The Queen’s Medical Center (QMC) announced today a $7.5 million gift to support the expansion of its Emergency Department at its Honolulu campus.
The donation, the largest contribution to QMC by an individual, was made by Candice Uytengsu. In recognition of this significant donation, the Department will be renamed The Uytengsu Family Emergency Department.
“We are extremely grateful for this very generous gift,” said Jason Chang, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Queen’s Health Systems. “In the spirit of generosity that has sustained Queen’s since its founding, Candice has made a transformative commitment to support our mission of providing exceptional health care services to Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawai‘i.”
“Just as Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV made known in 1859, philanthropy is essential to the hospital’s ability to care for our community,” said Candice Uytengsu. “It goes without saying that I have the utmost respect for all of the caregivers who strive to provide great care every single day. I hope this gift inspires others to give, knowing that together, we can ensure Queen’s remains a place of healing for generations to come.”
Through this generous gift, Uytengsu is challenging others in the community to support this project by making their own donation. Donations can be made via the following:
Phone: 808-691-4994
Mail: The Queen’s Health Systems, Queen’s Philanthropy, PO Box 3445, Honolulu, HI 96801
Online: https://bit.ly/QHSGIVE
QMC’s Emergency Department, the busiest in Hawaiʻi, cares for more than 60,000 patients each year and serves as the front door for the majority of the state’s critically ill and most vulnerable populations since it is the only Level 1 trauma center, only comprehensive stroke center, only organ transplant program, and the busiest STEMI center. QMC’s Emergency Department also cares for the greatest number of patients with behavioral health conditions.
Renovations include:
- Increasing the number of treatment rooms from 35 to 76
- Expanding the Emergency Department’s size to accommodate the latest in medical technology, including dedicated diagnostic and treatment facilities with state-of-the-art CT and X-Ray services
- Expanding behavioral health services to include a dedicated space for patients with behavioral health needs in an environment that provides the safest care and maintains the dignity of every individual
- Improving patient flow to allow for the safe separation of patients with suspected or confirmed infectious disease from the rest of the patient population, including those at higher risk of contracting an infectious disease due to pre-existing conditions
- Upgrading mechanical systems to allow for negative air pressure and enhanced air filtration, as well as improved surface and air disinfection to prevent the spread of the viruses
Phase I of the newly expanded Emergency Department is scheduled to open in early summer 2025.
