Jamie Kamailani Boyd, PhD, FNP- BC, MSN, RN

Community Health Leaders
2011

Area(s) of Expertise:
Workforce development
Cultural competency

Leader's Biography 2011:
Boyd's goal is to improve the long-term health of Hawaiians by increasing their access to living-wage jobs. Based at Windward Community College (WCC) in Hawaii, the Pathway out of Poverty Program keeps Hawaiians in college, advancing along a pathway in health careers from nurse’s aide (NA) to registered nurse (RN), while increasing wages and personal health. The teaching style is grounded in the Hawaiian value of kuleana - individual and collective responsibility for the functioning and advancement of society. Boyd’s work honors Hawaiian educational traditions of oral recital, service, and hands-on learning, and combines western and Hawaiian healing. Since 2007 Boyd has partnered with Kamehameha Schools, The Queen’s Medical Center and utilized the US Recovery Reconciliation Act to obtain resources, equipment, and tuition assistance for students. Today Boyd trains about 50 nurse’s aides a year, approximately one-quarter of whom continue to pursue the registered nurse degree. Boyd has also developed support programs to help the students overcome barriers to entry, including bias, poverty, and low expectations, so they can focus on high standards and quality care.

Where this leader can be reached today:
Associate Professor, Health Programs
University of Hawaii
Windward Community College, Hawaii
45-720 Kea`ahala Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744 
Phone: (808)-235-7384
Fax: (808)-235-7434
Email: boydj@hawaii.edu