Meet Lorna Wong, Executive Director, Communications and Content Strategy, University of Chicago Medicine
Introduce yourself, degree information, and current job title
Hi, I’m Lorna Wong, Executive Director of Communications and Content Strategies at the University of Chicago Medicine. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
What is your favorite part of your current work at the University of Chicago Medicine?
I think it’s 2 primary things, leading a team of extremely talented, committed communication and creative professionals who are just fantastic to work with. Also, being a trusted voice, partner for our most senior leadership as far as communication and PR strategies go.
Tell us about your transition from Hawai‘i to Chicago.
Being in Hawai‘i for three decades, I was antsy and I really wanted to move to the mainland. It wasn’t until I was on an exchange program with USA Today, while I was working at the Honolulu Advertiser, that really gave me that bug to move. So, I applied for a number of jobs on the mainland and I ended up getting the job at the Chicago Tribune and I said ‘I have to go’.
Why did you apply to the University of Hawai‘i?
I applied at various schools on the mainland because my mom, who was a single mom, wanted me to actually leave the islands but I couldn’t leave her. So, I applied to UH and I have to admit at first I wasn’t sure if it would actually propel me professionally, but I saw immediately how the programs and faculty there were of high caliber. After a while, I knew if I could succeed at UH then I could succeed outside UH. Decades later here I am at the University of Chicago medicine, where I oversee communications and my responsibilities are vast and large, but I’ve got such a great team of people who surround me and great collaborators, that it reminds me of my time in Hawai‘i at the University of Hawai‘i and because of those similarities and parallels that’s why I've stayed here for 13.5 almost 14 years now.
You initially pursued civil engineering and architecture before discovering journalism. Can you tell us about how you decided to switch to journalism and what advice you have for students having trouble declaring a major?
When I was at McKinley High School, I focused so much of my time on math and science thinking I was going to get an engineering degree. When I got to the University of Hawai‘i, I realized that engineering was not a good fit for me. I started on this path of trying to find the right type of studies. After civil engineering, the next semester I tried architecture which wasn’t a good fit. Then, when I was talking with my sister I realized that my strengths were in English and writing, so journalism might be a good path for me. Within the first semester, I fell in love with the topic and we had terrific professors who were all very seasoned. They were able to provide me and my classmates with real, practical skills that we could apply to our work. I credit their instruction with my ability to land a job while I was a junior at UH at the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
One of the great benefits of attending UH is the diversity of programs and opportunities where you can actually see what different majors are like. I can look back at that time and think, I am so fortunate to have access to different programs and studies so that I could find a passion that also lined up with my interests and skills.
What is your favorite memory from your time at UH?
It has to be my days working at Ka Leo. It was just a really tight community of aspiring journalists. The relationships I built and the skills that I learned there were extremely formative. I encourage any student at UH to look for those kinds of opportunities to practice their skills and apply their passions.
How did your experience at Ka Leo contribute to your growth as a journalist?
The great thing about my time at Ka Leo was that we had an excellent editor. We acted like real journalists and we were able to pursue stories with great collaboration from subject matter experts on campus. We also tackled student government issues. I would actually contact elected officials and identify myself as someone from Ka Leo and they would respond.
What do you think makes the UH community special?
I believe it boils down to the culture around the aloha spirit that’s ingrained in everything about the campus. UH is open and outdoors, which is very welcoming as well as the incredibly dedicated faculty and staff. It’s just a very nurturing environment at UH.