Dr. Allen Muramoto, a key figure in the founding of International Community Health Services (ICHS), will be honored along with Country Doctor Community Health Centers, a longtime collaborator and supporter of ICHS
Each year, ICHS honors one individual and one organization whose service has improved the lives of ICHS target populations of disadvantaged and underserved residents at the Bloom Gala.
“We take special pride in presenting the Bamboo Award for Health to Dr. Muramoto and Country Doctor this year,” said ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola,
who was recently recognized at the University of Washington Women’s Center’s Women of Courage.
“Health care reform faces a huge turmoil. It is crucial that we continue to remember our driving mission to care for those who most need care. Allen Muramoto and Country Doc embody that driving mission. We honor them to ensure that we never forget who we serve.”
As a student at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Muramoto joined with other student activists in the spring of 1971 to form “Young Asians for Action” to provide free health services for Asian elderly who lacked access to affordable care. As a result of these efforts, ICHS opened its first clinic in 1973. In his retirement, Muramoto has returned to volunteer monthly at the ICHS International District clinic, providing pulmonary disease care to patients.
Country Doctor has been a close collaborator and avid supporter of ICHS for many years, providing vital clinical and administrative consultation, especially during ICHS’s formative years.
The award will be presented at the annual Bloom Gala on May 6 at the downtown Sheraton Seattle Hotel.
Tickets for the 2017 Bloom Gala are available at www.ichs.com/bloom. More information about ICHS can be found at www.ichs.com.
