David Y. Ige

LIHUE, HI – The Hawaii State Department of Health has selected Janet Berreman, MD, MPH, to serve as the new district health officer for the Kauai District Health Office, headquartered in Lihue. In her new role, Dr. Berreman will be responsible for directing and coordinating public health programs for the County of Kauai, and will serve the county as its representative from the Hawaii State Department of Health.

Dr. Berreman brings with her an extensive background in public health and medicine. Most recently, Dr. Berreman worked as the health officer for the City of Berkeley, overseeing a full range of public health programs for the last 10 years. Previously, she was honored to be the first pediatrician to join the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where she served families on Oahu’s Leeward coast for 11 years. Prior to that, Dr. Berreman worked as a pediatrician at the Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Berreman back home to Hawaii and to the Department of Health,” said Keith Yamamoto, deputy director of health. “We are confident that her wealth of experience and knowledge will truly benefit the people of Kauai, and are excited to see what she will accomplish for the county in her new role.”

“The biggest lesson I have learned in my career is that healthy communities and healthy families are the result of genuine partnerships among community members, community organizations, elected officials, and healthcare providers,” said Dr. Berreman. “My first priority as Kauai District Health Officer is to become acquainted with the Kauai community, officials, and organizations, so that the District Health Office can continue to be a vital partner in making Kauai a healthy and thriving community for all.”

Dr. Berreman replaces long-time Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Dileep Bal, who retired in 2016, after serving in the position for more than a decade.

The Kauai District Health Office, located at 3040 Umi Street in Lihue, provides public health services to the community in the areas of emergency preparedness, family health services, WIC, public health nursing, developmental disabilities, environmental health (vector control, air quality, water quality, and sanitation programs), vital statistics (birth, marriage, and death records), and infectious and chronic disease prevention and control. The office also works in close coordination with adult and child mental health services. The office employs a public health staff of approximately 70 workers. For more information about the Kauai District Health Office, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/kauai/.

Please find attached a photo of Dr. Berreman for your use, courtesy of the Hawaii State Department of Health.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Janet Berreman, MD, MPH

Kauai District Health Office

Phone: (808) 241-3614

 

Janice Okubo

Communications Office

Phone: (808) 586-4445