Siu G. Wong, O.D., M.P.H. A Pioneering Career in Public Health Optometry

Abstract

This memoir, written by Dr. Siu G. Wong, chronicles her early influences and education, and profiles her first career as a public health optometrist and her second career as a community activist and public historian. Dr. Wong graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with her doctorate in optometry in 1970 and received her master's in public health in 1973. Her first position as an educator at the University of Houston (UH) included pioneering an interdisciplinary community health program in a low-income neighborhood as well as coordinating the first externship program for UH optometry students with the United States Public Health Service-Indian Health Service (USPHS-IHS). Dr. Wong joined the USPHS in 1978 where she was the first female commissioned officer assigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS), the first chief optometrist of an administrative region, and eventually the first woman to hold the position of chief optometric consultant to the IHS. During her tenure, she spearheaded quality assurance programs and was active in both the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA), serving in leadership roles in the AOA's Council on Clinical Optometric Care, Hospital Privileges Committee, the QA Committee, and the Multidisciplinary Practice Section. She also became a member of the APHA's Vision Care Section and the Armed Forces Optometric Society. After retirement, Dr. Wong continued her role in public service, serving as the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program and as a clnical consultant. She became active also in public history, joining the Chinese American Citizens Alliance where she works to raise awareness of the contributions of Chinese Americans to American history. This article was annotated by Kirsten Hebert.