A generous gift from the Chois, who are ambassadors for Stem Cell Research, will establish an endowment and fund new programs in perpetuity that are designed to strengthen patient-centered care and support continued education and excellence throughout Keck Medicine of USC.
The gift from the Choi family will establish the USC Choi Family Patient-Centered Care Program. The program will foster a culture of service focusing on compassionate, empathetic care and patient advocacy across Keck Medicine by providing training and educational opportunities.
The gift was made after a Choi family member received exceptional care at Keck Hospital of USC.
“Our family experienced firsthand how doctors at Keck Hospital are strong patient advocates,” said Henry Choi, a USC alumnus. “We want to reinforce their commitment and give our appreciation to this important value that ought to be the top priority in today’s medical world.”
The gift also will establish the USC Choi Family Patient-Centered Care Symposium, which will be organized annually and open to all health care professionals in the community, providing them with education and training focused on compassion, empathy, advocacy and patient-centered care.
“The Choi Family Patient Centered-Care program will continue to grow and sustain our Keck Culture,” said Char Ryan, MHA, Patient Experience and Employee Engagement Officer for Keck Medicine. “Through education and recognition we will continue our focus on the voice of the patient and their family.”
Additionally, the gift will establish the USC Choi Family Awards for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care, a public recognition of clinical staff, residents, physicians non-clinical staff and team who consistently demonstrate the ideals of patient-centered care, compassion and excellence. The first awards will be given at a gala event May 25.
“Patients are the heart of everything we do here at Keck Medicine of USC,” said Rod Hanners, CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC. “This special gift is a key investment in the future of patient-centered care at Keck Medicine and will help ensure the culture of service and patient advocacy that is such an essential part of our mission will be supported for generations to come.”
The Choi family is a longtime supporter of USC and Keck Medicine. The family has made previous gifts to support stem cell research at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, an artist-in-residence endowment at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and a violin scholarship honoring the late Eudice Shapiro at the USC Thornton School of Music.