biz briefs 1-19

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Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Richardson was the partner in charge of Honolulu’s Rush Moore Craven Sutton Morry & Beh’s health care law division before leaving in 2002.

Medical practices move to new offices

West Hawaii Medical Group and Hualalai Urgent Care have relocated their offices to 77-6447 Kuakini Hwy., the building previously occupied by pediatrician Dr. Peter Locatelli/Kona Pediatrics.

Mayo Clinic trained, Dr. Joy A. McElroy has practiced medical dermatology in Kona for 15 years, helping people with the special skin problems associated with living in sunny climates — rashes, sun related problems and various skin disorders.

Dr. Leon Hyman, an allergist, trained at University of Michigan, treats a wide variety of allergy and immunologic problems of the respiratory tract, skin and other parts of the body.

Hualalai Urgent Care fulfills a medical need in the West Hawaii community, by welcoming walk-ins without requiring an appointment. Hualalai Urgent Care introduced the concept of immediate medical care to Hawaii Island more than 15 years ago. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Waits are usually short and many insurance plans are accepted.

Patients who need directions to the new office location or want to make an appointment can call West Hawaii Medical Group at 329-6355 or Hualalai Urgent Care at 327-4357.


Richardson appointed executive director

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has announced the appointment of Frank Richardson to the newly created position of executive director of government relations. In his new role, Richardson will lead the organization’s government affairs program for the Hawaii region.

“Frank is highly respected in the organization and in the local legal and political communities,” said Janet Liang, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii region. “His background and experience in health care law, combined with his ability to develop strategic approaches to advocating for Kaiser Permanente and solving complex problems, will continue to be valuable assets in his new role.”

Richardson will also continue to serve as senior counsel in the health and regulatory area of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s Legal and Government Relations department. Phyllis Dendle will continue to serve as director of government relations, reporting to Richardson.

Richardson joined Kaiser Permanente Hawaii in May 2002 as its senior counsel. He has 25 years of broad-based legal experience, including health care law, commercial litigation, insurance defense and legal and medical malpractice defense. Richardson’s scope of legal expertise includes: regulatory and corporate compliance, health plan regulatory advice, HIPAA privacy, litigation management, risk management, scope of practice guidance, Medicare and Medicaid regulations, legislative and regulatory advocacy and general provider operations legal support.

Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Richardson was the partner in charge of Honolulu’s Rush Moore Craven Sutton Morry & Beh’s health care law division before leaving in 2002.