One of the nation’s most prominent Korean-Americans, Dr. Howard K. Koh, was in Denver this month to speak at a meeting of the American Public Health Association, and two local groups gave him a warm welcome.
Koh, assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, was guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Asian Pacific Development Center and the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association. The event at LoDo’s Translations Gallery was attended by leaders in Colorado’s health care industry and members of the host organizations.
Guests enjoyed dumplings, sesame chicken skewers and spicy edamame from Karma Asian Cuisine while Koh described his experiences as a first-generation Korean immigrant and the success his family has had in America.
Prior to becoming a top adviser to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Koh was public health commissioner for Massachusetts and a professor and dean at Harvard.
Attorney Byeongsook Seo, an APDC board member and partner at Isaacson Rosenbaum, introduced Koh to the 100 guests, a group that included Dan Aiba, the APDC’s chief operating officer, and Rudy Lie, chair of the APDC board; Dr. D.J. Ida, executive director of the NAAPIMHA; HHS regional director Marguerite Salazar; Paul Stein, director of Colorado’s Refugee Services Program; Fahina Tavake-Pasi, executive director of the National Tongan American Association; Jo Anne Doherty, chief operating officer for Jefferson Center for Mental Health; George DelGrosso, executive director of the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council; and Mauricio Palacio, program director for Colorado’s Office of Health Disparities.
Coming right up
The executive director of Christians United for Israel, David Brog, will deliver the keynote address at the Allied Jewish Federation Men’s Event tonight at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. . . . The Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award Committee’s year-end luncheon is set for Dec. 1 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. Guests are welcome; the $40 tickets can be purchased from Joyce Holmstrom at the Denver Foundation, 303-300-1790, ext. 136. . . . Arlene Hirschfeld and Sarah Hunt are chairing the 30th anniversary Collector’s Choice, a Dec. 2 gala that honors Fred Hamilton for three decades of service to the Denver Art Museum. Call 720-913-2763. . . . Denver Section of the National Council of Negro Women is having its 19th Harambee Brunch at the Doubletree Hotel, 3203 Quebec St., on Dec. 4. President Gloria Parsons-Gray encourages attendees to bring a child’s book for the chapter’s literacy initiative. Register by visiting .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
