About Us

Korean Health Education Information & Research Center

Our Mission Statement

Kheir’s mission is to increase and provide access to culturally and linguistically-sensitive quality primary healthcare and human services support to the underserved and uninsured residents of Southern California.


Young-Oak Kim

Our History

Kheir Clinic’s legacy began in 1986, when it was founded by Colonel Young-Oak Kim, a World War II and Korean War combat veteran, civic leader, and dedicated humanitarian.

Renowned for his courage in battle and later recognized with countless international military decorations and a push for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Colonel Kim translated his profound commitment to public service into a vital community safety net. He established the Korean Health, Education, Information, and Research Center (KHEIR) to guide new immigrants through complex American healthcare systems and secure the medical care they were rightfully entitled to receive. 

Today, that pioneering initiative has grown into a leading community health center, carrying forward Colonel Kim’s mission of multilingual, comprehensive care for Southern California’s diverse, underserved communities. Kheir is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the nation offering a full suite of services in five languages: English, Bengali, Korean, Spanish, and Thai.

2026

Kheir Clinic achieved a 100% match rate for its inaugural Family Medicine Residency Program, welcoming four physicians from a competitive national applicant pool.

Dr. Romero meets with a pediatric patient during a clinic visit.

2026

Kheir adds its 8th service site, the Kheir Olympic Clinic, further increasing the organization’s capacity to serve the growing needs of the community.

Kheir Clinic Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting

2025

Kheir officially opens its first Pharmacy, expanding the organization’s ability to provide coordinated care and giving patients access to medications within the same trusted network.

Korean presidential commendation award ceremony.

2023

Kheir is presented with the Korean Presidential Commendation and Pennant Flag for Kheir’s effective promotion and delivery of critically vital services to the underserved community members and Korean immigrants in the United States.

Patient at community outreach event.

2022

Kheir is awarded 2022 Nonprofit of the Year by the California State Assembly for District 54.

Kheir Mirae Adult Day Health Care Facility

2022

Kheir adds 5th and 6th service sites: Mirae Adult Day Health Care Center and Wilshire Clinic 100 with onsite Optometry, and Acupuncture.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

2021

Kheir addresses COVID-19 vaccine equity and effectively administers 15,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the community over a 5-month period.

2020

Kheir is selected Community Clinic of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal.

Kheir Clinic COVID‑19 Response in Action

2020

Kheir distributes 2,000 hot meals and 12,500 pounds of fresh groceries to patients, delivers 16,640 hot meals, and completes 52,000 wellness check calls for seniors.

2017

Kheir’s 6th Street and Wilshire Clinics receive NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition, a designation awarded to medical practices that have demonstrated a commitment to quality improvement and patient-centered care.

Optometry Appointment

2016

Kheir begins offering Dental and Optometry services at Karsh, addressing the rising demand for affordable oral and vision care in the city.

Kheir Wilshire Clinic Ribbon Cutting

2015

Kheir’s Wilshire Clinic opens its doors, increasing Kheir’s service capacity.

2013

Kheir’s 6th Street Clinic is awarded the FQHC designation by the Federal government, making it the first Community Health Center in the country to serve a Korean-majority patient base.

Mammogram Outreach at RFK Health Fair

2007

American Cancer Society presents Kheir with Collaboration Award for its ongoing cancer prevention program.

Kheir 6th Street Clinic Ribbon Cutting

2006

Kheir Clinic opens Kheir – S. Mark Taper Foundation Community Clinic in its new home on 6th Street in Koreatown, providing one-stop access to primary care, digital imaging, and human services.

2000

Kheir launches its medical services in a 2-room clinic in Koreatown.

1986

Decorated WWII veteran Colonel Young Oak Kim establishes Korean Health Education Information & Research Center (Kheir Clinic) following the United Way Needs Assessment of the Korean community in Los Angeles.

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