July 15, 2019 —

Pictured: The First Aid Tent Crew (Dr. Lydia Rolita is in the middle, with stripes). 

Written by Vina Cristobal
Photos provided by Dr. Lydia Rolita

Dr. Lydia Rolita of Family Medicine has had quite a productive summer. In between her role as a practicing physician and the director of the UH Family Medicine Residency Program, she took some time this month to volunteer at a couple of community service events on the weekends.

On July 13 and 14, Dr. Rolita, along with a team of nurses, medical students and residents, helped out at the First Aid Tent at the 57^th Annual Hawaii State Farm Fair at Kualoa Ranch. During their time at the tent, the team aided fairgoers who may have been injured or dehydrated. Between shifts, the group was able to participate in fun activities at the ranch, including a mini-tour of movie sets at Kualoa Ranch and seeing newly-hatched chicks in their warming pen.

The following weekend, she and fellow Family Medicine doctor Dr. Lee Buenconsejo-Lum participated in an outreach event at Kahauiki Village, a rental housing neighborhood for homeless families on the edge of Nimitz Highway. Family Medicine residents and volunteers from HPH were part of the group that helped out on that day.

The HPH outreach group. Lydia Rolita, MD, photo.

The outreach, sponsored by Hawaii Pacific Health, involved general screening and healthcare for adults and back-to-school physicals for children. Other activities were provided for families, including a bicycle smoothie machine, a face painter, an obstacle course and gifts for the children – including backpacks filled up to the brim in school supplies. Dr. Rolita says it was a “lovely” experience being in the community and making a difference in the lives of others.

Residents and volunteers with Dr. Rolita (third from left). Lydia Rolita, MD, photo.

Faculty are the catalyzers when it comes to encouraging students, residents and fellows to provide healthcare to Hawaii’s communities, especially at events and outreaches. Not only that, UHP doctors seek to be the healers of communities with health disparities, since these areas do not have easy access to healthcare.