WILL. J. HENDERSON, C.E., B.A., M.P.H., F.A.C.H.E. SHORT STORY Will J. Henderson, kama aina in spirit and heart and president emeritus of the Queen s Medical Center, and generous philanthropist, died on October 20, 2016. Henderson was 95 years old. Will J. as he was affectionately called, was a legend among Queen s Medical Center employees. Even years after his retirement, they remember him as the president who knew their names. Henderson always spoke to them about their families, attended their departmental holiday functions, accepted invitations to employee homes for retirement and birthday parties, and even, spoke on behalf of employee families at memorial services. Will s commitment to the well-being of each employee was extraordinary. He believed each employee had value who contributed to the success of the Queen s mission. Henderson established three educational scholarship funds at Willamette University, the Hawai'i Community Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Honolulu. In 2014, he established the Will J. Henderson Aloha Fund through the University of Hawai'i Foundation, to provide a single scholarship award each year to each third-year medical student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine. As a major player in Hawai`i s health care sector, he also became involved in the health care industry and education in Hawai`i, Japan, the People s Republic of China, and the Philippines. In recognition of his numerous contributions, the Emperor of Japan awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Active in his community, Henderson was a charter member of the board of directors and first vice president of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai`i; president of the Japan America Society of Hawai`i (1983-1985); member of the board of trustees at Willamette University (1981-1993), regent and life fellow of the American College of Health-Care Executives, and member of the board of trustees of the American Hospital Association, president of Rotary Foundation of Honolulu, and president of Hawai`i Health Care Association. Henderson was the first academically trained hospital executive in Hawai'i, and outstanding alumnus of Willamette University. He earned a master s degree in hospital administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and was a Sigma Chi fraternity mentor. 1
Queens Medical Center The growth and development of The Queen s Medical Center as an institution of excellence was made possible by Will J. Henderson who was born in South Dakota and came to Hawai i in 1959 to become the administrator of Kauikeolani Children s Hospital. Will J. Henderson set the standard in hospital leadership with compassion, understanding, and dedication that has become his hallmark. Henderson s humble beginnings and his educational career paths prepared him well to serve people as his life s work. As president and administrator of the Center, Henderson embarked on a never-ending quest to improve the Queen s Medical Center. He was totally imbued with the spirit of wanting The Queen s Medical Center to be a source of strength for all of Hawai i s people, young and old, born and yet to be born. The Beginning of a New Era of Hospital Care in Hawai i The transition of today s world-class Queen s Medical Center began in 1960. What proved to be most fortuitous, Henderson was available in Honolulu when the Queen s Hospital Board of Directors were faced with selecting a new Chief Administrative Officer. The Board of Directors appointed Henderson as the new Chief Administrative Officer in October, 1960. Henderson had obtained a new specialty masters degree in hospital and healthcare advanced management at the prestigious University of California at Berkeley. He did his administrative residency at the University of California teaching hospital in San Francisco and spent eight years as a Vice President on the executive staff at the U.C.L.A. Medical Center. Those years provided him opportunities to participate in cutting edge medical care and visionary views of healthcare technology. Hawai i hospitals were 15 or more years behind comparable mainland hospitals. Old, outdated facilities and financial problems plagued Hawai i hospitals. Even the Queen s Hospital, which was thought to be wealthy because of owning Queen Emma lands, actually produced very little income and even had difficulty paying vendors for services and supplies. Indeed, there were times when vendors demanded payment at time of delivery. The 1960 s was a prime time for looking to the future of healthcare in Hawai'i. Henderson was new to the islands; he embarked on a journey to bring about better community understanding of hospitals. 2
Henderson engaged Queen s in vibrant, long range planning which resulted in the integration of physicians participation in management and delivery of new medical care practices. The shared participation of nurses and physicians added to the quality of patient care services. Equally important, the elected Chief of the medical staff was established as a voting member of the Queen s Board of Directors. Henderson s vision, planning, and inclusion of physicians and employees was the beginning of a transformational metamorphosis of the Queen s Hospital into a world class institution, vibrant today in advanced medical and health care, and the education of physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel serving Hawai'i and Pacific Island areas. A most controversial proposal was to build an office building on Queen s grounds to house independent practicing physicians. It took a number of years to achieve the first office building for 125 doctors. The concept proved to be truly visionary. Today, Queen s has three office buildings and other major Honolulu hospitals have at least one office building for physicians. Equally successful as physician offices on Queen s campus was another surprising proposal: the development of hospital outpatient ambulatory surgery and other same-day services for one day walk-in walk-out medical care. Today, these continue to be a highly successful and growing service in the entire community because of reduced cost, convenience, and high acceptance rates by both doctors and patients. Continued outreach for Queen s to serve outer Oahu and neighbor islands resulted in a heliport being constructed on campus to transport people in need of emergency care. In the early 1960 s, planning for replacement of old, run-down facilities and the introduction of new patient care concepts were in full array. The first intensive care unit in the State of Hawai i was the beginning of a long and successful development of specialty care units and extraordinary medical technology for heart, cancer, orthopedic, stroke, neurosurgery, and almost every known medical problem. Today, the Queen s Medical Center is the equal of many outstanding mainland institutions. In keeping with a vision and a commitment to leadership, the Queen s Hospital in 1968 changed its name to The Queen s Medical Center. Henderson s 26-year tenure with Queen s as President and consultant sparkles with accomplishments. As a major player in community healthcare, he became involved in healthcare delivery and education in Hawai i, Japan, People s Republic of China, and the Philippines. 3
During his 15 years of involvement with the healthcare system in Japan, Henderson developed a great respect and love for the Japanese people. He established a Queen s Medical Center exchange program with Toho University. He participated with a government hospital in Osaka, as well as a large privately-owned hospital. These experiences led to his involvement in the Japan-American Society of Hawai i where he twice served as President in 1983 and 1984. As a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai i, he served as its first Vice President. The supreme recognition of his efforts with diplomats and business leaders to improve understanding and friendship between Japan and the U.S. came in 1988 when Will J. Henderson received the Order of the Rising Sun with Gold Rays and Rosette from the Emperor of Japan. In 1962, as President of the Honolulu Hospital Council, Will encouraged hospitals to form a statewide organization. Today, the Healthcare Association of Hawai'i is a vibrant leadership organization. Throughout his career and retirement, Will had been sought out as a counselor and mentor and to each person and project he gave fully of his time and experience. Governor John A. Burns was a strong proponent for providing educational opportunities for Hawai'i s young people. On occasion, the Governor and Henderson discussed a four-year school of medicine and a teaching hospital on the University of Hawai'i Manoa campus. The Governor and the Legislature worked very hard to make it happen. In the end, it was impossible to finance the project and it was tabled. Henderson met with the committee Chairman and proposed that the cost of the project be cut in half by building the medical school and using existing community hospitals as a venue for teaching clinical practices to students, interns, and residents. The proposal was accepted and today, Hawai'i has a state-of-the-art school of medicine, conducting clinical practices at many venues throughout the State of Hawai'i as well as community hospitals. The University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine serves Hawai'i in many extraordinary ways and is an institution of which all are proud. Henderson believed college degrees were important achievements for young women. Professional degrees for women in Hawai'i were limited in the 1950 s and 1960 s. In addition to a medical school, he worked tirelessly to see the fruition of a two year school of nursing at the University of Hawai'i. All hospital school of nursing programs, long a career opportunity for young people, were closed in the 1960 s. Nursing shortages and lack of professional programs were compelling reasons for the State Legislature to establish a new nurse education program. The Dean of the four- 4
year University of Hawai'i nursing program recognized the need for educational opportunities for Hawai'i s young people. Her strong support assisted in the 1965 birth of a two-year, associate degree program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM). By 1970, UHM expanded the program to Maui Community College, then Kaua'i Community College, and then to Kapi olani Community College. Today, the two-year associate degree nursing programs fulfill important upward mobility for Hawaii s young people. Henderson initiated a management concept called, Vertical/Horizontal Participative Management. One of his employees and protégés was so impressed with the success of the program that she took all of his teachings and published a book entitled, Management 101, and dedicated it to Will. 5 To Will J. Henderson, a man with the confidence to take risks, the vision to build an enduring future, and an indefatigable faith in the power of people. Will Henderson often expressed great appreciation for the commitment and contributions of the many people who preceded him the first 100 years of the Queen s Hospital. 1960 was the first year of the Queen s Medical Center s second century. The problems of the first century continued: a shortage of funds, facilities old and inadequate for future demands, isolated from new technology and advanced medical care, no advanced medical education leadership from the University of Hawai'i, and old turf battles within the community. He shared the pride of those who came with every succeeding generation, who were kama aina in spirit and heart, who contributed to the Queen s of today, modern and progressive, and now the equal of outstanding mainland institutions. The Will J. Henderson Scholarships are commitments of his continued dedication, caring, and serving Hawai'i and his alma mater, Willamette University of Oregon. Henderson established at Willamette University scholarships to support any qualifying high school graduate from Hawai`i; at the Hawai`i Community Foundation, his scholarship provides support for the children of Queen s Medical Center s employees, at the Rotary Club of Honolulu his fund awards scholarships for Hawai`i s students. At the University of Hawai`i Foundation, The Will J. Henderson Aloha Fund gives a one-time annual award to all third-year medical students of the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Will died on October 20, 2016 at the age of 95 years old. He is survived by a niece, Jeanne Henderson of California and the family of the late Dr. Clifford Kobayashi. He will be missed and remembered by his many friends throughout Hawai`i and the world.
ADDENDUM Recognitions Willamette University: Board of Trustees (13 years) Willamette University: Outstanding Alumnus 1979 and 1999 American College Healthcare Executives: Regent American College Healthcare Executives: Fellow American Hospital Association: Board of Trustees University of Hawai'i School of Medicine: Clinical Assistant Professor University of Hawai'i School of Public Health: Clinical Associate Professor Rotary Club of Honolulu: Board of Directors Rotary Club of Honolulu: Outstanding Rotarian 1976 Rotary Club of Honolulu: A Rotary Honored Treasure Rotary Club of Honolulu Foundation: President Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i: Charter Member, 1 st Vice President, Board of Directors Japan America Society of Hawaii: President 1983 and 1984 Africare: Member, Board of Directors Hospital Association of Hawai'i: President 1961 and 1976 HMSA: Member, Board of Directors Army YMCA: Member, Board of Directors City of Pasay, Republic of Philippines: Certificate of Recognition Hawai'i League for Nursing: President Japan America Society of Hawai`i: President, 1983 and 1984 6