HAWAII PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM
The Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii preceptorship, started by Dr. Charlie Sonido, has helped train numerous medical students, international medical graduates, medical residents, and nurse practitioners, with the aim to produce conscientious, compassionate and highly competent providers.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Curriculum
Primary Care Clinic and TITANS-Hawaii Preceptorship Program’s Curriculum is aligned with the Six ACGME Core competencies:
Medical Knowledge
Our program is designed to expand clinical knowledge and improve interpersonal skills within the American healthcare context. We provide a platform for gaining experience in outpatient primary care, with a focus on outcome-based management strategies. Our goal is to develop practitioners who are well-rounded, versatile, and culturally competent. They will possess comprehensive knowledge in conditions frequently encountered in primary care, including:
Hypertension
Heart Failure
Coronary Artery Disease
Dyslipidemia
Atrial Fibrillation
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease
Osteoporosis
Gout
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma
Migraine and Other Chronic Headaches
Stroke
Chronic Kidney Disease
Electrolyte Disorders
Anemia
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Acute and Chronic Infections
Preventive Health
Patient Care and Procedural Skills
Participants in our program will have the opportunity to observe and learn from a variety of procedures in Ambulatory Surgery, Sports Medicine, and Women’s Health.
Systems-Based Practice
Our preceptees will experience high-quality, cost-effective medical care across multiple clinics. This exposure allows them to understand healthcare delivery in the context of local healthcare systems and resources. They will also engage in quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient engagement, closing gaps in preventive care, and improving patient outcomes.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
We emphasize learning through didactics and intensive study of the latest scientific evidence, ensuring that our preceptees stay at the forefront of medical advancements.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Our training includes diverse communication approaches, enabling preceptees to effectively collaborate within healthcare teams and establish therapeutic relationships with patients and their families.
Professionalism
Our preceptees interact with a diverse population, including individuals from various educational, economic, and cultural backgrounds. They are trained to treat every individual with the utmost dignity and respect.
Preceptors
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.
Clinic Sites: Waipahu, Gulick, Lihue
Rainier Dennis D. Bautista MD, DABFM, FAAFP
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 Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians
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.
Clinic Sites: Kalihi, Waipahu, Lihue
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.
Clinic Sites: Waipahu, Kalihi
Charles 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.
Clinic Sites: Hilo, Waipahu, Wahiawa
Paula Nichaelle Aquino, APRN
Seiji Yamada, MD, MPH
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.
Clinic Sites: Waipahu
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.
Clinic Sites: Gulick
Anna Melissa Lo, MD
Dr. Lo completed both undergrad (BS Nursing) and postgraduate medical degrees from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. She pursued further medical training in the US and completed her residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her interest in diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other hormone pathologies led her to finishing a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lo was likewise a preceptee under Dr. Sonido’s preceptorial program. Her time in Hawaii left a lasting mark, not just with its beautiful islands and perfect weather, but more so with the values and kindness expressed by its people and their ‘Ohana’ mentality. She is eager to share the same attitude by serving and committing to the health of the Hawaiian community.
In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and reading
Clinic Sites: Endocrinology at Liliha, Waipahu, North King
How to apply
US Medical Students, Residents, and Nurse Practitioner Students,
Please communicate directly with our program coordinator using the following emails:
MD Pathway: preceptorship@primarycareclinichawaii.com
NP Pathway: nppreceptorship@primarycareclinichawaii.com
International Medical Graduates
We require completion of USMLE Step 1 prior to beginning our preceptorship program. Our program rigorously prepares students for step 2 and the match interview process. Please complete and submit the form below.
***We prioritize applicants that can complete an intensive minimum of 3 months.
Please click the button below to submit an application
Nurse Practitioner Students
We are only accepting students for the following rotations:
Adult (18+ years old) Primary Care
Outpatient Geriatric Care
We are not accepting rotations for Women’s Health or Pediatric Care.
Please click the button below to submit an application
What to expect?
Once your application is submitted you will be contacted by one of our preceptorship coordinators. They will request for your CV/resume, scores, and a cover letter in response to a prompt. If your application has passed the first round- you will be invited to participate in a virtual interview with our approval board.
You will then be ranked against your cohort (dependent on intended preceptorship start date) and spots will be filled accordingly.