Kaneshiro awarded first McCorriston professorship

“I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Dr. McCorriston, but I remember all my classmates speaking of him,” said Dr. Bliss Kaneshiro. “He took time to meet with the medical students weekly. They all remember this because it’s unusual. Today they are doctors in the community, continuing his impact in the work they do.”

Kaneshiro addressed faculty and friends of the John A. Burns School of Medicine on February 3. They gathered at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children to remember colleague and mentor Colin McCorriston, and to congratulate Kaneshiro, the first recipient of the Colin C. McCorriston, MD Endowed Professorship in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health.

McCorriston died in 2001, after an outstanding career as professor and physician, influencing generations of Hawai‘i doctors who learned from him, and delivering more than 10,000 babies into the world. JABSOM professor emeritus Dr. Tom Kosasa and the McCorriston family established the professorship to honor McCorriston’s service to UH and the people of Hawai‘i. 

“He was a great teacher and a great person,” said Kosasa. “We are so happy we can honor him and keep his legacy going, and certain that Bliss Kaneshiro will continue his legacy.”

Kaneshiro, a 2001 JABSOM graduate, is the Program Director of Family Planning at her alma mater, and she received the University of Hawai‘i President’s Citation for Meritorious Teaching in 2019 for contributions to teaching and learning. Among other honors, she has also received the 2018 Robert A. Hatcher Family Planning Mentor Award from the Society of Family Planning for her dedication to furthering the careers of a new generation of medical family planning professionals.

“I thank you very much,” said Kaneshiro to her friends and colleagues, “and I want to convey my commitment to being a good steward of the fund, and honoring Dr. McCorriston as I learn more about him and his influence.”