Medical clinics offer help for Big Island children

BY CHELSEA JENSEN

WEST HAWAII TODAY

cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com

Shriners Hospital for Children is headed to the Big Island to connect pediatric doctors with young patients who need their specialized care.

The Honolulu-based hospital, which serves Hawaii and the Asia and Pacific regions, will have outreach clinics at two West Hawaii locations Feb. 27 through 29, said Sandy Zukeran, the nonprofit hospital's outreach coordinator.

The clinics are held on Hawaii Island semiannually, offering neighbor island residents an opportunity for children under age 18 to see specialized doctors without making the trip to Oahu, said Dr. Craig Ono, the hospital's interim chief of staff. The hospital has three pediatric surgeons on staff.

"We are trying to enhance the level of care we provide throughout the state of Hawaii for pediatric work," Ono said, noting just one other pediatric surgeon outside the children's hospital travels to the outer islands. "There are no others. We're the pediatric surgeons who are sub-specialized in taking care of the musculoskeletal problems in children."

The first clinic is slated for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, said Zukeran, who confirmed the Hilton will validate parking for visiting patients. Clinics will also be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 8 a.m. to noon on Feb. 29 at Kona Baptist Church, located on Puuloa Road north of the Keauhou Fire Station.

The Shriners Hospital for Children-Honolulu is a 24-bed orthopedic hospital providing care for children with bone, joint and neuromuscular conditions, said Zukeran.

About 200 to 250 of the hospital's 9,519 active patients reside on Hawaii Island, Ono said. Children who require ongoing treatment make arrangements to visit the Honolulu hospital, he said before noting the hospital has programs to help cover the associated expenses.

Among the most common conditions Ono said he sees on Hawaii Island are congenital deformities of the limbs, such as club foot, and neuromuscular diseases, such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Treatment ranges from surgery to long-term bracing and nonoperative procedures that, over time, can correct the condition, he said.

"There are certainly things we can do to improve the situation and their overall health and ability to walk and to use their hands," he said. In the case of club foot, "we can make the foot so that it functions in a more normal manner. It is a long process, but what we found is by investing time and energy into the process, the feet will function quite well."

A doctor referral is helpful, but not necessary, to receive treatment, Ono said. New patients will have to fill out paperwork. To schedule an appointment, call Zukeran at 951-3614 or 375-9479.

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Medical clinics offer help for Big Island children