Jennifer F. Carney, MD

I first came to Hawaii to attend a close friend’s wedding. When I walked off the plane on Oahu feeling elated and peaceful, I knew this was going to be my home. After that experience, all my goals were set for Hawaii. I even planned my fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Michigan knowing it had excellent training in both community and academic settings, so I could return to Hawaii to practice. Living in Hawaii has been the best decision of my life. My parents sacrificed their birthright to come to the U.S. where my father could re-train as a surgical subspecialist. My father is a 16th generation physician. Our family originally started off as “barefoot doctors” in Taiwan. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, where my father was completing his residency, I was raised in North Carolina, where my father completed his fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. By that time, my three siblings and I were fluent in English, and my parents knew they could not go back as originally planned. I admired my father's commitment and honorable vocation as a surgeon and respected our long history as healers. It was easy to decide on a career in medicine.

About my practice

Oncology was my first medical school rotation. I loved the patients and their families. Most of all, I appreciated the importance of multidisciplinary, team-based care.It's easy to be up-to-date on medicine but empathy is the most valuable gift we can share with our members. I enjoy seeing families come together during times of strife or celebration and love seeing people grow stronger in some of the most difficult times during treatment. I have so much respect for our patients who are working through cancer, and building families through cancer. I'm very lucky to do what I do. We have a highly driven, comprehensive, expert panel of leaders within the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group (HPMG), and I am proud to work in my department. I have appreciated HPMG’s investment in me as a physician, from medicine and management to Grand Rounds. HPMG acknowledges our need for continual development and growth as physicians. I also appreciate Kaiser Permanente's investment in clinical trials and research, and I enjoy using my additional training to benefit our patients. I am the chief of the Hematology Oncology Department at HPMG. I serve on the board of Directors for Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology, the main affiliate for the American Society of Clinical Oncology. I am a scientific member of the Institutional Review Board, and a steering board committee member of Kaiser Permanente Oncology Clinical Trials. I am a member of the Cooperative Groups (NSABP, SWOG) for clinical trials, and principal investigator, or sub principal investigator, for multiple clinical trials for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. I hold a master’s degree in clinical research.

How I thrive

I stay thankful. In my free time, I enjoy running and family time with my husband and new child. I believe in giving back, including to my parents who sacrificed everything for their children.