Two healthcare professionals from Hawaii Medical Center were honored with prestigious awards from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Linda Wong, M.D., medical director of the hospital's Liver Transplant program, was named the 2010 Physician of the Year, while Tusitala Toomata-Mayer, R.N., Cancer Screening and Education Program coordinator, received the Professional with Heart Award. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii awards recognize their ongoing commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for all of Hawaii's residents.

"We are extremely proud of these individuals as both are exemplary role models for Hawaii Medical Center," said Dr. Collin Dang, MD, chief executive officer of Hawaii Medical Center. "We appreciate their dedication and commitment to delivering superior healthcare to our patients."

Dr. Wong has been giving patients the gift of life through her work at the Transplant Institute of the Pacific. She is the medical director of HMC'S liver transplant program as well as the Organ Donor Center of Hawaii. A recognized and respected researched, Dr. Wong joined the University of Hawaii's Cancer Research Center. She also holds many professional affiliation such as the including The Transplant Society, American Medical Association, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases, Board of Director for the Hawaii Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, to name a few.

Toomata-Mayer has been an advocate for HMC's Thoracic Tumor Clinic, Cancer Screening and Education Program and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. An avid supporter for the fight against cancer, she coordinates and facilitates cancer screening educational activities, seminars, and outreach activities throughout the year. In addition, Toomata-Mayer is a nurse consultant to Catholic Charities of Hawaii's Development/Disability Program, facilitator for the Leukemia and Lymphoma's monthly support group, and a board member for the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure.

Founded in 1939, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii is a non-profit trade association representing the full spectrum of health care, including hospitals, long term care facilities, and home care and hospice providers.

About Hawaii Medical Center LLC

Hawaii Medical Center LLC is a partnership of CHA LLC, a leading U.S. hospital management company, and the over 130 Hawaii-based physicians who form Hawaii Physician Group LLC. Hawaii Medical Center is a full-service, acute and tertiary-care hospital system on Oahu with two campuses Hawaii Medical Center East and Hawaii Medical Center West.