSA members your cost is between $0 to $15 depending on your health plan. The cost will show on the page before you begin. It’s also available in your Guide to Benefits in My Account on the HMSA website.
For non-HMSA members: Your cost depends on the provider you choose. It will show on the page before you start your visit.
- Hawaii Pro Bono Mental Health Center:
No cost telehealth services for those without health care insurance. - Physician Support Line:
This free, confidential support line is staffed by psychiatrists. It provides support for medical students, residents, and fellows, 8am-1am Eastern Time, 7 days a week. Visit the website or call (888) 409-0141.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room
- Hawaii Cares – 24/7 Crisis Line of Hawaii at (808) 832-3100 (Oahu); 1-(800)-753- 6879 (Neighbor Island). This is a free local, mental health and substance use call center. Support adults and adolescents through crisis, treatment, and recovery.
- Ku Makani by Hawaii CARES – COVID crisis counseling support by phone Oahu (808) 832-3100 or toll-free 1 (800) 753-6879; free online virtual group sessions and more.
- Crisis Text Line – text ALOHA to 741-741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK
- Lifeline Crisis Chat – Online Messaging
- Self-Harm Hotline – 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
- National Crisis Line – Anorexia & Bulimia (1-800-233-4357)
- GLBT National Help Center Hotline – 1-888-843-4564
- National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line – 1-800-622-2255
- Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) – 24/7 Hotline for sexual assault victims at (808) 524-7273
WWAFD events begin with a brief presentation on a health topic followed by a walk together around Kakaako Waterfront Park. The walks take place every 4th Sunday of the month. However, it is always best to contact WWAFD at walkwithadocjabsom@gmail.com regarding upcoming walks.
Please visit the Mauli webpage for current and past issues, submission information, and Mauli events.
To learn about how a medical student’s firsthand experiences as a hospital patient inspired the creation of Mauli, visit JABSOM UH Med Now and University of Hawaii News.
- A discussion on physician burnout and medical student well-being that was followed by a students-only discussion about what challenges (and successes) encountered thus far in medical school. (Stephen Yano, MD Pediatrician, Instructor for The Healer’s Art course)
- “What is Qi?” and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Five Element Theory and the basic principles of acupuncture. (Paige Yang, L.Ac, DACM)
- Functional Medicine (In Partnership with the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii) A presentation on functional medicine and food as medicine. (Laurie Marbas, MD)
- Mindfulness based stress reduction workshop (Ashley Ono, MD, hospitalist at Straub Medical Center, where she also offers mindfulness workshops for physicians and other healthcare providers.)
- Addressing SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Distress & Maintaining Mental Health (Anthony Guerrero, MD, JABSOM Department of Psychiatry)
For more information on HHIG and its activities, email jabsomhhig@gmail.com.
The UH Manoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC) is offering free access to Kognito – an online program that can equip you with knowledge and skills to recognize trauma or distress. Kognito At-Risk for Students allows students to practice conversations with a simulated friend in distress and develop a self-care plan with the guidance from a virtual coach. Modules can be completed in multiple sittings and the whole program takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Participants receive a certificate of completion and can use the program as many times as they wish.
To access the Kognito At-Risk for Students simulation:
- Go to the Kognito website
- Create a new account (please be sure to read the privacy policy)
- Use enrollment key: manoastudent
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- Choose your simulation and click “LAUNCH”
- Classes are held in the UH Cancer Center’s Wellness Center
- Class participants need to fill out consent and emergency contact forms. Forms need to be filled out for each class (eg., form for Yoga, form for Zumba, etc.). Forms are available from each instructor and are valid for the academic year.
- Due to COVID, in-person classes were put on hold; however, we are slowly re-integrating modified in-person classes back into the schedule. For more information, please see the listing of Kakaako Wellness Classes below.
Kakaako Wellness Classes:
HULA
Classes are on hold pending new instructor. Mahalo nui to Kumu Hula Jessica Warmoth for graciously volunteering her time to teach and share her love of hula with the JABSOM and UHCC community for the past seven years. We wish her the best in retirement!
ZUMBA
Starting June 1, 2022, Zumba classes are no longer offered.
YOGA
In person classes are currently on hold.
TAI CHI CHUAN (TAIJIQUAN)
In person classes have resumed.
Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00pm with simultaneous Zoom option
Class Coordinator: Chip Ellis
Class Information: Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is frequently viewed as a slow motion form of Chinese moving meditation, exercise, or martial art. Millions of people around the world practice this art as a way to relieve stress, gain flexibility, strength, and mental focus. It is useful to improve balance and enhance health. Dating back to the 1700’s in China, it began as a powerful martial art. In the 1930’s it was popularized across China, and by the 1950’s it had spread around the world. The Wednesday class is presented by instructors from The Hawaii Wushu Center who have 40+ years of experience practicing and teaching this art. For more information, please visit the following websites: Hawaii Wushu Center or Chip Ellis.
Please contact Chip Ellis at (808) 457-5844 or cellis@ucera.org if you have questions or would like to join the class via Zoom.
BAGUA ZHANG (BAGUAZHANG)
In person classes have resumed starting May 2022.
Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:45pm with simultaneous Zoom option
Class Coordinator: Chip Ellis
Class Information: Bagua Zhang (Baguazhang) is a powerful Chinese martial that was developed in the 1800’s and was used by the security forces of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, in the early 1900’s. It is widely known in China, but is not that familiar to those in other parts of the world. It features vigorous movements and provides the player with a good workout, and self-defense skills. The Thursday class instructor is from The Hawaii Wushu Center and has 40+ years of experience practicing and teaching this art. For more information on the art, please visit the Yin Family Baguazhang website.
Please contact Chip Ellis at (808) 457-5844 or cellis@ucera.org if you have questions or would like to join the class via Zoom.
PING PONG CLUB
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 5:00 – 7:00pm
Class Information: The UH Cancer Center Ping Pong Club is where top players can meet and train along with faculty, staff and students from the University of Hawaii. The Ping Pong Club was founded and is run by Dr. Michele Carbone. The club is fortunate to have Carlos Ko, the number one Nationally ranked player in the State of Hawaiʻi for the past 10 years, serve as an advisor. At this time due to COVID-19 protocols, a maximum of 12 players are allowed in the room at any given time. There are 4 tables, which normally accommodate a maximum of 8 players. If you are interested in joining the club, you may contact Carlos at (808) 688-3356 to see when there is space available.
Current workshops include: A Mindful Way through a Pandemic, Better Sleep for Better Health, and Time & Stress Management.
Sessions are held on the first Friday of every month from 1:00-1:30 (30 minutes) via Zoom.
For more information, contact: uhgme@hawaii.edu or Crystal Costa, costaca@hawaii.edu.
Please visit the Mauli webpage for current and past issues, submission information, and Mauli events.
- A discussion on physician burnout and medical student well-being that was followed by a students-only discussion about what challenges (and successes) encountered thus far in medical school. (Stephen Yano, MD Pediatrician, Instructor for The Healer’s Art course)
- “What is Qi?” and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Five Element Theory and the basic principles of acupuncture. (Paige Yang, L.Ac, DACM)
- Functional Medicine (In Partnership with the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii) A presentation on functional medicine and food as medicine. (Laurie Marbas, MD)
- Mindfulness based stress reduction workshop (Ashley Ono, MD, hospitalist at Straub Medical Center, where she also offers mindfulness workshops for physicians and other healthcare providers.)
- Addressing SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Distress & Maintaining Mental Health (Anthony Guerrero, MD, JABSOM Department of Psychiatry)
For more information on HHIG and its activities, email jabsomhhig@gmail.com.