McDowell named medical director for Kona Community, Kohala hospitals

Dr. Richard McDowell has accepted the position of medical director for the Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s West Hawaii Region, which includes Kona Community and Kohala hospitals. He assumes the role on Dec. 1.

“We welcome Dr. McDowell as the new medical director,” said Jay Kreuzer, Kona Community Hospital CEO. “He is a valued member of our health care community with extensive medical expertise. As a long-time community member, Dr. McDowell understands the challenges of rural health care and the unique nature of our public hospital system. We’re very pleased that he is stepping into this physician leadership role.”

McDowell, MD, FACEP, replaces Kathleen Rokavec, MD, who left the position at the end of April.

McDowell, who has more than 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, is currently the director of Emergency Medicine at Kona Community Hospital, a position he has held since July 2001. He is also the hospital’s Trauma Program medical director.

McDowell previously served as chairman of Emergency Medicine, clinical associate professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director. He is currently a member of the board of directors for the West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corp., senior examiner of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, councillor of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

McDowell received an undergraduate degree in biology from Stanford University and a medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Founded in 1914, Kona Community Hospital is a 94-bed, full-service acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency department recently designated as a Level III trauma center. It is a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, an agency of the State of Hawaii established in 1996. It is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.