Will Henderson

Quality Education for Generations to Come

Will J. Henderson's 26-year tenure at Queen's Medical Center, as president and consultant from 1960-1986, is rich with meaningful accomplishments. A mentor to more than 50 individuals throughout his lifetime, Will set the standard in hospital leadership with compassion, understanding and dedication. As a major player in community health care, he became involved in the health care industry and education in Hawai'i, Japan, People's Republic of China and the Philippines.

Because Will cherished his time and experience with the staff at Queen's, he wanted to create a transformational gift to benefit their children's futures. As a result, Will has established two charitable gift annuities that will create an endowed scholarship fund to support children of Queen's employees. He also included a substantial charitable bequest in his estate plan for the same purpose. These generous gifts will allow employees at Queen's to send their children to the University of Hawai'i where they will receive quality education for generations to come.

During his career, Henderson was involved in the health care industry and education in Hawai'i, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Philippines. He has been recognized for his contributions in myriad ways including being the recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays and Rosette from the Emperor of Japan.

In addition to playing a key leadership role in healthcare, Henderson has been an active community leader, serving as a charter member of the board of directors and first vice president of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; president of the Japan America Society of Hawai'i; member of the board of trustees at Willamette University; regent and life fellow of the American College of Health-Care Executives; and member of the board of trustees of the American Hospital Association. He has also served as the president of Rotary Foundation of Honolulu, and president of Hawai'i Health Care Association. Henderson was the first academically trained hospital executive in Hawai'i, having earned a Master's degree in hospital administration from the University of California, Berkeley.

Henderson also has created a scholarship for first-year medical school students at John A. Burns School of Medicine. Read more about the Will J. Henderson Aloha Fund here.