CM Lee: appreciation for Chokshi's community health approach

I'd like now to pass it on to Councilmember Lee.

Oh my gosh, I almost spilled my coffee, sorry.

Hi, Dr.

Chokshi, how are you?

Hi, I'm doing well, thank you.

I just want to start off by saying, it's more comments than questions, but I just want to say I have a huge amount of respect, and I just wanted to thank you so much, because during COVID and even before that, I was the executive director at Korean Community Services.

I remember.

Yes, and I just love your all-community approach to health, because that is what it takes, right?

And even when we were at KCS, I remember being outside the steps of City Hall saying, no, hepatitis B and C and diabetes are huge issues in our community, but there was no data at the time or not enough data in our communities.

And so that's why we partnered a lot and did the community-based participatory research and worked with H-Mark Grocery Store to get the healthy aisle, you know, food items at eye level, right?

And the restaurants in K-Town to do low-sodium options and the faith-based leaders to really do screenings at the churches.

And it takes a village, right?

And so I just want to say I really, really appreciate your approach to health because it is public health.

It is an all-inclusive sort of effort.

And I just wanted to say thank you in all of your many roles and hats that you've worn because I did have previous health commissioners, not you, who sort of didn't understand or appreciate the diverse health needs of our city.

And I think you brought that to the table.

And I just wanted to say thank you for that.