Improving health outcomes by connecting with patients on a cultural level

When Debby Lee cares for patients at the UC Davis Health Midtown Ambulatory Care Center, she carries cultural knowledge that connects her to a group of patients deeply affected by health disparities.

Lee, who is of Hmong descent, is passionate about serving communities underserved in health care.

"My parents came to the U.S. as Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War," Lee said. "I've always been passionate about improving representation in medicine."

Her commitment to better inform and transform the medical field through culturally sensitive care - treating people with respect for their culture, traditions, and beliefs, so they feel understood - has not gone unnoticed.

Lee recently received the 2025 Dr. Ifeanyi Onyeji Resident/Fellow Inclusive Excellence and Equity Award for her many efforts to advance health equity at UC Davis Health and its School of Medicine.

"Dr. Lee has shown exceptional and sustained dedication to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion through her clinical care, community engagement and educational leadership," noted the team that gave the award. "Her work embodies the spirit and mission of this prestigious award, recognizing individuals who go above and beyond to promote equity in medicine."

Lee received the award in May, while completing her residency training in internal medicine. She has since been working as a primary care physician at the UC Davis Health Midtown clinic. She said she's been given a meaningful opportunity with the hepatology clinic to treat patients with hepatitis B and other liver diseases.

"It is important for me to advance health equity because I've seen how cultural and language barriers affect my community, and I want to give back by helping bridge that gap to improve health outcomes," Lee said. "My goal is to end hepatitis B, starting with my Hmong community which is disproportionately affected."

Advancing health equity is a goal shared by health care providers across the country who seek to ensure that people of all backgrounds have access to the care they need, feel welcome in health care settings and are treated fairly.

Studies over the years have shown that patients who share a common culture or language with their doctor leads to improved management of chronic conditions and fewer hospitalizations, among other health benefits.

"Diversity, equity and inclusion in health care," Lee said, "help break down cultural and language barriers, build trust, and improve outcomes for communities like mine."

The award was presented by leaders from three organizations: Graduate Medical Education, the Office of Student and Resident Diversity, and the Resident Medical Staff Committee.

The selection committee stated several reasons why Lee was chosen for the award, including her:

• Mentorship in the UC Davis Health Equity Academy, a pathway program to encourage high school students from underserved communities pursue careers in health care.
• Devotion to DICE, the internal medicine diversity, inclusion and community engagement committee.
• Leadership in organizing outreach and social events for residency applicants as well as mentorship of medical students.
• Commitment to screening high-risk immigrant groups for hepatitis B, including oversight of translation projects to share educational materials in Hmong and Mien.
• Volunteerism with HALO community clinic, which serves vulnerable patients in Sacramento County.

The selection committee also named two runners up for the award: Alexis Woods of general surgery and Elif Duran of psychiatry.

The award is named for Ifeanyi Onyeji, a UC Davis Health urology resident who died in 2022. He stood out for his ceaseless dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate medical education - values that UC Davis Health embraces.

"I feel very honored to have been nominated for this award," Lee said. "Dr. Onyeji was a phenomenal individual and I am humbled to be part of his legacy."