HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0258.003 2004-2006 A. STEPHEN WOO. JR., M.D.
193 HALAI STREET
HILO, HAWAII 96720 '
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May ]6, 2005 c;.i~ ~';n'i ~~f
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Chairman Stacy Higa
Hawaii County Common Council
Hilo, HI
Deaz Chainnan Higa: P Ian Q~
1 am writing in support of your proposal to dedicate the ~rlC~o the memory of
llr. Kuth Uda. Uf all the physicians with whom 1 worked, she is by far the most
worthy.
"Though her family was of modest means, (her mother was a seamstress), Ruth
sought the best education she could manage, attending schools like Washington
University in St. Louis and Yale. When she returned to Hilo it was noted she wore
the same shoes she had when she left years before, with the worn soles patched with
cardboards
She was one of the "deans" of the Hilo Hospital medical staff, with a license
granted by the Territory of Hawaii. As such she exemplified the time-honored
tradition of "patients first."
Last night our (and your) colleague Dr. Fred mentioned she was the only
pediatrician on the whole island in the early 70's. As a consequence she was always
an call. i can't imagine her refusing to help any paiient in need regardless of the time
or day. I'm sure she cared for many without charging afee---she was that kind of
ptlrsun.
Medicine was her love and passion, and not even a stroke in the 1980's could
keep ltcr from practicing. L~ the twauty f vc or so years T'd known her I had never
heard her complain about anything nor anyone, ever.
Sha was mass knowledgeable and up-to-date, though attending t he weekly
7 am Saturday morning conferences at the hospital was hard for her. "I'm not a
morning person, "she'd smile sheepishly.
A standing tradition was her family's New Year's Day open house. Everyone
was invited--paticnis, rcighbars, hospital and prassional collcagacs. Shc was as
gracious a hostess as she was a physician.
Stacy, I'm delighted with yaur endeavor. You are implementing a task that
needs to be done.
.Mahala!
Sincerely,
Comm. No. Zf
~ Ref. To: •f
Rdf, Uote MAY 1 8 9005
A. Stephen Woo, Jr. M.D.