This guide was developed in collaboration with Dr. Maria Chun, JABSOM Faculty. If any future changes are planned, please contact Dr. Chun at 808-586-2925 or email: mariachu@hawaii.edu.
Native Hawaiian MD graduates join with department faculty, medical school and UH leadership and loved ones in a Kiheī Ceremony at JABSOM in 2012.
Cultural competency efforts are an integral part of the curriculum in undergraduate and graduate medical education.
Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, organization, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. "Culture" refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, actions, customs, beliefs, and institutions of racial, ethnic, social, or religious groups. "Competence" implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual or an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, practices, and needs presented by patients and their communities (Cross et. al).
JABSOM, as part of the fabric of Hawai`i, is a diverse learning community committed to excellence and leadership in:
Cross T L, Bazron B J, Dennis K W, et al. Towards a culturally competent system of care, Volume 1: A Monograph on effective services for minority children who are severely emotionally disturbed. Washington, DC: National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Georgetown University Child Development Center; 1989.
The following resources provide health information on a variety of health topics in many languages.
This guide, the 8th edition (2020), provides a compilation of cultural competency initiatives within the John A. Burns School of Medicine. It is compiled and updated annually by Maria B.J. Chun, PhD, and other faculty, staff, and students.
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