Kiet Lam ’98, M.P.H. ’00

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Kiet Lam ’98, M.P.H. ’00, is the recipient of the 2023 UCLA Award for Volunteer of the Year for his passionate dedication to the Academic Advancement Program (AAP). Lam is a respected and experienced leader who excels in creating opportunities, giving back and building a path for future generations.

Lam and his family immigrated to the United States from Vietnam. Growing up in San Diego, he loved sports and science, a path that led him to UCLA. A first-generation college student, he relied on support from UCLA’s Academic Advancement Program, the nation’s largest university-based student diversity academic program. With AAP support, he excelled at UCLA, earning a bachelor’s degree in molecular cell developmental biology and a master’s degree in health services management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

He is a member of the AAP Advisory Council and worked with UCLA Alumni and AAP volunteers to launch the AAP Alumni Network. Lam serves with steadfast commitment as the inaugural president. The network leverages the determination, success, experience and philanthropic support of AAP graduates as mentors and role models to support first-generation students and professionals.

Service is at the core of the True Bruin values and Lam leads by example to ensure that current students have resources to excel. As network president, he has a true passion for helping others, tirelessly spending time in meetings, overseeing committees and fundraising. He brings passion for AAP students as a volunteer for HIGH AIMS, providing academic, career and mentoring support to AAP students who are interested in gaining admission to the health profession.

Lam is the founder and CEO of Climb Healthcare Consulting in the highly competitive San Francisco Bay Area. He prioritizes client service while helping improve the financial health of hospitals and health systems. Lam continues to serve on the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) of Oregon.

Lam and his wife, Pauline Le, were honored as standout volunteers for the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. He has chosen to make a difference in the lives of others and is making an immeasurable impact through his volunteer commitment.