Guided by a lifelong dream to make a difference, Alyssa Carey impacts the lives of Hawaii children and their families every day as a social worker at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children’s Pediatric Complex Care Clinic (PC3). From coordinating care to connecting families with essential community resources, Alyssa is a trusted partner in her patients’ medical journeys. And in her tireless work to ensure every eligible child may experience the transformative power of a wish, she is also a valued partner in our mission at Make-A-Wish Hawaii. 

Most of Alyssa’s patients are nonverbal, and many face lifelong conditions, sometimes multiple conditions at once. The Kapi‘olani clinic streamlines their care, allowing them to see all their specialists—including a nurse practitioner, dietitian, behavioral health specialist, palliative care APRN, pulmonologist, neurologist, physiatrist, orthopedic surgeon and the Ho‘omana rehab team—at the same time. Because their conditions are more complex, there is a lot involved in the referral process that qualifies patients for a wish.  

That’s where Alyssa comes in. She is in constant communication with the team at Make-A-Wish Hawaii, asking questions about potential eligibility, providing supporting documentation, and giving valuable feedback on the referral process—all with the goal of granting as many wishes as possible. 

“I don’t think families know how much work goes on behind the scenes, and I don’t like to tell them,” says Alyssa. “They have so much going on, and I try to go the extra mile and advocate for them so they can focus on the day-to-day.”  

Her dedication has made a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients. Thanks to her thoughtful efforts, more children than ever are being identified as candidates for the Make-A-Wish Hawaii program and have either had wishes granted or are now beginning their wish journeys. Alyssa has even inspired fellow providers to refer patients with complex diagnoses, helping bring more hope, brighter futures, and life-changing wishes to Hawaii keiki.  

Now, when she and her team sit down with patients, there is another element in the room, one more tangible than ever: hope. Photos of smiling siblings, excited updates about wishes in the works, collaborative brainstorms about how best to honor a child’s unique medical needs while fulfilling their most heartfelt desires—such moments now infuse joy into the journey.

“These families have so many ups and downs, and wishes provide something to look forward to,” Alyssa says. “Knowing they can have a great experience together and make memories that will last the rest of their lives is impactful for the whole family.” 

Mahalo to Alyssa for transforming lives through her referrals! To learn more about wish eligibility or to make a life-changing wish referral, visit wish.org/refer-a-child.