The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is seeing progress toward its challenging aim of closing the gap for minority students pursuing medical careers. Of its 73 recent graduates, nearly two dozen were Native Hawaiian and Filipino, marking a record year for graduating minority medical students.

That’s encouraging, and more progress is needed to address diversity-related issues. Also, more homegrown grads in the health care field — regardless of race or ethnicity — are needed to combat an alarming physician shortage.

Hawaii has long grappled with various shortages. Last year, a UH report found that the state was about 700 physicians short of what a similar community has on the mainland. What’s more, according to projections, the deficit could climb to 1,500 within a decade.

At the same time, demand for services is expected to climb. Driving demand, in part, will be geriatric needs of the so-called silver tsunami. By 2045, the age-65-and-older group will account for nearly one-fourth of Hawaii’s population.

Among the worrying health matters spanning all ages in Hawaii is prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Together they affect nearly 600,000 people — roughly 1 in 2 residents, with Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders two times more likely to have diabetes than other ethnic groups.

In response to the threat of curtailed access to prompt services, the medical community is rightly stepping up efforts to expand and diversify its statewide workforce. Dr. Wi­nona Mesiona Lee, JABSOM’s diversity officer, has pointed out that with Native Hawaiians making up 23 percent of the state’s population but comprising less than 4 percent of the M.D. tally, “We’re not matching up to the population, and that’s who we want to really reflect.”

Key to optimal health care is a harmonious doctor- patient relationship. And in a relatively isolated place like Hawaii, having local ties and a solid understanding of local culture is a sure-bet way for professionals to establish needed trust and rapport with patients to move the health needle.

JABSOM is attracting a minority-focused cohort with its yearlong Imi Hoola program, which helps disadvantaged students gain access to medical school. It enrolls up to a dozen students who enter medical school upon completion. While not limited to a single ethnicity, a large number are of Hawaiian, Filipino, Samoan, Chamorro or Micronesian descent.

According to the latest UH survey of Hawaii’s physician workforce — limited to actively practicing non-military doctors — the state has about 3,400, but lost 51 full-time docs from 2017 to 2018.

Cited as contributing factors are low pay (when adjusted for cost-of-living issues) compared with mainland counterparts; and baby boomers aging out. At least half of Hawaii’s practicing physicians are in their mid-50s or older, the survey found.

Responding to the UH survey and other forecasts, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 1406, which is now on Gov. David Ige’s desk. The measure, which is supported by several health care organizations, looks to physician assistants (PAs) to help tackle the shortage.

PAs can serve as a patient’s principal health care provider — diagnosing illness, developing and managing treatment plans, and prescribing medications.

While a majority of states allow PAs to renew licenses by meeting continuing education requirements, Hawaii is among the minority that mandate continued certification requirements. SB 1406, which Ige should sign into law, would lift this overly burdensome rule and take other steps toward encouraging more physician assistants to practice in the islands.

Critical to a healthful future here will be a sustained push to expand the ranks of doctors — especially the homegrown sort — and other health care professionals.