Medical/Mental Health
“I’m passionate about bringing the highest quality orthopedic care to the island, but with the Aloha that everyone deserves. My patients are my ‘Ohana, and I’d love it if you joined my family.”—Dr. John Livingstone
One of the unfortunate realities of aging with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular situations is the limited number of physicians, never mind orthopedic surgeons, who are knowledgeable and dedicated to treating people with these conditions in Hawai’i. There are many more excellent options for children with orthopedic needs (Shriners and Kapiolani Hospital come to mind), but the availability of care is lacking beyond childhood and into adulthood to our kupuna…until now!
John Nishida, Executive Director of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i received an email from Dr. John Livingstone specifically offering his service to people with cerebral palsy across the lifespan! John and I (Stephen Dantzig, Psy.D.) met with Dr. Livingstone on April 23rd and spent almost an hour “talking story.” We found a gentleman who was not only truly dedicated to his craft and helping people with disabilities, but extremely personable. It turns out that we both spent time in Los Angeles and shared our “lovely” experiences with the 405 Freeway!
More to the point, Dr. Livingstone displayed a true passion for helping people with disabilities live a more productive, healthier and happy life. He also shared his enthusiasm for our own on-going research on the impact of aging with cerebral palsy and our early ideas about proving services to people beyond the school years.
From his website (https://www.livingstoneorthopedics.com/)
Dr. Livingstone was born and raised in San Jose, California, but has proudly made Oʻahu his home since 2016, when his parents moved to Oahu. He feels deeply connected to the community and is honored to provide high-level orthopedic care with the warmth, respect, and aloha that Hawaiʻi is known for.
Dr. Livingstone is passionate about combining advanced orthopedic expertise with a personal, relationship-based approach to care. He believes patients deserve not only excellent outcomes, but also clear communication, thoughtful attention, and a doctor who truly listens.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Livingstone enjoys spearfishing, running, climbing, 3D printing, woodworking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. His love for staying active helps him better understand the goals and challenges of the patients he serves.
Education:
- Undergraduate – UC Berkeley
- Medical School – Western Michigan University
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency – University of Hawaii
- Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
His website offers a great deal of information about his services, but of particular interest to this post is:
Neuromuscular Care – Cerebral Palsy
We specialize in managing both the arms and the legs in patients with neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy. This includes bracing, orthotics, and surgery when necessary. At Livingstone Orthopedics, we provide lifelong care for our patients, no matter your age.
Aloha, mahalo, and welcome Dr. Livingstone!
From the website:
At Shriners Children’s, we are committed to reaching as many children as possible, wherever they may live, and offering them our unique, patient-centered, wraparound care.
Since opening our first hospital in 1922, we have been devoted to providing high-quality specialty medical care to the children and families who come to us, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. A century later, our commitment hasn’t changed — only expanded.
From the website: The mission of Waikiki Health is to provide quality medical and social services that are accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Pacific Disabilities Center—John Burns Medical School
From website: The Pacific Disabilities Center (formerly the Pacific Basin Rehabilitation Research and Training Center) was founded in 1984. It began with a single 10-year grant to provide a bridge to physical and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities post-discharge from the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. The grant was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and focused on Micronesia and other territories and islands.
From there, PDC expanded to projects on a wide variety of topics, including rehabilitation capacity-building, self-employment outcomes, farm workers with disabilities, rehabilitation technology, transitioning for youth with disabilities, emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities and special health needs, projects with industry, traumatic brain injury implementation project, and much more.
PDC is a part of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH) and is affiliated with the John A. Burns School of Medicine. It is staffed by a multidisciplinary team with professional training and knowledge in many areas, including research, evaluation, social work, communication, community development, entrepreneurship, planning and coordination, political science, social media and marketing, project management, public policy, public health, technology, and business.