[ INSIDE HAWAII INC. ]
Ko Miyataki, once and current president of the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific's Rehab Foundation, counts on the support of those the organization has helped.
Rehab foundation
draws Miyataki backWhat brought you back to Rehab?
Ko Miyataki
>> New job: President of the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific's Rehab Foundation>> Experience: Miyataki previously led the foundation starting in 1988, then left in 2001 to work for the Kamehameha Schools Ke Alii Pauahi Foundation.
Rehab is interesting because I think I never left in a sense. It was always part of my life. Whether it's a job or just in the spirit of people taking care. It's almost like a philosophy. When I was asked to return, it was not a difficult decision.
Will you see more patients as the general population ages?
We see about 8,000 patients a year. I think if you look at the baby boomers, they're going to hit 65 in 2011. At that point, we expect to see increased demand. It's growing very slowly but very clearly. We're living longer. Because we are living longer, you do have complication from age and this is what Rehab deals with. The spirit is larger than dealing with a stroke. It's a matter of healing the physical as well as the spiritual and emotional. Rehab is a community resource. It's a critical community resource because 85 percent of our patients go home and family are able to take care of their loved ones. That helps our patients maximize independence. In 1988, when I started here, the length of stay was 35 days. If you look at health care and insurance, a lot of the length of stay is determined by reimbursement. Now the length of stay is closer to 14 days. The national average is about 12.
How will you handle the continuing aging of the population?
The foundation holds events and networks with the community to provide enrichment programs for patients. The hospital is like a business. The foundation is to network and enrich their experiences here. We're going on a capital campaign. We're launching it probably next year. We're rebuilding onto our hospital. Studies have shown an increase in the population will require more hospital facilities. Gill/Balsano Consulting is out of Atlanta and they are going to do a study for us. Depending on the study, we're going to decide how much to build, but the ball park is $11 million. If you look at the 2003 population, the total potential acute cases needing rehab was 2,600. We served about 2,000 of those. We serve about 75 percent. We also are studying whether outer islands need their own in-patient facilities. For now, they must come here for in-patient services. Hawaii has one of the longest life expectancies in the nation.
How do you raise funds?
The community helps us subsidize the quality of service for patients. When you think about it, as you enhance the patients, they maximize their potential, their independence, and go back to work. It helps the entire system. Welfare caregivers stay home: It's really costly. The foundation has a golf tournament, which raised $165,000 this past year. So in 10 years, it's over a million dollars. We also have an annual wine tasting. The next one comes up in July. These events are to help raise funds for patients, but also it's public relations. It helps get our name out there. The fund-raising goal is to match the incredible passion for the mission. You match the institutional needs and mission with the donors. The natural would be our constituents. Many of them feel grateful and want to help others and want to contribute, help others build a ramp on their home, extend the bedroom. As the patients and families show their gratitude, in time they volunteer here. The foundation's role is to show appreciation for their gifts, such as matching them with individuals who got the help, or the special equipment that was purchased. They are married to the institution and the fund-raisers in the foundation need not play as active a role. Our patients are here for two weeks, and you get to know the patients and families.
Who are your major local corporate sponsors?
Louis Vuitton is one. AIG is another, AT&T is another, and you have the banks, and Island Heritage. They all help us. I think our ability to reach out is the fact that disabilities hit any socioeconomic class, any age. Because of that, everyone can be affected. We do have a broad base. We have a girl from Kapalama Elementary who had a stroke, against conventional wisdom. So it doesn't discriminate. I think we are one of the greatest community resources.
Inside Hawaii Inc. is a conversation with a member of the Hawaii business community who has changed jobs, been elected to a board or been recognized for accomplishments. Send questions and comments to business@starbulletin.com.
