Queen's Health Systems has announced the appointment of David Hope as the permanent President of its University Medical Group (QUMG). Hope has been serving as the interim president since July, according to a recent report from the Pacific Business News.
This appointment is significant because QUMG is the academic medical group practice of The Queen’s Health Systems, encompassing nearly 600 providers and 100 ambulatory clinical sites across four hospitals. This includes The Queen's Medical Center, The Queen’s Medical Center – West O‘ahu, Molokai General Hospital, and Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital. The group was formed in 2021 when the majority of the University of Hawai‘i Faculty Practice physicians joined the Queen’s Medical Group (QMG), as detailed in a 2022 press release.
Hope's permanent appointment suggests a continued focus on strengthening high-quality, compassionate care. The University Medical Group plays a vital role in medical education, research, and workforce development in Hawai'i. The leadership change could also influence the strategic direction of Queen's Health Systems, potentially affecting partnerships with the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and University Health Partners of Hawai‘i (UHP). Moreover, the success of QUMG affects the healthcare ecosystem and contributes to the economic vitality of the state.
With Hope at the helm, the focus will be on the standardization of ambulatory practice operations, and improve patient experience and access to care. It will be interesting to observe how this appointment will shape QUMG's role in advancing healthcare in Hawaii and its impact on the local business environment.
