Dr. Kealohaku’ualohaku’upoki’i (Poki’i) Balaz is a Public Health Executive Leader and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Innovation. In this role, she is dedicated to transforming long-term care systems through innovative solutions and culturally grounded policies. As a Native Hawaiian geriatric nurse practitioner at Kōkua Kalihi Valley Health Center, her clinical expertise, combined with her experience as a caregiver for family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism, informs her advocacy for holistic and culturally sensitive care. Dr. Balaz previously held key roles at Lunalilo Home, including Chief Policy and Compliance Officer and Interim Executive Director, where she improved community connections, resident care, and staff recruitment.
Dr. Balaz has significantly advanced aging-related legislation in Hawai’i, including the Silver Alert Bill and the Family Caregiver Assistance Act. She chairs the Quality Care Committee and the Long-Term Interagency Task Force, where she emphasizes the expansion of care and improvement of population health. Her academic background includes an Executive Master of Business Education, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education, complemented by additional training in Native Hawaiian medicine. She has been recognized with a Congressional Commendation, an honorary certificate for service to the State of Hawai'i, and inclusion in Hawai’i Business Magazine “20 for the Next 20.” Notably, she is the first leader from Hawai'i to be accepted into the Obama Foundation Scholars Program.
Dr. Balaz serves on the Alzheimer’s Association’s Board of Directors and contributes to the Strategic Plan subcommittee. She is actively involved in national and international committees, including IA2, the Moving Forward Coalition, CARE Registry at UCSF, and the Center for Health Policy at Columbia University. Locally, she contributes to the Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs and initiatives such as the Healthy Brain Initiative Native Hawaiian Roadmap. Her research and publications focus on cultural adaptation in health interventions and public policy impacts. Dr. Balaz has interests in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, caregiver financial viability, and Native Hawaiian health, with an emphasis on innovation, strategic planning, systems change, and policy development.