Patients in need of neurosurgery care in Maui, Hawaii, must travel to the neighboring island of Oahu for treatment while Maui's sole neurosurgeon remains on leave, according to The Maui News.
A medical office assistant for 74-year-old Thomas Rogers, MD, told the publication Dr. Rogers is unavailable to treat patients because of an unspecified health issue.
Dr. Rogers has been on call 24/7 for the last 20 years as Maui's only neurosurgeon since he moved to the island in 1998, according to the report. He is affiliated with Wailuku, Hawaii-based Maui Memorial Medical Center and maintains his own private practice, seeing more than 1,000 patients statewide between the two organizations.
Honolulu-based Maui Health System, a subsidiary of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente and owner of Maui Memorial, has been conducting interviews with prospective candidates to bring additional neurosurgeons to Maui. While Maui Memorial would likely not hire the individual, they may be able to provide financial assistance to the chosen physician to help them establish a private practice on the island, the report states.
A Maui Health System spokesperson confirmed to The Maui News the system's "active recruitment" of two more neurosurgeons to join Maui Memorial's medical staff as community neurosurgeons with privileges at the hospital.
"Identifying the right candidate and getting them here could take some time," the spokesperson said. "We look forward to making introductions to our community as soon as possible."
The spokesperson also told the publication the health system is also recruiting a number of full-time and part-time employees, and "[reducing] the use of temporary traveler staff," according to the report.
To access the full report, click here.