KAPhA NY & NJ
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Legacy Timeline

KAPhA NY & NJ History

Six decades of Korean-American pharmacy in the tristate area — from the first wave of immigration in 1965 to a 1.5 and 2nd generation-driven association today.

  1. 011965 –

    Beginning of Pharmacist Immigration

    The 1965 Immigration Act opened doors for healthcare professionals — physicians, pharmacists, and nurses — to enter the U.S. Approximately 3,000 Korean pharmacists immigrated, and today over 500 are members of KAPhA NY & NJ. New York was one of the few states that allowed foreign-trained pharmacists to take the licensure exam after completing internship hours. In 1972, the Bronx Korean Church began hosting review classes led by early licensed Korean-American pharmacists — a spirit of mentorship that laid the foundation for the association's growth.

  2. 021973 –

    Founding & Growth of the Association

    On June 10, 1973, more than 50 Korean pharmacists gathered at Bronx Park to establish the Korean-American Pharmaceutical Association, electing Min-Keun Oh as the first president. Membership grew to 500 within three years. In 1993, the association became a registered non-profit and officially adopted the name Korean-American Pharmaceutical Association of New York (KAPA). It was recognized as an overseas chapter by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association in 1975 and as a branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) in 1976. Annual Pharmacists' Night events, seminars, and golf tournaments strengthened fellowship, while community service and Korea-support initiatives became traditions.

  3. 031976 –

    Growth of Korean-Owned Pharmacies

    In 1976, Oh Yoon Kwon acquired Dorchester Pharmacy in Brooklyn — the first Korean-owned pharmacy in New York. Others soon followed: Lewis Pharmacy (Tae-Young Seo), CiCi Pharmacy (Dorothy Jung), Hopkins Pharmacy (Kwang-Hee Ko & Nak-Hwan Baek), and Smile Pharmacy (Ki-Ro Sung) — bringing vital healthcare access to Korean immigrants. Pharmacists Moon-Kyung Kim and Seung-Ki Yoo opened pharmacies in Manhattan, serving predominantly American clientele. By 1991 there were about 60 Korean-owned pharmacies in NY/NJ. Although chain competition reduced numbers, the trend reversed with 1.5 and 2nd generation ownership — about 50 are operating today.

  4. 04Expansion

    Into Diverse Fields

    Korean pharmacists also entered pharmaceutical companies, academia, and hospital pharmacy practice. Pioneers include Jung-Taek Shin (Bristol-Myers researcher), Dong-Chul Seo (Professor, Rutgers University), Kwon-Ho Kim (St. John's University), and hospital pharmacy directors Jong-Hwan Lee (Harlem Hospital) and Sang-Kil Jang (Deepdale Hospital). Young-So Hwang became a New York City health inspector. Today, 1.5 and 2nd generation pharmacists serve as chain pharmacy leaders, hospital directors, PBM/insurance executives, biopharma researchers, digital health entrepreneurs, pharmacy school faculty, and public health policymakers.

  5. 05Today

    Past Presidents & New Era

    Beginning with Min-Keun Oh (three terms), past presidents include Oh Yoon Kwon, Chong-Tae Kim, Hyun Kim, Sang-Kil Jang, Jong-Rak Kim, Seung Kim, Young-Ho Lee, Hwang-Suk Seo, Bong-Do Lee, Jae-Han Song, Jong-Da, Jung-Sik Seo, Song-Ja Kwon, Seung-Woo Lee, and Hyun-Seop Oh. In 2009, 1.5 generation pharmacist Myungha Jo was elected 18th president, revitalizing the Buying Group, expanding seminars and service, and engaging in U.S. healthcare reform. Subsequent presidents included Yoon-Sun Choi and Sung-Hyun Kim. Since 2024, Jo has resumed the presidency to lead a 1.5/2nd-generation-driven association — now hosting annual May CE programs and an October Gala Symposium, building a bridge to the next generation.