The Washington Metro Chapter celebrated the year’s end with a joint party, hosted in collaboration with KAPAL, KASPB Washington DC Metro Chapter, and NIH-KWISE, on December 19, 2024. The event took place at the Rollins Recreational Club in Rockville, Maryland, marking the second consecutive year of this combined celebration following the success of the inaugural gathering in 2023.
The festive occasion drew over 100 enthusiastic attendees from the participating organizations, with all the seats quickly reserved, underscoring the event’s popularity. The evening began with inspiring congratulatory remarks by two esteemed senior members, Dr. Hae Young Ahn and Dr. Heemin Lee. Their words of encouragement set a positive tone for the night. A highlight of the evening was a special talk by Dr. Kyung J. Kwon-Chung, a distinguished researcher from NIH. Sharing her extraordinary life and career journey, Dr. Kwon-Chung recounted pivotal moments, from her college years during the Korean War to her experiences as a minority researcher in the U.S. and her bold decision to embark on a new career challenge in middle age. Her narrative, spanning almost 60 years of remarkable achievements at NIH, captivated and inspired the audience.
Attendees enjoyed a delightful dinner and drinks while connecting with new acquaintances and reconnecting with familiar faces. With the event’s new introduction segment, over a dozen pre-registered participants delivered one-minute self-introductions in public using prepared slides, while others spontaneously joined in, creating a lively atmosphere.
The event concluded on an exciting note with a raffle draw featuring gift cards. Presidents from the four organizations took turns selecting the winning tickets, bringing smiles to the lucky winners and wrapping up the night with joy and camaraderie.
This successful celebration not only marked the end of a fruitful year but also reinforced the strong sense of community and collaboration among the participating organizations.
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