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The University of Hawaiʻi is launching an exploratory effort to strengthen coordination between the UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and the UH Cancer Center, which are located next to each other on the same property in Kakaʻako. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in health sciences research, education and community service, and support Hawaiʻi’s growing health workforce needs.
Over the past decade, the UH units emerged as a major hub for health sciences innovation and partnership, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, clinicians and community organizations. UH leaders say that greater alignment across the two academic and research units could build on that momentum and help expand access to care across the islands.
In a January 14 message sent to the JABSOM and UH Cancer Center employees, UH President Wendy Hensel, UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno and JABSOM Dean Samuel Shomaker emphasized that the initial phase will be exploratory and collaborative.
“As we look ahead, we have a shared opportunity to build on this foundation so that our work is even more impactful for the people of Hawaiʻi,” the message noted. “This initial phase will focus on identifying areas where shared administrative services, joint planning and enhanced communication can support our collective mission.”
The effort will examine opportunities related to facilities and campus operations, fiscal and grants administration, clinical research support and other core functions essential to academic and research excellence. UH leaders stressed that there are no plans to eliminate positions as part of the exploration.
“This exploratory work will preserve and strengthen the distinct missions of both institutions, JABSOM’s medical education and academic autonomy, and the UH Cancer Center’s National Cancer Institute designation and programmatic leadership, while seeking efficiencies and synergies that support both,” stated the university leaders in the message.
A working group representing both units will convene in early 2026 to help inform next steps. The coordination effort will be conducted in an open, consultative and transparent manner with continued engagement of faculty, staff, students and partners.
Read the original published story on the UH News website.
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About the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, and inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
The UH Cancer Center is one of only 74 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), representing a significant mark of excellence, and is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The center contributes more than $57 million to Hawaiʻi's economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities.
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.
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