Our Providers
Paula Nichaelle Aquino, APRN
Paula Nichaelle Aquino is a highly qualified Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). She is certified as an APRN-RX and FNP-BC, showcasing her extensive training and proficiency in family nursing practice. She is adept in offering comprehensive care to patients across all age groups. Her expertise lies in preventive care, accurate diagnosis, and effective management of various health conditions. With a patient-centered approach, she ensures that each individual receives personalized care tailored to their unique health needs. Her commitment to her profession is evident in her dedication to providing quality healthcare, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being. Her role in our medical team is instrumental in delivering accessible and compassionate healthcare services to our community.
Rainier Dennis D. Bautista MD
Dr. Bautista is a graduate of the Ateneo De Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas - Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is certified by the American Board of Family medicine.
Despite this hectic schedule, he was also invited to join the University of Hawaii - John A. Burns School of Medicine, where he is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor. He is likewise a mentor of the preceptorship program under Dr. Sonido, giving back and helping current and future preceptees to achieve their goals for residency and training.
In his free time, Dr. Bautista enjoys hiking, cooking, and travelling.
Dr. Bautista is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians
Dr. Fortunato Elizaga MD
Dr. Fortunato Elizaga is a respected Primary Care Physician with a rich educational background from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial. His comprehensive training includes a residency in Internal Medicine at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and fellowships in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Rush University Medical Center and The Queen's Medical Center. Board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Elizaga brings a unique depth of knowledge and expertise to his practice. His diverse experience in Hematology and Oncology enhances his proficiency in providing holistic primary care. Now a key member of the Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii, Dr. Elizaga is dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care, focusing on the overall health and well-being of his patients.
Practice Location(s): Liliha,
Jon Avery T. Go MD
Born and raised in Manila, Dr. Go is fluent in Tagalog and English, and can also speak the Chinese dialect Fukien. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas and graduated as Cum Laude for his pre-medical course BS Physical Therapy and as Magna Cum Laude for his Doctor in Medicine. He subsequently moved to the US to pursue further medical training and did his Internal Medicine Residency at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI. He got his ABIM Board Certification in Internal Medicine in 2012.
Dr. Go started his primary care career in San Antonio, TX as one of the primary care doctors at the Texas Diabetes Institute, a comprehensive diabetes center under the auspices of UT Health San Antonio and University Health System that serves a population with complicated medical issues.
In 2016, he moved to Hawaii and joined the practice of Dr. Charlie Sonido of Charlie Y. Sonido, MD Inc at the Waipahu clinic. He brings with him his knowledge and experience from the Texas Diabetes Institute, providing quality and compassionate care to the people of Hawaii. Together with Dr. Sonido, he mentors Filipino and American medical students, paying it forward and guiding the next generation of doctors.
When he has time, Dr. Go loves to hike, travel, and explore new places together with his family, composed of his wife Valerie, a nephrologist, and his daughter Shannon, who is enrolled in Punahou School. On other days, they prefer to just sit back, relax and watch the Amazing Race or Meteor Garden.
Charmaine Gonzalvo, APRN
Charmaine Gonzalvo is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing, distinguished by her six years of experience as a compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse. Her professional journey is marked by a commitment to providing holistic, patient-centered care across diverse populations, adeptly managing both acute and chronic conditions. Charmaine’s mission centers on delivering quality care through competence, compassion, and dedication, with a vision to enhance health awareness and literacy in her community. Her active engagement in the nursing community is evident through her memberships in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and community service
Arcelita Imasa, MD
Dr. Arcelita Imasa is a distinguished Family Medicine specialist, educated at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Hawaii from 2019 to 2022. Board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, she possesses extensive experience in treating patients of all ages and managing a wide range of medical conditions. Prior to joining our clinic, Dr. Imasa served the community of Lanai, where she honed her skills in delivering patient-centered care. Her approach to medicine is holistic and personalized, ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of comprehensive healthcare
Practice Location(s): ,Gulick
Edward Lanson MD
Dr. Lanson has been on Kauai for many years. He was with Dr. Constante Flora until his retirement and has been with Primary Care of Kauai since it started. Dr. Lanson does general practice at the Lihue Office. When not serving his patients, he enjoys keeping up with the garden.
Practice Location(s): Lihue
Dennis R. Scheppers MD
Dr. Scheppers finished his Family Practice Residency and became Board Certified in 1985. He was re-certified in 2002. Dr. Scheppers has been serving the people of Kauai for the last 20 years. He has a special interest in supporting the Special Olympics and serves as a chaperone, coach and allied participant in the summer games every year.
Practice Location(s): Lihue
Charles Dean Sonido DO
Dr. Charles Sonido was born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He finished his DO degree at AT Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his family medicine residency at the University of Hawaii where he was chief resident. He is a board certified Family physician and speaks Spanish, Ilokano and Tagalog.
He is passionate about community service, teaching, and music. During his leisure time, he loves playing chess, piano, and tennis
Dr. Charles Sonido will be spending most of his primary care practice in PCCH-Hilo.
Charlie Y. Sonido MD
Dr. Sonido is a board-certified internist who obtained his residency at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and University of Hawaii - John A. Burns School of Medicine.
With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in complex adult medical problems, including diabetes, cholesterol, gout, COPD, and heart failure, among others. He is one of only four physicians in the entire state of Hawaii who is certified by the American Society of Hypertension as a hypertension expert.
As an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the UH-JABSOM, he has taught and trained many medical students and residents. He is also a preceptor and mentor for Filipino and American medical students at his clinic in Waipahu.
Over the past 35 years, he has joined and led many major medical missions to the Philippines under the Ohana Medical Mission group, never failing to give back to his home province in Ilocos.
He is a cofounder of the Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls, and Doctors On Stage. He is also the executive editor and publisher of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.
Recipient of many community and professional awards, he was selected as most outstanding physician by the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii in 2009.
He is married with 2 children, one of whom is a Family Medicine resident at UH-JABSOM.
Practice Location(s): Waipahu, Kalihi, Liliha, Lihue, Gulick
Josephine Waite MD
Dr. Josephine Waite, an esteemed Internal Medicine specialist, completed her medical education at the University of Santo Tomas, known for its rigorous medical program. She further advanced her expertise with a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus from 1993 to 1996. Board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Waite has dedicated her career to the comprehensive care of adult patients. She specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of acute and chronic illnesses, emphasizing preventive medicine and overall patient wellness. Dr. Waite's approach is characterized by a commitment to patient education and a focus on tailoring treatment plans to the individual needs of each patient.
Practice Location(s): Liliha,
Seiji Yamada MD
Seiji Yamada, MD, MPH was born in Hiroshima and grew up a suburb of Chicago. He obtained his MD from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1987, and completed a residency in family medicine at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1990. He obtained a Masters in Public Health from the University of Hawai'i in 1996. He practiced in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands from 1990 to 1993. He has practiced in Hawai'i since 1994
As a Professor in the UH Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, he teaches medical students and trains family medicine residents in the inpatient and outpatient settings. His clinical interests include women's health, mental health, hepatitis B, Hansen's disease, and tuberculosis. His academic interests include community health, access to health care for the underserved, cross-cultural health, disaster relief, and climate change.
Practice Location(s): Waipahu