LIHU’E — Dr. Krishna Kumar, a psychiatrist on Kaua’i, was recently honored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), who bestowed upon the doctor the highest honor given by APA. Kumar was awarded distinguished life fellow status by the president of
LIHU’E — Dr. Krishna Kumar, a psychiatrist on Kaua’i, was recently honored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), who bestowed upon the doctor the highest honor given by APA.
Kumar was awarded distinguished life fellow status by the president of the APA, and is the only psychiatrist in the state to receive this distinction in 2006.
Kumar’s 35-year journey as a psychiatrist has always been about his dedication to members of Kaua’i’s community, and especially the youth of the island, reads a description of the doctor’s commitment to his profession in a proclamation signed by Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.
Treatment and care of his psychiatric patients and members of their families is only part of the story, as he collaborates with various healthcare professionals for comprehensive care of the patient while working to remove the stigma of mental illness by increasing awareness of the disease.
En route to being given the prestigious APA title, Kumar earned numerous awards through his passion to help individuals.
These include the Overall Public Affairs Network Award as public affairs chairman of the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association for the American Psychiatric Association in 1992, and again in 1994.
In 1995, Kumar was awarded the Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally 111, and also received certificates of recognition for his work from members of the Hawai’i state Senate, the Hawai’i House of Representatives, and the Kaua’i County Council.
“The people of Kaua’i and Ni’ihau are blessed to have Dr. Kumar in our community,” said Baptiste. “He has shown his patients and clients how to care, love, and respect each other. These are his greatest assets.” In addition to the mayoral proclamation that declared March 8 as Dr. Krishna Kumar Day, Kumar also received a letter of commendation from U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai’i, a letter from U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie. D-urban O’ahu, a certificate of commendation from Gov. Linda Lingle, and certificates from leaders of the state House and the Kaua’i County Council.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
