sally’s story

The time has come to expand cancer and infusion services for women and children statewide. As we embark on this capital expansion, we want to honor the late Martha B. Smith. For more than 30 years, Martha worked passionately to improve health care in Hawai‘i. During her time as Kapiolani’s chief executive officer, she led her team to aspire for a united vision — to create the preeminent health care center for women and children in Hawaii and the Pacific, and to build a space that supported family-centered care for patients, families and staff. As part of Martha’s legacy, Hawaii Pacific Health will name the new center the Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Beachcombing is everything to Dr. (Sally) Deacon Ritterbush. It is her passion which she has turned into her career. But in 2014, she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer at the age of 63 and treatment meant she could no longer visit the beach. See how the Kapiolani Women’s Center helped her return to the coastline. This is Deacon’s story.