Page 8 - Winter 2020 Castle MD

Lum honored as Adventist Health Castle 2019 Physician of the Year
Contributed by Alan Cheung, Medical Officer and Tiffany Harada, Administration
Among other criteria, Castle’s Physician of the Year sees patients as whole persons (body, mind and spirit); by influence and example, elevates the level and quality
of care of those with whom they work; consistently produces positive, measurable clinical outcomes; manifests a life of integrity and incorporates loving care into their practice; exhibits sensitivity to the emotions of others; is recognized as a caring practitioner; and when needed, integrates spiritual experts into the care plan.
As a local boy growing up in Honolulu, Steven Lum, MD, knew that he wanted
to follow in his father’s footsteps as a physician. He studied diligently throughout high school and attended college away
from home at Wesleyan University, a liberal arts college in Middletown, Connecticut. Following his desire to return home and pursue a higher education, Dr. Lum then attended the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine where he received his medical degree in 1977.
Dr. Lum’s career was influenced by his residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California where, through
the encouragement and guidance of endocrinologist Dr. John Nicoloff, he began a two-year fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Los Angeles County Medical Center. In 1982, he returned to Hawai‘i and worked alongside his father for about six months before establishing his own practice in Kailua. His love for the Windward side and the feeling of community at what was then Castle Memorial Hospital, led him to serve as chair of the hospital’s Department of Medicine, on the Peer Review committee, as Chief of Staff for two terms, as well as serving on the Governing Board and Medical Executive Committee.
Currently, Dr. Lum serves as president
of Castle Health Group, a physician organization whose mission is to provide
a high quality, integrated network of physicians and in conjunction with quality healthcare at Castle, to improve the health of Hawai‘i’s communities.
“As President of Castle Health Group, Dr. Steven Lum, has served our Windward community for 39 years as a board- certified internist and endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and metabolism,” says Kate Saavedra, Executive Director of Castle Health Group. “He is highly regarded by not only his colleagues, but also by
his patients. Dr. Lum has led the way in providing quality care to his patients and helped the group transition to a value- based payment model. As a physician he leads by example, treating everyone with fairness and respect while maintaining a strong sense of compassion.”
above Steven Lum, MD, pictured here with Medical Officer Alan Cheung, MD, and Chief of Staff Will Scruggs, MD.
left Also with past award winners Denis Mee lee, MD, Brijit Reis, MD, and David Kaminskas, MD.
The words, “The patient comes first and doctor means teacher,” were instilled in
Dr. Lum by one of his most influential instructors, Dr. Richard Kekuni Blaisdell. The idea of a physician interacting with patients as a trusted advisor and educator was one of the things that led Dr. Lum to choose primary care as his specialty. He emphasizes fitness and exercise with all of his patients and leads by example with his own healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Lum continues to incorporate love
and confidence in his patients who are experiencing challenging situations.
“We have been blessed to have Dr. Steven Lum as our family physician for many years,” writes one of his patients. “He has been a thorough and caring physician.”
He genuinely cares for his patients and is admired by his colleagues.
When he’s not serving his community, Dr. Lum enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife Nina, his children and grandchildren.
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