Catholic hospital deserves thanks for filling vital need

Now that Hawaii Medical Center/St. Francis Medical Center has closed after 84 years, the community should be grateful for the valuable services received. The spirit of the soon-to-be Saint Marianne Cope — led by Sister Maureen Keleher, CEO for more than 30 years and other sisters of St. Francis — rendered service so that "anyone who comes to St. Francis will be treated, regardless of ability to pay." This spirit attracted, and gave treatment to, so many indigent as well as paying patients.

Sister Maureen’s pioneering spirit led to the first civilian Kidney Dialysis Center in the Pacific in 1965. Without it, patients with end-stage kidney disease had nothing more to keep them alive.

Organ transplantation followed in 1969. It was the only such program in the Pacific. Kidney transplantation was the first, then liver, heart, pancreas and bone marrow, which saved many lives. The total number from the onset was 1,500 transplantations, and 80 were done in 2011.

From the onset to a few years later, the expenses were covered by St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC) alone because such treatment was deemed not-yet-standard by health insurances. Without this program, patients must go to mainland centers. This means waiting and waiting either by moving there to be in line for a matched organ — or wait for the phone call here, then fly there immediately by air ambulance. In either case, it meant the high expense of time and money for the patients and families.

It is gratifying that the state recently appropriated $1.5 million to Queen’s Medical Center to start up and continue the organ program. Closing of the medical center is not the end for the sisters of St. Francis, however. They will continue their worthy mission through the St. Francis Health Care System.

Having been on the medical staff at SFMC for many years, I thank the sisters for the privilege to practice there and witness their care and caring.