President Boon Ja Yoo Lee (center) awarded with Ellis Island Medal of Honor stands with decorated officers, friends and family who attended the event, including Dr. Hye-Won Shin (center lower left) and Eugene (second from left) and Carol (third from right) Choi.
UCI MIND proudly celebrates Boon Ja Yoo Lee, who is a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, for her outstanding contributions to Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving research, medical education, and public advocacy. As the first Korean American member of the UCI MIND Leadership Council, Boon Ja has played a transformative role in elevating the voices of older Korean American adults and their families in research and policy discussions around aging, Alzheimer’s, and dementia caregiving.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, awarded by the Ellis Island Honors Society, recognizes Americans who exemplify the values of community service and cultural heritage. This honor not only celebrates personal achievement—it also affirms the vital role of immigrant communities in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate nation. Boon Ja Yoo Lee’s decades of service reflect these ideals through her commitment to those most affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Boon Ja Yoo Lee is the Founding President and Chairperson of Somang Society, a nonprofit organization promoting older Asian American/Korean American adults’ health and well-being. She has been a tireless advocate for incorporating the lived experiences of Asian American caregivers and families into scientific research. In close collaboration with UCI MIND, she has helped bridge the gap between academic research and real-world caregiving needs—particularly within the Korean American community, which has long faced cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers to participation in research. By building trust and awareness, Boon Ja has enabled more families to engage in research efforts that aim to understand not only the biological basis of Alzheimer’s disease but also the complex challenges faced by caregivers. Her leadership has ensured that diverse cultural perspectives are reflected in Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving studies, resources, and interventions.
In addition to her advocacy in research, Boon Ja Yoo Lee has made a profound impact on medical education through her collaboration with UCI’s Willed Body Program. Through her leadership, more than 3,000 Korean American seniors have registered or donated as whole-body donors—a landmark effort that enhances cultural representation and provides invaluable learning opportunities for future physicians and researchers. This initiative has also helped dispel long-standing cultural stigma surrounding body donation, making space for meaningful conversations about legacy, education, and community contribution. It is a powerful example of how culturally sensitive outreach can drive lasting change in both medical practice and public understanding.
President Yoo Lee brings a community-centered perspective that is vital to the future of Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Her work ensures that caregiving experiences—often shaped by language, culture, and immigration history—are not overlooked in research design or policy advocacy. Her efforts have helped create more inclusive pathways for participation, representation, and leadership within UCI MIND. She and the Somang Society were honored for this work with the UCI MIND Award at the 2024 December to Remember Gala.
Boon Ja Yoo Lee’s receipt of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor is not only a recognition of her individual achievements—it is a tribute to the many dementia family caregivers she has empowered, connected, and supported. She joins former UCI MIND Director and current Dean of the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, who received the Ellis Island Award in 2022.
