Like many immigrants, W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School, came to the United States in search of a better future. He traveled from Taiwan at age 15 to join his siblings in America seeking a better education. The journey ahead was not easy – but with determination and hard work, he succeeded.

“I was a complete outsider – culturally, linguistically, and socially – yet I was determined to fit in,” said Dr. Lee, keynote speaker at this year’s annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. “I became an attentive listener and accustomed to seeing from other people’s perspectives.”

Born on an Air Force base in Southern Taiwan, Dr. Lee had studied English but did not fully understand the language. He recalled being unable to understand his high school teacher’s words and having to translate written pages with a dictionary. To develop better language proficiency, he watched the evening news, studying the news anchor’s cadence and speaking style. This allowed him to strengthen his communication skills and foster understanding of another person’s point of view.

“I am deeply proud of my heritage. Everyone has a unique life story and mine has been shaped by my background and experiences,” he said.

The campus audience listens as Dr. Lee shares how he adapted to American culture by becoming an attentive listener and effective communicator.

While sharing his personal experience, Dr. Lee also acknowledged the Asian American and Pacific Islander community on campus and the joint efforts of all community members at UTSW.

“The Asian American and Pacific Islander community represents a critical part of UT Southwestern. For example, 30% of our faculty are of Asian descent. Regardless of background and heritage, I want to thank each of you at our institution for your unique and collective contributions,” he said.

Dr. Lee, an international leader in hand transplantation, said his accomplishments have been due to perseverance and hard work. As he navigated his professional career, he was grateful to encounter talented surgical leaders who served as role models, including James W. May Jr., M.D., James Strickland, M.D., and Thomas Starzl, M.D., Ph.D. From them, he learned how to ask probing questions, communicate empathetically with patients, and stay resolute and optimistic in pursuing goals.

With Dr. Starzl’s encouragement, Dr. Lee went on to establish hand transplantation programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He led surgical teams that performed the first double hand transplant in the U.S. in 2009, the first above-elbow arm transplant in the U.S. in 2010, and the first total penis and scrotum transplant in the world in 2018.

During his talk, he said hand amputations are often devastating injuries as hands not only impact the ability to perform manual tasks but are also used for emotional expression and in social interactions. Dr. Lee emphasized the importance of teamwork leading to achievement as hand transplantation operations require multispecialty collaboration from surgeons, nurses, therapists, and medical professionals who offer expertise throughout the procedural and recovery process.

Sifu Mui, with Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi of Dallas, demonstrates the art of tai chi during the program.

“It is a privilege to be involved in life-changing endeavors, and I could not have succeeded without the indispensable skills and contributions of all our team members,” he said. “It is the same spirit of teamwork and collaboration that has led to the tremendous success and growth of UT Southwestern, with over 26,000 employees contributing every day to our mission.”

Hosted by the Office for Institutional Opportunity, the event included a lunch reception featuring Asian dishes and concluded with a special tai chi demonstration by Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi of Dallas.

Sifu Mui, the martial art school’s head instructor, spoke about the health benefits of tai chi, such as helping manage and alleviate symptoms of chronic diseases by improving physical function, reducing stress, and enhancing well-being. Mr. Mui’s program is dedicated to promoting health, and he is passionate about sharing the transformative power of tai chi with others.

“I’m happy to share this art with the community and hope to continue spreading awareness of what traditional martial arts can bring and its beautiful culture,” Mr. Mui said.