University Professor Credits Her Doctor for the Balance in Her Life

Meet Noreen. She’s a doctoral-level clinical social worker, and dean emeritus and professor at the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. As a native and lifelong resident of Hawaii, she was raised with and follows Hawaiian culture.

For instance, there’s a belief that health and well-being exist only when the connections (or pilina) in life, i.e., friends, community, spirituality and the environment, are balanced and aligned (pono). She attributes some of the pilina and pono in her life to her MDVIP-affiliated physician, Dr. DeBoard.

Noreen and her husband have been patients of Dr. DeBoard for at least 20 years; in fact, they were his patients before he transitioned to MDVIP. They always appreciated his brilliance in medicine, unwavering compassion, kindness and tenacity in finding the best medical solutions. However, they had to wait a long time for appointments, and due to the size of Dr. DeBoard’s practice, they were “just a number”.

After Dr. DeBoard became affiliated with MDVIP, waiting in the waiting room for an appointment became a thing of the past. And MDVIP provides him with features such as MDVIP Connect and the MDVIP Wellness Program, which help optimize healthcare. But probably the most noticeable improvement was the amount of time Dr. DeBoard could spend with Noreen and her husband and devote to their overall wellness. He listens to them, is compassionate about their needs and beliefs, and they feel like they’re part of his family.

For example, Noreen, a Buddhist, had a conversation with Dr. DeBoard about the health benefits of meditating while handling a health crisis. Following this discussion, Dr. DeBoard, who is trained in Western medicine, researched Buddhist healers and referred one to Noreen, who uses meditation.

Noreen and her husband take responsibility for their pilina and pono by living a healthy lifestyle that includes walking regularly in nature. Their favorite place to walk is a forested park with large tree branches that overlap, creating a cathedral-like feeling that can be very spiritual.

Like many families, they have faced challenges with stroke and cancer, and Dr. DeBoard guided them through these hardships to the best care and, ultimately, to quiet joy. Noreen says he is, and will always be, part of our cherished network of pilina.

If you want a doctor who will contribute to your pilina and pono, Noreen suggests looking for a doctor who is well-informed and provides great care. A doctor who is understanding and uses an approach to healthcare that enables patients to be true partners with their doctors.