Hawaiʻi Permanente Medical Group celebrates 65 years of physician-led care

Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group, the state’s largest multi-specialty physician organization, marked its 65th anniversary with a special ceremony and official proclamations from state and city officials, recognizing decades of service, innovation and leadership in health care, a news release said.

Founded in 1960, Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group began with a small group of physicians committed to integrated, team-based care.

“Sixty-five years ago, a small band of physicians believed Hawaii could have a different kind of health care — coordinated across specialties, centered on the whole person,” said John Yang, MD, president and medical director of Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group.

Today, the Honolulu-based group has grown to nearly 800 physicians and advanced practice providers, caring for more than 270,000 Kaiser Permanente members across the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group has been recognized nationally for clinical excellence, health equity, and physician leadership, the news release said.

In 2025, Castle Connolly ranked the group No. 3 in the United States for Asian American and Pacific Islander representation.

Key milestones highlighted during the anniversary year include early adoption of electronic medical records, the launch of an internal medicine residency and a physician assistant fellowship, progressive programs supporting physician wellness, and achieving gender parity among medical staff.

“That vision continues to guide us as we innovate and care for Hawaiʻi’s people like family,” Yang said. “As we celebrate 65 years, we’re focused on the next 65 — advancing medicine and training the next generation of clinicians to ensure every person in Hawaiʻi can thrive.”

Looking ahead, Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group said it plans to expand access to primary and specialty care across the islands, strengthen telehealth services, and invest in programs that address social and cultural determinants of health.