Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2001 Honoree of the Queens Federation
of Churches
Dr. Giho Kim
Dr. Giho Kim is Executive Director of the Korean-American
Senior Citizens Counseling Center, Inc., in Flushing. His commitment to
enhancing the quality of life for recent immigrants, particularly Korean
elderly immigrants, began early in 1970 when he witnessed the suffering
of recent immigrants because of language and cultural barriers which tend
to marginalize and alienate them from the mainstream by denying them access
to health care, jobs requiring cutting-edge technology or political processes.
His endeavor has left a positive impact on the Korean-American community.
Dr. Kim became an advocate as well as a provider
of human services. His advocacy activities were at their height when the
Congress was preparing to enact the Immigration and Welfare reform bills.
He mobilized others and personally lobbied in Washington and in Albany
to advocate for the rights of recent immigrants. He became a strong supporter
and participant of a voter registration drive for Korean Americans while
advising them of their constitutional rights to voice their concerns.
He designed and implemented human service programs such as Information/Referral/Assistance,
ESL/Civic Education, Health Service and Escort Service. These programs
are implemented in a culturally sensitive manner so as to address and
deliver benefits and services to recent immigrant seniors to assist them
in maintaining their good health. Dr. Kim was concerned about the inability
of recent immigrants in securing good jobs due to language and cultural
barriers, and he reasoned that such a handicap can be overcome if they
have tools such as computer skills. He requested and received funding
from Bell Atlantic and initiated a computer education program with tremendous
success.
Dr. Kim came to the U.S. from Korea as a student
and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Simpson College.
He continued his studies, receiving his Master of Art and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees in Biochemistry from Iowa State University in 1971. He came to
New York as a Clinical Instructor at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn
where he remained until 1978. While at Downstate Medical Center, he was
co-author of several medical papers.
He is founder and co-chair of Korean American
Community Empowerment Council, a member of the Board of Northern Queens
Health Coalition, Queens Borough President's Citizens Committee, Board
of Coalition of Korean Americans for Social Services, consumer advisory
Panel of Bell Atlantic of New York, Korean American Advisory Council of
Nassau County, Advisory Committee for Korean outreach of American Cancer
Society in Queens, and Korean American Task Force on Census 2000. Dr.
Kim founded and served as Director of Community Center under Korean Brooklyn
Church in Brooklyn. He was elected and served as a member of the Board
of Mutual Apartment Inc. (Mitchell Lama). He was co-founder of Northern
Queens Health Coalition which he served as Executive Vice President.
Dr. Kim has had experience in academia, industry,
and community service. During his academic tenure, he published a number
of scientific papers in professional journals. He has been recognized
for his community service by the Governor and Borough President.
He is married to his college sweetheart and they
have a son who is a Ph.D. candidate at NYU Medical School and a daughter
who is a 2nd year resident at North Shore/LIJ Hospital.
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