After 34 years at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Lani Yukimura retired Friday from her most recent role as director of philanthropy and community relations. Yukimura began her career at Wilcox at the Adult Day Care program in 1974 as a therapist,
After 34 years at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Lani Yukimura retired Friday from her most recent role as director of philanthropy and community relations.
Yukimura began her career at Wilcox at the Adult Day Care program in 1974 as a therapist, and eventually served as its director, before moving into marketing in 1999. In the last two years she has also directed the hospital’s philanthropic work.
Yukimura said that during her tenure she acquired a great appreciation for the respect and care shown to the elderly.
“Kaua‘i takes exquisite care of its elderly,” she said.
Some of Yukimura’s greatest accomplishments include shaping the Adult Day Care program and serving on the task force that made Wilcox the first smoke-free hospital in the state in 2002.
“That was a big step in health care,” Yukimura said.
Asked what she’ll miss most about Wilcox, Yukimura said, without hesitation, “absolutely the people.”
Her work as spokeswoman for the hospital allowed her to get to know all the doctors and services provided — something she enjoyed greatly.
With even less reservation, though, she will ease into retirement with more time to spend at home with her first grandchild, Mason, born June 5.
“It’s really easy to decide to retire right now,” she said. Still, Yukimura isn’t leaving Wilcox cold turkey. She’s going to see through the hospital’s Nov. 8 gala at Kilohana as the volunteer chair
In her stead, Brooke Johnson has been named public relations officer and marketing manager, and Wilcox is currently seeking an associate director of philanthropy.
