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May 18 OS 07:43a RES-Q Consultants, Ine. [8081531-3595 p.2
Leolinda L. K. Parlin
z6o4 Pauoa Road
Honolulu, HI g68~3
Phone: (So8)z8z-6388 leolinda®resgconsultants.com Fax: (So8)53~
3595
May 18, 2005
Councilman Stacy Higa
Hawaii Caunty Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 208
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Testimony in support of B$1 103
r
Dear Councilman Higa:
I humbly support this letter of overwhelming support in naming the playground at _ s
Lincoln Park, the Dr. Ruth E. Oda Playground, in honor of Dr. Ruth Oda. Dr. Oda has.
left an indelible impression on my Iife and thousands of others. As a role model, she _
has left a legacy that will continue to impact others for generations.
In my professional capacity, [serve the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of
Medicine, Department of Community Pediatrics Residency Program as an Adjunct
Clinical Faculty teaching pediatric residents about family centered care and family
professional partnerships. I am also w-Principal Investigator of a federally funded 3
year training grant, called the Hawaii Medical Home Implementation and Training
Grant. This grant funds our team to support community pediatricians to become better
physicians, by emphasizing the value and importance of pediatric primary care that is
accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family centered, coordinated, compassionate,
and culturally effective. In the course of my work, I've never had to look far as to how
to personify the concept of the Medical Home. Dr. Oda was the embodiment of the
Medical Home. And through her example, we are teaching the next generations of
pediatricians to be like her.
In this day in age when youth have limited role models, the type of role models they
aspire to are not always appropriate. Our media inundates us with the exploits of
celebrities that are void of character, community based values, or even basic morals. By
naming the playground after Dr. Oda, we are giving the youth of the Big Island a role
model that is "our own". She grew up in the Ponahawai area, committed herself to the
children and families she served, she honored her own parents and family in a manner
that is inspiring, and as a life long learner achieved excellence in all of her endeavors.
I cannot think of anyone more appropriate in the history or current community of the
Big Island that is better suited that Pr. Oda to share her mantle with the playground at
Lincoln Park. [encourage you to vote in favor of Bill 103 today.
ctf~/lly//, /J
Leoli Kinard Farlin
Comm. No.
Ref. ToPfO
,oaf. L a+~ ~Y 1 S 2005