Irvine, Calif. – Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH, founding executive director of UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, has been named “Woman of the Year” for Irvine by California Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.
In a celebratory event on March 9, in Irvine, Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris honored Malik for her commitment to community service, innovative integrative healthcare, research and education of future healthcare professionals.
“It is a profound honor to be recognized by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for the work that my team and I have been deeply committed to: providing a whole-person approach to patient care,” Malik said. “Receiving this award is a testament to the importance of whole health and the contributions of women in this field. I want to use this recognition as an opportunity to continue advocating for integrative whole-person health as a pathway to healthcare quality, equity and access for all.”
I want to use this recognition as an opportunity to continue advocating for integrative whole-person health as a pathway to healthcare quality, equity and access for all.
Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH, founding executive director of UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
As part of the only academic medical center in Orange County, UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute brings whole-person health to help surrounding communities achieve optimal health. In partnership with the university’s health enterprise – UCI Health and the School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing and the Program in Public Health – the Samueli Institute is one of the only academic institutions that is working to pioneer an interdisciplinary, evidence-informed, integrative approach to health and wellness. Currently, the Samueli Institute provides comprehensive integrative services at eight locations across Orange County.
Also honored were Jennifer Friend, chief executive of Project Hope Alliance, UCI alumna and Samueli Institute advisory board member, for Costa Mesa, and Dr. Samar Aziz, chief executive of Sabil USA, for Tustin.
“One of the things that I always come away with after these events is just a sense of inspiration and, really, of hope,” said Petrie-Norris. “All of these women, and so many of the women that we’ve been able to honor over the years, they’re tackling some of the toughest challenges facing our cities today and facing the planet today.”
