Chong Sook Suh

1947 - 2018

August 10, 1947 - January 28, 2018 Retired Psychologist and Corona resident, Dr. Chong Suh passed away on January 28th, 2018 of heart failure in the presence of her loving family. She was 70. Dr. Chong Suh was born on August 10, 1947 in Seoul, Korea. She studied medicine at Seoul National University, then moved to the US where she earned a BS and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Kansas. After teaching in Kansas and North Carolina, she completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Psychotherapy Research Program at Vanderbilt University. In 1984, Dr. Suh moved to Los Angeles and began working as a Clinical Psychologist at Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers. She was a key leader in developing APCTC's privatized full service behavioral health outpatient operation. Under her leadership, APCTC remained responsive to community needs while leading large-scale efforts in response to emergencies such as the 1992 LA Riots, 1994 Northridge earthquake and 9/11 wherein vulnerable populations including immigrants and refugees experienced trauma as well as high incidents of PTSD relating to their historical struggles. Dr. Chong Suh was often consulted by local and ethnic media for matters relating to mental health and pushed for research grants and other opportunities to de-stigmatize mental health issues. As a passionate advocate for providing comprehensive mental health services, she created APCTC's Vocational Rehabilitation program, Housing program, Wellness program, Community Integration services, and NAMI Asian Pacific Chapter in addition to fundamental clinical counseling programs. Dr. Chong Suh's gift of healing and grace is showcased through her warm interactions with staff, clients and their families. During her 33 years of leadership, Dr. Chong Suh turned the hope of wellness and recovery into reality for a considerable number of individuals and families and left an amazing legacy of care for vulnerable populations. Her passing is grieved for by her husband, Dr. Eun Sik Yang and his children, as well as her loving sister and brother and nieces and nephews who all miss her terribly. Funeral Services are being held on February 3, 2018 at Hankook Mortuary at 1pm. She will be laid to rest on February 5, 2018 at Forest Lawn Glendale at 3pm.