Preferred Name: Dr. Kealohakuʻualohakuʻupokiʻi Balaz
Affiliation: Columbia University Center for Health Policy
Dr. Kealohaku’ualohaku’upoki’i (Poki’i) Balaz is a Public Health Executive Leader who has dedicated her career to advancing health initiatives through innovative strategies in healthcare policies and systems change, with an emphasis on aging and advocacy for underserved and aging populations. Using both her clinical and leadership abilities, she addresses critical healthcare issues and advocates for the improvement of public health and the welfare of marginalized communities. Dr. Balaz has provided consulting services and guidance to several organizations over the last decade to identify inefficiencies based on individual organizational needs, challenges, and audiences. As a Native Hawaiian, geriatric nurse practitioner, caregiver to her father who has Alzheimer’s Disease and her nephew who is autistic, Dr. Balaz has seen firsthand how a cultural approach to caregiving improves health outcomes for aging individuals as well as how cultural values motivate the surrounding community to participate in a continuum of care. Her extensive clinical background and focus on resource optimization. Dr. Balaz aims to address senior care issues through public policy. Accepting invitations by both her congressman and governor to contribute to the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council and Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, Dr. Balaz has advocated at the nation’s capital and worked on legislation that protects the interests of aging residents and that educates families on the complexities of healthcare for aging relatives. She serves as a member of the Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Board, Hawai’i Dementia Initiative, implementing CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative first Native Hawaiian Road Map, co facilitator of the Savvy Caregiver Program, recipient of the Alzheimer Association’s Advocate of the Year Award, Pacific Business News 40 under 40, Hawaii Business Magazine 20 for the next 20, Certificate of Honor from the Hawai’i State Legislature, and Association of Hawaiian Civic clubs as the first leader from Hawai’i to be selected to the Obama Foundation Scholars Program.
