Hawaii Medical Association
2026 Physician of the Year
Kore Kai Liow, MD · Hawaiʻi Pacific Neuroscience
We are proud to congratulate Dr. Kore Kai Liow, MD, founder of Hawaiʻi Pacific Neuroscience, on being named the 2026 Physician of the Year by the Hawaii Medical Association — a distinction awarded to physicians who exemplify excellence in research, patient care, and community service.
About the HMA Physician of the Year Award
The Hawaii Medical Association Physician of the Year Award recognises a physician who:
- Is distinguished and recognised in healthcare through excellence in research, patient care, and community service
- Is regarded by peers as a role model for other physicians
- Practises medicine with a collaborative spirit, clinical innovation, and proven skill
- Demonstrates an outstanding commitment to community and those in need
A Neurologist Driven by Purpose
Originally from Singapore, Dr. Kore Kai Liow completed his neurology residency at the University of Utah and a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he developed a deep passion for translating scientific discovery into meaningful patient care. Following an academic career on the mainland, he relocated to Hawaiʻi in 2009.
Recognising critical gaps in access to neurological care across the islands, Dr. Liow and his wife Michelle co-founded Hawaiʻi Pacific Neuroscience — a centre that today serves more than 20,000 patient visits annually, regardless of insurance status. The centre has brought over 200 research therapies to the islands, dramatically expanding access to cutting-edge treatments for patients across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
His sustained efforts to reduce healthcare disparities earned formal recognition from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 2024.
The Hawaiʻi BRAIN Initiative
Dr. Liow built the Hawaiʻi BRAIN (Bridging Research and Innovation in Neuroscience) Initiative to advance basic, translational, and clinical research addressing neurological diseases that disproportionately affect Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands — creating a bridge between world-class science and the communities that need it most.
A Legacy Measured in Impact
200+
Clinical Trials as PI
20,000+
Patient Visits / Year
200+
Research Therapies Introduced
Dr. Liow serves as Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine and continues to serve on an NIH Review Study Section — ensuring that the latest insights in neuroscience research shape the care delivered at Hawaiʻi Pacific Neuroscience.
Investing in the Next Generation
Mentorship sits at the heart of Dr. Liow’s vision for medicine. Through the BRAIN Scholar and Intern Program, he guides the next generation of neuroscientists and clinicians — instilling a commitment to academic excellence and service to community that will carry his legacy far into the future.
“Dr. Liow views medicine as a calling — dedicated to serving underserved communities, providing hope to patients, and inspiring the next generation of healthcare leaders.”
Please join the entire Hawaiʻi Pacific Neuroscience ‘ohana in congratulating Dr. Kore Kai Liow on this well-deserved honour. This recognition is a reflection of his extraordinary dedication to the people of Hawaiʻi and his relentless pursuit of a future where world-class neurological care is accessible to all.
