Janel and Michael Luu, MD

Leading by example during extraordinary times.

Michael Luu, MD, knows what it takes to deliver quality care. The cardiologist, who has been a member of Huntington Hospital’s medical staff for 29 years, underscores the hospital’s high commitment to patient safety and outcomes, as well as great communication among caregivers and administrators, as among the important factors.

When COVID-19 struck, Dr. Luu notes, the safety of patients and of caregivers themselves could have been jeopardized: “I saw how healthcare providers nationwide were having difficulty finding masks and other protective equipment,” he explains, “and I suspected Huntington Hospital would also face challenges.” He and his wife, Janel, stepped up to help.

“Janel and I wanted to do as much as we possibly could to keep patients, staff and community safe,” he says. He quickly got on the phone.

Over and above his busy clinical schedule, Dr. Luu spent time talking to friends and colleagues. He described the need for protective surgical masks, and for contributions to help purchase them. His extraordinary efforts were successful and, with generous support from those he contacted, Dr. Luu was able to procure 150,000 level-3 surgical masks, which he immediately passed on to us. We are extremely grateful to each of the donors — listed at right — who made this possible.

In addition, the Luus themselves purchased and donated an additional 30,000 level-3 masks. “As part of the medical staff,” he says, “I wanted to help my community and co-workers however I could. Making a personal contribution is one way we can do that.”

Level-3 masks offer a high level of filtration and fluid resistance thanks to a multi-layer construction. While known as surgical masks, they are also used in non-surgical settings to prevent the spread of infection. Because they are meant for single use only, the need for them is high.

“Huntington Hospital has been good to me,” Dr. Luu says. “It’s the place I practice medicine. My children were born here. Whenever any of us need care, we come here first. So when there was a need for masks, we saw it as an opportunity to give back.”

Thank you.

Many thanks to the thoughtful donors who provided support toward vital protective equipment, through Dr. Luu’s fundraising efforts:

Stan and Adeline Chang Raymond and Gloria Chau Andrew and Peggy Cherng Teiji and Stephanie Kawana David and Mahnaz Lee Li Lu and Eva Zhao Janel and Michael Luu, MD Dominic Ng and Ellen Wong-Ng Talmadge and Renata O’Neill William and Megan Phelps Silvia D. Shi and Jefferson Li Harry Tsao and Carol Chen Renee Ying Robert and Shirley Yu