Michele Kong

Michele Kong, MD, MBA is the co-founder of KultureCity, the world’s leading non-profit in sensory accessibility. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and holds an endowed professorship from Children's of Alabama, one of the highest academic awards bestowed on a faculty member. She is a critical care physician scientist, an NIH funded investigator, and leads several clinical trials, with a research portfolio focused on understanding the role of protease dysregulation in the pathogenesis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lung disease, the pathophysiology and immune response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and acute lung injury in critically ill children. She is a highly regarded speaker, and well published in high-impact medical and non-medical journals. She was awarded the 2019 Woman of Impact Award, which recognizes the honoree’s personal and professional contributions to the state of Alabama that have moved the needle across business, government, and non-profit sectors. In 2021, her service was recognized by selection into the Good Morning America list of ‘Who is Making Asian American Pacific Islander History in 2021: The GMA Inspiration List’. In 2020, Michele suffered from a stroke, and since then has used her story to further push the boundaries for inclusion, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or have invisible disabilities. She continues to be an endurance athlete, completing ultramarathon races and an Ironman despite her stroke.