Who's in CHARGE? spotlights a member of the AAMC Collaborative for Health equity: Act, Research, Generate Evidence (CHARGE), a forum for investigators, clinicians, and community partners who design and implement research and policy that eliminates health and health care inequities. Today we’re featuring Joseph Kim, MD, a consultation liaison psychiatrist and internal medicine hospitalist at Montefiore Medical Center in Sacramento, California. As an AAMC CHARGE Ambassador, Joseph will host the June AAMC CHARGE coffee break, Community Healing Through Art and Poetry.
What sparked your interest in health equity or health disparities work?
Access and decreasing barriers to minimize the gap in health disparities is an important reason why I wanted to become a physician. And as a physician, I’ve pushed myself to become a more active participant, to use my voice to elevate the voices and needs of my patients.
Why does health equity matter in general? Why should health equity matter to other people?
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to live the healthiest life possible no matter who they are, where they live, and what they do. There is no time like the present and there is no minute to waste!
What health equity project are you most proud of or excited about?
I started a resident physician-led outpatient complex care coordination program for patients who struggle with co-morbid medical and psychiatric illness and visited the Emergency Department multiple times during the year. I reached out to and enrolled patients into the program, which provides coordination of care across primary care, subspecialists, mental health providers, and community resources like housing, food, transportation, and economic security.
What’s the first concert you ever went to?
I went solo to my first concert. It was Jack Johnson at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley!
You can meet other health equity champions like Joseph in the AAMC CHARGE virtual community. Interested in nominating yourself or a colleague for a Who’s In CHARGE? member spotlight?