UH Hilo pharmacy alumnus takes on new role at the Hawai‘i Department of Health
Garrett Hino will focus on promoting antimicrobial stewardship that includes appropriate use of antibiotics at long-term care facilities and acute care hospitals around the state.
A graduate of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo has filled a new pharmacist position at the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH).
Garrett Hino, a UH Hilo pharmacy graduate and one of only two board-certified infectious disease pharmacists in the state, started his new job in February. Hino will focus on promoting antimicrobial stewardship that includes appropriate use of antibiotics.
“In this new position, I’m part of a DOH team working to establish a relationship with the staff at long-term care facilities and acute care hospitals around the state,” says Hilo.
He says his goals are to optimize antimicrobial stewardship practices through better education, and to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance that can occur from inappropriate antibiotic use.
“I’m really happy to be able to work in my home state and serve our local communities,” he adds.
Hino completed a bachelor of science in biology at UH Hilo and graduated from the university’s pharmacy college in 2018. He was selected for a one-year residency at the college, and then went on to complete a two-year infectious disease fellowship at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California in 2021.
Since 2016, faculty at the UH Hilo pharmacy college have supported the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs in the state by providing technical assistance and education for participating healthcare facilities. This new position at DOH was created with the support of the pharmacy college to broaden the role of pharmacy in safeguarding community health.
Faculty will continue to provide oversight, strategic guidance, and assistance in defining the scope of the new position.
Read full story at UH System News.
