Arlan Koizumi thought he had a cold, maybe bronchitis. But the otherwise healthy young man from Waikele couldnʼt fall asleep. Eventually, he asked his mother to drive him to the hospital.

The 31-year-old was fortunate that Pali Momi Medical Center is close to home, serving the Leeward community for 20 years. Because what Arlan had was sepsis, a bacterial infection in his blood – and it quickly spread to his organs. Within hours, his blood pressure dropped, he became septic, and it was hard to breathe. His body was shutting down.

But in Pali Momiʼs Intensive Care Unit, doctors and nurses worked with him constantly. Eventually, his body began to respond to treatments. He spent nearly a month hospitalized. Today, Arlan has made a full recovery.

“People there gave us so much support,” say his parents. “Pali Momi is a great place to be if you need that kind of service and help.”

“Knowing I can make a difference in peopleʼs lives, thatʼs why I chose medicine,” adds Dr. Ky Le.