13 Jan Celebrating Korean American Day
January 13, 2022— National Korean American Day (January 13) commemorates the day the first significant wave of Korean immigrants arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1903. The day also honors and celebrates the contributions that Korean Americans, past and present, have made in our communities.
In 1986, Kheir Clinic was established to serve as a bridge between the low-income, recently-immigrated, non-English speaking Korean community and local health and social service providers in Los Angeles. Today, Kheir is a broad-based agency and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive services for underserved populations in Southern California. Kheir Clinic is the first FQHC in the country serving a majority Korean patient population. Read on to learn about three Korean Americans who are a part of our Kheir Clinic community.
Miyong K., Kheir Clinic Nurse Practitioner
Born and raised in Korea, Miyong started her career as a nurse in Seoul. After 10 years in the field, she dreamed of moving to America, and went back to school to study English language and culture in preparation for her big move across the world. As a new U.S. resident, Miyong continued her nursing education, and she worked with psychiatric patients at a mental health facility in New York City before enlisting in the military, starting with basic training in San Antonio, Texas. Miyong served in the U.S. Army for 8 years, working as an Army Officer at Army Medical Centers, Combat Support Hospitals, and VA Hospitals, providing compassionate care for active duty soldiers, veterans and their families. She has been trained in Combat Casualty Care and Officer Leadership, and she served as a preceptor for Korean Army Captains while on assignment at a U.S. Army Hospital in Yongsan, Korea. After her time in the service, Miyong continued to grow in her medical career and received her Master’s degree from UCLA’s prestigious School of Nursing. Today, Miyong is a Nurse Practitioner at Kheir Clinic here in Koreatown. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, which benefits both Korean and non-Korean patients. Miyong is an important Korean American leader in our community, and we are grateful for all that she contributes to the team at Kheir Clinic.
Mrs. Song, Kheir Vermont Adult Day Health Center Participant
Mrs. Song was born in Korea in 1935. When Mrs. Song was in her 50s, she immigrated to the U.S. to live with her younger sister who was already living in the Los Angeles area. At first, life was difficult for Mrs. Song because she was unfamiliar with English and American culture. Currently, Mrs. Song says she is happy to live in the United States and she is grateful that seniors have benefits and government support. There is one thing that weighs heavy on her heart, though. Mrs. Song’s husband also attended Kheir Vermont Adult Day Health Care Center (ADHC), and he enjoyed all of the activities and fellowship with other participants. Isolating was very difficult for him and his health deteriorated during the pandemic. He passed away last year. Mrs. Song says she misses him everyday, but she is grateful to see her friends and the staff at Kheir’s ADHC. She has led a full and happy life and feels proud to be Korean American when she hears good news and success stories about Korean Americans and Koreans.
Roy Choi, Chef & Entrepreneur
Kheir’s 2019 Innovation Award Honoree, Roy Choi, started a food truck revolution with his own brand of taco. With Kogi BBQ, he fused Korean and Latin American flavors, and made it accessible to eaters all over Southern California. As he added more trucks and opened brick-and-mortar restaurants, he continued to innovate. His food is a reflection of LA’s multicultural landscape, celebrating the elements that make each cuisine unique, and showing how they complement each other. He has spoken out on critical issues in the world of food, including hunger, health disparities, food waste, and climate change. His work in food advocacy shows the same creativity and passion that he brings to the kitchen. Kheir Clinic is thankful for Roy’s innovative leadership that will change our City, and our world.
Happy Korean American Day!