Elizabeth T. Ferreira
Occupation: Emergency medicine physician and television medical consultant
College: University of California, Irvine
Medical School: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine
What school you grad? Kalani High ‘09
Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Honolulu native Dr. Elizabeth T. Ferreira is a proud graduate of Kalani High School and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Following medical school, she completed her residency training in emergency medicine at UCLA Olive View and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centers. She now resides in Los Angeles, Calif., where she works as both an emergency medicine physician and a medical consultant for the award-winning HBO Max series “The Pitt,” a medical drama that follows the daily lives of health care professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital.
Watch a Variety interview with Dr. Ferreira on how she coaches actors through the jargon and how accurately “The Pitt” depicts medical emergencies.
Q: What was your journey like after high school?
A: Throughout high school, I studied very hard and filled my schedule with extracurriculars to get into college—there were a lot of sleepless nights. I was fortunate to be accepted to the University of California, Irvine, and was able to graduate in 3 1/2 years with the use of AP credits.
Already knowing I wanted to pursue medicine, I took a pre-med route, took my MCATs and was fortunate enough to get into University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, my dream medical school.
Following my studies at JABSOM, I met Drs. Kellie Kitamura and Ricky Amii, who mentored me on my path toward emergency medicine, and I matched at University of California, Los Angeles Olive View and Ronald Reagan Medical Centers for my specialty training.
From elementary school through higher education, I am a very proud public school graduate.
Q: What are you up to these days?
A: I am currently spending my time between my work as an emergency medicine physician at a local hospital in Los Angeles and doing consulting for the television show “The Pitt” on HBO Max. When I have the chance, I come home to O‘ahu often to see my family and close friends and enjoy the beach!
Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
A: An emergency room visit is never planned and always unexpected. Often it is the worst day of someone’s life. I would like to be there for people on those days, in hopes that I may make it better.
Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
A: Yes, it is true, public school resources do not always match that of our private school counterparts, but I have met many public school graduates who have gone on to do amazing things. Environment matters, but so do dedication, patience and tenacity. The one thing public school taught me is that you have to believe in yourself, always bet on you! I am so thankful my teachers always believed in me.
Q: Favorite subject in school?
A: I have two: AP Literature and Biology (of course!).
Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
A: I was involved in student government, HOSA Future Health Professionals and cross country (just one season. If I could do it all over again, I would have tried harder, haha!). I also volunteered at Kapi‘olani Medical Center and local beach clean ups. My weekends were spent working for my family’s shop at the (old) International Marketplace in Waikīkī – the only weekend I ever had off in high school was for junior and senior prom!
Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
A: Mr. Alex Kendrick, my AP Literature teacher at Kalani High School.
Q: What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast?
A: Three Portuguese sausages, rice, shoyu and a carton of milk.
Q: What advice do you have for students?
A: Learn to speak well, listen often, and begin every task with curiosity and respect. Learn to speak well in order to articulate your thoughts to a broad range of people; communication is the key to connection. Learning to listen will often help you get where you want to go in half the time. With anything you do in life, do it respectfully and always ask questions; you’ll surprise yourself with what you learn. Dream big and set frequent reminders for yourself! Vision boards for the long-term goal really do work!
