Couple’s support for WashU Medicine answers the question, “How can we give back?”

Won Ro Lee, MD, PhD, and Kyung Ja Shin Lee, MD, consider themselves fortunate people, despite having grown up in challenging circumstances. Kyung Ja escaped North Korea as a young child; both she and Won Ro grew up in poverty and lived through the Korean War. Their futures could have been significantly different had they not possessed a shared determination to pursue their dreams of becoming physicians. Upon earning their medical degrees in South Korea, they continued their postgraduate training in the United States. Won Ro completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Washington, while Kyung Ja finished an obstetrics and gynecology residency at the now-closed Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in New Jersey. After several years in academia and private practice in the U.S., they returned to South Korea in 1994 to continue their careers — Won Ro as one of South Korea’s preeminent cardiologists and Kyung Ja as a well-respected OB-GYN. 

“Medicine has given us deeply fulfilling careers caring for patients, conducting research, and teaching future doctors,” Won Ro says. “Growing up during the Korean War, we faced many challenges to become medical specialists. We’re grateful to both Korean and American communities for their support along the way.”

Through the years, the Lees’ gratitude grew into a desire to give back by helping others following the same path. Their connection to the medical community in South Korea gave them insight into the needs of individuals pursuing careers in medicine in their homeland. Even though their three daughters continue to live in the U.S., the Lees’ long absence made their options for philanthropy here less clear to them. That is, until they talked with their middle daughter, Janet Lee, MD, who is the chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

“WashU Medicine has long been recognized as a leader in biomedical science, producing many world-renowned researchers and physicians. We deeply admire its mission to improve human health and longevity through scientific advancement.”

Kyung Ja Shin Lee, MD

Following their example

“My parents were wonderful role models and provided me with a window into understanding the impact physicians have on people’s lives,” says Janet, who is also a professor of pathology and immunology at WashU Medicine. “Science afforded me a way to create, write, and think while at the same time helping people. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do this work because of the example set by my parents.”

“WashU Medicine has long been recognized as a leader in biomedical science, producing many world-renowned researchers and physicians,” Kyung Ja says. “We deeply admire its mission to improve human health and longevity through scientific advancement. We feel honored to contribute to that vision.”

Fueling physician-scientists across the career spectrum

The remaining $2.5 million of the Lees’ pledge will create the Won Ro and Kyung Ja Shin Lee Research Scholars Fund. The endowment will provide research grants for postgraduate fellows, junior faculty, or mid-career faculty. The recipients, known as Won Ro and Kyung Ja Shin Lee Scholars, will hold one- to two-year appointments. As emerging leaders in their field, they will have the necessary funding to conduct bold clinical or basic science research with the potential to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute and chronic lung diseases. To jumpstart the scholar program, $500,000 will be placed in a spendable fund whose resources will be immediately available to the division.

To Janet, her parents’ gift exemplifies how they approach life. “They’re always thinking about how they can contribute, make a difference, and express thanks for the wonderful life we’ve had, both in the U.S. and South Korea,” she says. “It’s a remarkable and generous way to live.”