On Nov. 14, the Hong Kong Red Cross announced its Hong Kong Humanity Award 2020 recipients. One of the recipients, George C. Woo, is an IU School of Optometry alumnus.
The Hong Kong Humanity Award is organized jointly by the Hong Kong Red Cross and Radio Television Hong Kong. The award recognizes people with outstanding humanitarian contributions to protect human life, care for the health of the vulnerable, and respect human dignity. The honor aims to recognize individuals in society who put these humanitarian contributions into practice and action.
George Woo, MS’68, PhD’70, used his extensive clinical and research experience in optometry to found the then Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the then Hong Kong Polytechnic (now The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) to promote the development of optometry in Hong Kong. In addition to treating patients who had lost much of their eyesight, Dr. Woo also wished to help provide support to emotionally distressed people.
This led to Dr. Woo volunteering for the past 18 years as a hotline volunteer at The Samaritans center. In 2015, he became the chairman of the board of directors of The Samaritans. He supported the development of the organization, including setting up services for the elderly and young people. Dr. Woo hopes that The Samaritans’ services can continue to be enhanced to help save more lives.
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