John Nitao
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The Queen's Health System
John Nitao joined The Queen’s Health System (QHS) in 2003 as its General Counsel. Soon after, he was appointed Vice President and General Counsel in 2005. In 2020, Mr. Nitao was appointed to his current position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
In this current role, Mr. Nitao oversees the legal affairs of QHS and its affiliated companies while providing oversight of the Internal Audit, Physician Contracting and Compensation, Risk Management and Contract Services Departments. He also oversees the operations of the Queen’s captive insurance company, which insures risks and adjusts claims related to the operations of the health system. Additionally, Mr. Nitao serves on the boards of many of QHS’ subsidiary companies.
Mr. Nitao has helped guide several key transactions, contributing to the overall growth of the organization. He led the negotiations and eventual acquisitions of The Queen’s Medical Center–West Oahu in 2012 and Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in 2013. Prior to joining QHS, Mr. Nitao was a partner at the law firm of Chun Kerr Dodd Beaman & Wong where he practiced business, real estate and tax law.
Mr. Nitao earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, at Los Angeles, a Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and a Master of Laws from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, State Bar of California, and the American Health Lawyers Association. Mr. Nitao has served as a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including Navian Hawaii (formerly, Hospice Hawaii) and the Alzheimer’s Association’s Aloha Chapter.
