Inspire 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

Wilcox: New Chapter of Nuclear Medicine

Wilcox nuclear medicine technologist Greg Hawk prepares to conduct an exam.

In today’s world of modern medicine, there are many ways to see inside the human body using CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and more. But there’s another method you may not have heard of — nuclear medicine imaging. While it may sound intimidating, nuclear medicine is a safe and effective form of imaging that can help detect life-threatening diseases and conditions. Soon, Wilcox Medical Center will be able to expand this care.

Instead of assessing how your organs look, like with other forms of imaging, nuclear medicine uses small, safe amounts of radioactive tracer material to analyze how well your organs are working.

“Nuclear medicine is valuable for detecting conditions prevalent both nationally and in communities like Kauai,” said Greg Hawk, nuclear medicine technologist at Wilcox. “This includes cancer, heart disease, chronic conditions and acute disorders such as gastrointestinal bleeds.

Wilcox performs about 650 nuclear medicine exams annually. Now, work is underway to renovate and expand Wilcox’s Nuclear Medicine Unit to serve even more people across Kauai. This includes acquiring a new imaging camera and renovating the hot lab, which is where radioactive medicines are prepared for exams.

Hawk, who has been with Wilcox for well over a decade, is excited for what’s to come. With the upgrades, Wilcox will be able to conduct nuclear medicine exams with greater efficiency so more patients can be examined on Kauai instead of traveling to Oahu. The new equipment will also provide clearer images, streamlining the process of diagnosing patients.

This project was made possible through two major grants. The Atherton Family Foundation awarded Wilcox $100,000 and the state of Hawaii provided $350,000 through the grant-in-aid program.

“We are truly grateful for this investment in the future of health care on Kauai,” said Jen Chahanovich, Wilcox president and CEO, and CEO of Kauai Medical Clinic. “Imaging is a critical tool for taking care of our community now and for generations to come. Upgrading our Nuclear Medicine Unit will further enhance the imaging capabilities at Wilcox and strengthen the island’s health care infrastructure.”