Three Maui Memorial employees earn statewide honors
Trending
Three Maui Memorial Medical Center employees received statewide recognition in October for their contributions to nursing, patient care and hospital operations.
According to Maui Health, Haley DeForest, a registered nurse, received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing Alumni Association. Also, Dr. Michael Firstenberg was named 2026 Physician of the Year, and Traci Hashiro received the 2026 Distinguished Service Award, both presented by the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi.
"Haley, Dr. Firstenberg and Traci each make a difference in very different ways, but they all share a commitment to serving others and strengthening health care for our community," said Wade Ebersole, chief executive officer of Maui Health, in a news release.
DeForest, a float pool nurse at Maui Memorial, provides patient care across multiple hospital units. She also serves as president-elect of the Hawaiʻi American Nurses Association. Earlier this year, she traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent Hawaii nurses and participate in health care policy discussions.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes emerging nurses who demonstrate leadership and contribute to their profession, communities and the future of health care.
Firstenberg, a cardiothoracic surgeon, was recognized for his work expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care on Maui and Lānaʻi. He helped introduce the Impella heart pump to Maui and participated in the first procedure using the device on the island.
His work has helped make advanced cardiac treatment available locally, reducing the need for some patients to travel off-island for care.
Dr. Michael Firstenberg
Dr. Michael Firstenberg (center) was named the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi's 2026 Physician of the Year for his work expanding cardiovascular care on Maui and Lanai. He is joined by association CEO Hilton Raethel (left) and Adventist Health Castle President Chase Aalborg. Photo courtesy Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi
Hashiro, supervisor of administrative support, received the Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to hospital operations, including process improvements, resource development and daily operational leadership.
During the 2023 Maui wildfires, she served as a central point of contact for logistics, coordination and communication.
Firstenberg and Hashiro were honored at the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi Awards & Scholarship Gala on Oct. 24 in Honolulu.
Traci Hashiro (center) received the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi's 2026 Distinguished Service Award for her work supporting Maui Health operations. She is joined by association CEO Hilton Raethel (left) and Adventist Health Castle President Chase Aalborg. Photo courtesy Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi
Maui Memorial also received national recognition from the American Heart Association for the 18th consecutive year through its Get With The Guidelines program, earning four awards for heart failure, stroke, resuscitation and overall quality of care.
The hospital received Heart Failure Gold Plus recognition, including Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll distinctions. It also earned Stroke Gold Plus recognition, including Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll distinctions.
Heart Failure Team
Members of Maui Memorial Medical Center's Heart Failure Team (from left) Dr. Kimble Poon, Dr. Constantin Novoselsky, registered nurse Leslie Lexier and Dr. Andrew Sumida were recognized with an American Heart Association Gold Plus award. Photo courtesy Maui Health
Maui Memorial also received a Resuscitation Silver award for adherence to guidelines for treating cardiac arrest in hospitalized patients.
The hospital’s fourth recognition was the Commitment to Quality Award, presented to hospitals that earn Silver or higher awards in at least three Get With The Guidelines modules. Maui Memorial was one of three hospitals in Hawai'i and 222 nationwide to receive the award.
According to Maui Health, the hospital has earned Gold Plus recognition for more than 12 consecutive years and is one of three hospitals in Hawai'i to receive Gold Plus awards for both heart failure and stroke.
The American Heart Association awards recognize hospitals for consistently following evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients with cardiovascular conditions and stroke.
For more information about the awards and recipients, visit mauihealth.org/awards.