Sep. 7, 2023 By Carlotta Mohamed
The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC) in Flushing announced on Sept. 5 the appointment of Dr. Hyoseong Nuna Kim as its next chief medical officer.
In this role, Kim will lead the continued expansion of clinical services for underserved communities.
“I am honored to step into my role as the next chief medical officer. Moving CBWCHC forward in its mission to deliver high-quality care to the diverse and underserved communities of New York is a goal I share with the Health Center,” Kim said.
Kaushal Challa, chief executive officer of CBWCHC, said Kim’s “extensive experience, unwavering commitment and deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by our patient community” makes her the ideal leader to guide them forward in their mission.
Kim succeeds Dr. Perry Pong, who is stepping down from the role after 15 years as the chief medical officer. Pong will remain at CBWCHC to help launch a new branch of the Health Center dedicated to teaching and training current and future clinicians for careers in community Health.
“Dr. Kim’s readiness and exceptional capabilities make her the perfect candidate to spearhead the organization’s continued commitment to delivering culturally responsive health care to New Yorkers in need,” Pong said.
Kim, who graduated from Brown University and Brown University Medical School, completed her pediatric residency in 2001 at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Following this, she served with the Indian Health Service in the Navajo Nation, honing her skills in delivering care to diverse and underserved populations. Kim returned to New York City in 2003 and has held numerous clinical leadership roles at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center since.
She led much of the Health Center’s expansion in Queens, one of the fastest growing areas for Asian-American New Yorkers. Her work earned her the Doctor’s Day Award for Outstanding Community Provider in 2011. In recent years, she has overseen CBWCHC’s role in fighting COVID-19, including launching vaccination sites during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Pong, who is an internal medicine doctor with over 29 years of experience, will continue to treat patients at CBWCHC, while helping to launch a new branch of the health center focused on clinical education.
During his tenure as CMO, Pong has helped steer the health center’s growth and established it as a national leader in clinical quality metrics. He credits participating in the health center’s Project AHEAD internship program in 1981 for introducing him to the health needs of New York’s Asian American community and nurturing his aspirations while in college. This translated to a lifelong love of caring for patients and teaching primary care medicine.
Pong returned to CBWCHC from Jacobi Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1997 and is now also an assistant clinical professor at the City University of New York School of Medicine, as well as Weill Cornell Medical College.
“I am so proud of our staff who have taken their lessons from their work here at CBWCHC to become nurses, doctors, social workers, dieticians, dentists, and other professionals,” Pong said. “That is truly giving back to the community.”
Kaushal praised Pong as a “wonderful leader.”
“His focus on putting patients first, and on nurturing and recognizing our amazing staff, has guided our success in serving the community. We are blessed that he will continue to advance our mission by helping to develop future generations of mission-driven clinicians,” Kaushal said.
Owh Kian Ong, chairperson of the CBWCHC Board of Directors, said they’re “heartfelt and grateful” for Pong’s steadfast leadership of over 15 years.
“He has made us more inspired to serve the health care needs of our community. We look forward to your new role to further grow our talent to meet our community’s health care needs,” Ong said.
Rose Duhan, president and chief executive officer of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), expressed her thoughts on both Kim’s and Pong’s Transitions.
“CHCANYS is thrilled to welcome Dr. Hyoseong Nuna Kim as Charles B. Wang Community Health Center’s new Chief Medical Officer. CHCs are essential to the health and well-being of the communities they serve and Dr. Kim is the perfect choice to build upon Dr. Pong’s incredible work in the community. I congratulate them both on their new roles,” Duhan said.