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Addiction Medicine Fellowship

About

The Addiction Medicine one-year fellowship is open to anyone holding primary certification from any American Board of Medical Specialty (ABMS). The program is part of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawai‘i, John A. Burns School of Medicine.

During training the fellow will experience multiple sites in the community, both in outpatient and inpatient. The fellow will take care of a multicultural population from various socioeconomic classes. Committed faculty members provide regular supervision and didactics. The fellow is given the opportunity to co-chair the Annual Hawai‘i Addiction Conference. There are also ample opportunities to pursue research, academia, teaching, and public policy making.

The program seeks to train fellows who are well-rounded in clinical work, scholarly research, community service, and teaching.  We are looking for motivated and caring physicians who have the heart to take care of this vulnerable population.

The fellowship received ACGME accreditation in July 2019. Addiction Medicine is an independent ABMS-certified specialty within the portfolio of the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM).

To lessen the stigma and discrimination and improve understanding and care of those using substances, at risk of developing substance use disorder, and with active substance use disorders, through service, education, and research. To provide optimal care to all patients with empathy and understanding.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic, complex disease affecting individuals physically, psychologically, and socially. We emphasize treating SUD as a medical condition, not a moral failing, encouraging trainees to use empathy and respect. We use a holistic approach considering the underlying causes and co-occurring conditions. By integrating evidence-based practices and collaborating with other healthcare professionals, community organizations, and support systems, we provide comprehensive, individualized care that supports long-term recovery and respects the dignity of each individual.

To graduate competent addiction medicine fellows who can: 

  • Effectively evaluate and manage patients with substance use disorder.  
  • Assume a wide array of contemporary roles, including clinical services, administration, consultation, teaching, advocacy, policy making and research.
  • Expand the provision of care within Hawai‘i’s system of care.

Core Faculty

Our faculty are a skilled and versatile group of educators and clinicians who work collaboratively to: 

  • Educate fellows and other healthcare providers in resources, guidelines, and best practices in the areas of substance use and substance use disorder.
  • Create and change local and national policies and laws to expand and improve the treatment and support of patients with substance use disorders.
  • Increase awareness and understanding of substance use disorder as a medical condition to help reduce stigma and dispel myths and misconceptions.

Miki Kiyokawa, M.D.
Addiction Medicine Program Director,
Assistant Professor

Queen’s Medical Center – Consult Liaison – Addiction Services

Angela Gough, D.O.
Faculty Supervisor,
Assistant Clinical Professor

Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction

Dawn Taniguchi M.D.
Faculty Supervisor,
Assistant Professor

Institute for Human Services (IHS) and Queen’s Medical Center – detox and addiction medicine in primary care.

Jon Streltzer, M.D.
Faculty Supervisor,
Professor Emeritus

Queen’s Medical Center – Outpatient Buprenorphine

Junji Takeshita, M.D.
Director of Medical Education & Patient Care

Queen’s Medical Center – Consult Liaison

Daniel Fischberg, M.D.
Faculty Supervisor

Queen’s Medical Center – Pain & Palliative Care

Deborah Kissinger, D.O.
Faculty Supervisor

Veteran’s Administration, Pacific Island Healthcare Systems

Craig Nakatsuka, M.D
Faculty Supervisor

Institute for Human Services

Michele Pangilinan, M.D.
Faculty Supervisor,
Assistant Clinical Professor
Veteran’s Administration, Pacific Island Healthcare Systems

Faculty Supervisor
Perinatal Addiction Treatment of Hawaii

Toshi Shibata, M.D.
Faculty Supervisor

Hina Mauka

Joseph Turban, M.D.
Faculty Supervisor

Hina Mauka

Christina Wang, DNP
Faculty Supervisor

Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction

Program Details

Curriculum

Our program is a member of the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM) and as such our fellows participate in the ACAAM National Addiction Medicine Didactic Curriculum. This is a weekly, Fellowship-Run didactic experience for fellows and faculty.

The live, 2-hour sessions are mapped to the American Board of Preventative Medicine (ABPM) addiction medicine blueprint as well as the ACGME medical competencies.

Conferences

Each year our program hosts the Annual Hawai‘i Addiction Conference (HAC). Fellows participate in the conference preparation by serving as co-chairs of the HAC planning committee and will also participate in the actual conference.

The program purchases

  1. Beat the Boards for Addiction Medicine for the fellows for board preparation.
  2. Various texts to provide fellows with the necessary reference tools to support their training.

Rotation Schedule

Application

How To Apply

Each year, the University of Hawai‘i Addiction Medicine Training Program participates in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) to fill positions. We currently have one (1) PGY-5 position each year. Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).  All applications are reviewed by members of the selection committee only after all documents have been submitted via ERAS.

The following documents are needed to complete your ERAS application:

  1. ERAS Application Form
  2. Personal Statement (outlining the following)
    1. Who you are
    2. Reasons you are interested in addiction medicine
    3. Reasons you are interested in our program
    4. Your personal goals
  3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably Dean’s letter / Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
  4. Official Medical School Transcript
  5. Complete USMLE / COMLEX Transcripts (see below)
  6. ECFMG certification (if applicable)

All interviews are conducted virtually.  Interviews are by invitation only through ERAS (Thalamus) and invites will be released between August and early September.

Additional Information

  • All non-U.S. citizens applying to the University of Hawai‘i’s Addiction Medicine program must hold a J-1 visa.
  • International Medical Graduates (IMGs), whether foreign-born or American-born, are required to hold the standard Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification. See the ECFMG website for more information.
  • Hawaii Residency Programs, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender/sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, marital status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, arrest and court record, credit history and credit report, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or other protects categories in accordance with state and federal laws. If you need accommodations at any time, please contact HRP Human Resources at 808-586-2891.
information on drug testing requirements

Fellows

Our program is proud to have fellows from a wide variety of backgrounds and with various residency training including internal medicine, OB/GYN, anesthesiology and family medicine.

AY 23024-2025 Fellow

Malvin Vien, M.D
Medical School – University of Colorado School of Medicine
Residency – Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program

Benefits & Salary

summary of salary & benefits

Contact

Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Programs
University of Hawaii Psychiatry Residency Programs
1356 Lusitana Street, 4th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Sarah Burns – Administrative Assistant
PHONE: (808) 586-7425
FAX: (808) 586-2940
Email: sburns@hawaiiresidency.org