The UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine (CEWM) raised over $3 million for integrative care during its yearlong 30th anniversary campaign, which culminated in December in a special event at Chelsea Restaurant in Santa Monica. The event, marking three decades since the inception of CEWM, was hosted by UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center Board Member Roland Tellis and co-chaired by UCLA Health System Board Co-Chair Beth Friedman.
“This place holds a very special place in my heart. Yes, as a donor and supporter, but more importantly as a patient whose life has been profoundly touched by the care I receive here,” Friedman said of the Center for East-West Medicine. “Many of you know that I’ve been a longtime believer in the power of integrative medicine. But it wasn’t until I came to the center that I truly understood its transformative potential.”
The event opened with a performance by UCLA’s Jade Lotus Dance team — a student-led troupe that celebrates Chinese and Vietnamese culture through movement — followed by remarks from CEWM leaders and a reception with food, drinks, sugar painting, calligraphy, herbal tea and more.
Other distinguished participants included Dr. Ka-Kit Hui (MD ’75, RES ’78), founder and director of CEWM and Wallis Annenberg Endowed Chair in Integrative East-West Medicine; Dr. Edward Hui (MD ’01, RES ’04, FEL ’06), clinical chief of CEWM; Gerard Bush, integrative medicine ambassador for UCLA Health; and Johnese Spisso, MPA, president of UCLA Health, CEO of the UCLA Hospital System and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences. East-West medicine faculty — including Dr. Sara Ptasnik (FEL ’23), Dr. Ricky Chang (FEL ’21) and Dr. Andrew Shubov (FEL ’15) — and board members from UCLA Health and the UC Board of Regents were also in attendance.
“As we celebrate 30 years of integrative East-West medicine at UCLA under the vision and leadership of Dr. Ka-Kit Hui, we are excited to continue his legacy of transforming lives through the continued expansion of clinical services, the growth of our research portfolio [and] the diversification of our educational offerings,” said Dr. Katie Hu (RES ’15, FEL ’17), associate director of CEWM.
Dr. Hu added that proceeds from the fundraising campaign will allow the center to bring integrative care to new populations, including adolescents and under-resourced communities. CEWM recently launched the East-West Pediatric Program, which will collaborate with national and global pain and mental health experts to create specialized education materials for children and their families and/or caregivers. The program will also expand access to integrative health services for children and community health partners.
CEWM comprises four stand-alone clinics across Los Angeles County and an inpatient consult service at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. It is home to 20 physicians and 10 acupuncturists. Trained in both conventional biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine, CEWM physicians collaborate with primary care providers and UCLA Health colleagues of various disciplines to improve patients’ health and optimize wellness.
In anticipation of the center’s 30-year milestone, UCLA Health recently created the Ka-Kit Hui Legacy Fund for Excellence in East-West Medicine. The center plans to use the funds to train a wider range of health care professionals and enhance collaboration across the university’s academic medical network. Donations to the fund will also support the development of targeted health and education programs serving local communities.
For more information, contact Noah Green at: 424-325-8184
Christi Carras is a senior writer for UCLA Health Sciences Development.
