Dear Colleagues, Alumni, and Friends,

 

I am very pleased to announce that Professor Benjamin K.P. Woo (胡啟贇醫生) is the 2023-24 recipient of the Don T. Nakanishi Award for Outstanding Engaged Scholarship in Asian American Studies at UCLA. Dr. Woo joined the UCLA faculty in 2009 and is currently Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences with a joint appointment in Asian American Studies. He is also the Psychiatry Clerkship Director at the Olive View - UCLA Medical Center and directs the Chinese American Health Promotion Laboratory at UCLA. Professor Woo received his B.S.E. from Duke University, and his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego

 

Professor Woo is being acknowledged for his extraordinary impact on Asian American communities, particularly his contributions in the field of Asian American Gerontology and Mental Health. He has played a major role as a clinician, administrator and teacher in improving culturally sensitive care through mentorship of countless undergraduate students, medical students, and resident physicians, as well as through research and publications, and community outreach.

 

Since 2011, he has been the faculty advisor for the Asian Pacific Health Corps at UCLA, an undergraduate student organization that promotes health awareness and hosts four health fairs annually in low-income Asian communities. He has both taught ways to improve culturally sensitive care, and modeled the necessary clinical skills for students to implement such care over time. He is the recipient of multiple awards for teaching from the School of Medicine at UCLA.

 

Woo's career has focused largely on developing accessible mental health education programs for Chinese immigrants. He has published many articles addressing mental health care disparities amongst Chinese Americans in the fields of emergency psychiatry and geriatric mental health. He also provides direct written educational outreach by writing articles in Chinese language newspapers, and has over 20 articles to date on topics ranging from adolescent mental health to geriatric depression in the Chinese community. He has improved our understanding of how stigma impacts Asian Americans with mental illnesses and increased mental health utilization among Chinese Americans through the use of media outlets. Since 2009, he has spoken on 140+ radio shows on mental health topics on the only Cantonese radio station in Los Angeles, KMRB AM1430. He has produced patient education materials, as well as short films and documentaries. A colleague noted, "His work is highly innovative, as exemplified by investigating the use of YouTube as a platform for disseminating educational materials to promote knowledge and reduction of stigma about mental illness in Asian communities."

 

"As the Chinese proverb goes 'One generation plants the trees, the next generation enjoys the shade'. I am truly grateful to all the pioneers in the field of Asian American Studies," said Dr. Woo. We are honored to present this well-deserved recognition to Professor Woo for his outstanding contributions as an engaged scholar, researcher, mentor, and advocate.

 

Through the generosity of UCLA faculty, students, staff, and alumni as well as community leaders, an endowment was established that honors the late Professor Emeritus Don T. Nakanishi, who served on the UCLA faculty for thirty-five years and who ably directed the Asian American Studies Center (1990-2010). Among his invaluable contributions to Asian American Studies, Professor Nakanishi co-founded two, national publications: Amerasia Journal (1971) and AAPI Nexus Journal (2003). Professor Nakanishi published widely in the areas of Asian American politics and education, mentored thousands of students, and provided professional and community-based service locally, nationally, and internationally. The Nakanishi Award includes a five-thousand-dollar award. The award rotates annually between faculty and students. The graduate and undergraduate student awards will be given during the 2024-2025 academic year.

 

Please join me in congratulating Professor Benjamin K.P. Woo!

 

Best wishes,

Karen Umemoto
Helen and Morgan Chu Endowed Director's Chair of the Asian American Studies Center