At Temple Health, we’re proud of our team members’ advocacy on behalf of Asian American and Pacific Islander patients, healthcare workers, and communities within the region and beyond. That’s why we’re so excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Health Equity Leadership & Social Justice Asian American & Pacific Islander Month Awards!
These awards are given out by the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. They honor our Temple Health colleagues who have done exceptional work on behalf of Asian American & Pacific Islander communities while also helping to elevate the culture of our institution.
Each of these recipients has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership, inspiring their peers and coworkers and changing Temple Health for the better. You can read more about them below—and if you’re one of their colleagues, be sure to offer your congratulations!
Administration/Staff
Phuong Do, BS
Senior Research Coordinator, Center for Asian Health, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“Over the past seven years, I have witnessed Phuong’s unwavering dedication to improving access to healthcare and health outcomes among Vietnamese Americans, particularly those who are most underprivileged and medically underserved. Her commitment to culturally tailored community health promotion and patient navigation has been instrumental in bridging gaps in healthcare access and fostering positive health outcomes within the Vietnamese American community.”
Medical Student
Kristine Chin, MD ‘26
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“Kristine has shown dedication to serving the Philadelphia community, especially the Asian & Asian American community through leadership, service, and research. Kristine was awarded the U54 TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership pre-pilot grant that is awarded to a researcher committed to reducing cancer health disparities among underserved minority populations in the PA-NJ-NY region for her research on lung cancer screening among Asian Americans to reduce barriers to screening.”
Nursing
Crystal Burton
Temple University Hospital
“Ms. Burton sets a great example as a Temple employee. She is always eager to help and her passion for work and compassion for patients is exemplified in her day-to-day patient interactions. She is detail-oriented and always thoughtful and provides care to patients. She constantly finds ways to provide better care to patients. For these reasons, I think Miss Burton is very well deserving of this award.”
Faculty/Physicians
Pritha Dewanjee, DO, FAAP
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics, The Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“Dr. Dewanjee has a passion for making safe spaces for all patients and has designed and led a quality improvement project to improve sexual orientation gender identity (SOGI) screening in adolescent patients. Dr. Dewanjee developed lectures and materials to guide learners and faculty through the complex confidentiality and cultural dynamics around SOGI screening, especially within historically minoritized communities, including individuals from the AAPI community.”
Stacey Su, MD, FACS
Chief, Thoracic Surgery and Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
“Dr. Su embodies the idea of what a healthcare worker is supposed to be and what Fox Chase represents. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of an award that is supposed to exemplify excellence and demonstrate the core values of TUHS. As an Asian American, she has personally inspired me to become a better surgeon and is a role model not only to our community but to all who work with her.”
PhD Student
Disha Sawhney, FACHDM, FRSPH
Manager, Service Line Operations, Fox Chase Cancer Center
“In both her personal and professional life, she seeks out opportunities to help work towards societal improvements in health equity and social justice. Her pursuit to broaden her knowledge shows through multiple projects across the facility as well as conference submissions and participation as well as work towards publications related to her progress at leading change and growth within the healthcare space.”
Physician Assistant Student
Amy Lee, PA-S
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“Amy has been kind and selfless since the day she came to LKSOM. As class president, she always makes sure everyone feels so welcome and included. Through didactic, she helped with every fundraising event, celebrated every birthday, and went to every outreach event to help those in need in Kensington and LOVE Park. She is more than deserving of this award.”
Resident
Garrett Ni, MD, MS
PGY5/Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
“Dr. Ni is passionate about helping the underprivileged population he serves; he exhibits a unique blend of talent and honesty in his field of work. His numerous committee positions in otolaryngology and at Temple University Hospital attest to his active involvement in leadership roles. As a role model, Dr. Ni is dedicated to improving his personal and communal growth. His vast volunteer experience and fine art training showcase the spirit of science, art, and humanity he contributes to the field. This all adds to the nominee’s uniqueness and justifies him for this honor.”