About Dr. Kent Woo
If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re curious about who I am and what I do. Maybe you stumbled upon this page, or maybe someone sent you here. Either way, let me tell you my story—because I’ve realized that if I don’t share it, others will just make their own assumptions. I hope this helps us connect, especially if we ever cross paths in person.
Why Medicine?
Back in high school, I often wondered if what I was learning would ever apply to real life. I wanted a career where I could use what I studied every single day. To a youngster, being a doctor seemed like the logical choice to serve, contribute, and find meaning in my work.
By pure luck (not some well-thought-out life plan), I found myself graduating from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia at the age of 21. At the time, I was young, full of confidence. If you have watched Lion King, I felt like young Simba on the plains—when in reality, I was probably more of a Timon figuring things out as I went along.
Residency and the Day the World Changed
I began my Internal Medicine residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where I made lifelong friends and learned so much about patient care. Virginia Beach was also where I developed my love for fishing and the outdoors.
Later, I was honored to be nominated by my peers to serve as Chief Resident at the Hampton VA Hospital. It was here, on September 11, 2001, that the world changed for all of us. If you ask everyone where they were on September 11, I am sure that they can accurately tell you. My story is that I was driving to the VA Hospital and just exited the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel when I heard on the radio news that a small plane collided into the World Trade Center in NYC.
Moments later when the full information on what had happened filtered down, I had to help coordinate the military lockdown in the hospital and brief the EVMS medical team on what to expect. I could still recall seeing the Jets flying overhead and the Warships being deployed. At that time, I was not thinking too much other than to perform the task at hand and to coordinate the medical residents. There were no heroics on my part. Everyone was glued to the Television for any updates (you must understand that the iPhone wasn’t invented at that time).
Looking back, those moments shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Building Something New
After chief residency, I was appointed as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. It was an exciting time because the concept of hospitalist medicine was still evolving. Internal Medicine specialists were very much needed in hospitals to help coordinate the complicated care of very sick patients. Hospitalists have to work with multiple different specialists (each focusing on their niche areas). As a hospitalist, my role was to manage and streamline the care of complex patients – like Dr. House, minus the drama and sarcasm!
I was tasked to start the academic hospitalist program at Norfolk General Hospital. I slowly built the program by gaining trust and recognition from my fellow colleagues. In time, the program was filled with an excellent team of physicians and became the cornerstone of hospital patient care. But as fulfilling as it was, I knew I had to move forward. I decided to give up what I had achieved to pursue something new.
Moving to Another Specialty
Allergy and Immunology as a specialty appealed to me as I loved the clinical and intellectual aspects of the field. My colleagues were surprised by my decision but gave their support and cheered me on. Taking calls and carrying a full patient load as a hospitalist while applying to a competitive subspecialty has its unique set of challenges.
I managed to land my fellowship training at Louisiana State University under the mentorship of Dr. Sami Bahna. He is an internationally recognized figure in food allergy and then president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
During this time, it was 2008, right smack in the middle of one of biggest financial crisis. I decided to sell my house and downsize everything to fit into my car. I proceeded to drive all the way from Virginia to Louisiana. It was here, in Shreveport, that I learned about the bayou, Cajun food, and how to do a proper crawfish boil—alongside becoming an Allergist, of course.
Bringing Allergy Care to Malaysia
After completing my fellowship, I joined a thriving allergy practice in Northern Virginia and built a state-of-the-art immunotherapy program. Life was good, but sometimes life pulls you in new directions. My family ties brought me back to Malaysia, and I saw it as an opportunity to serve patients in a new part of the world.
Commitment to Learning and Patient Care
If you’re wondering about my qualifications, here’s the short version:
- I am board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
- I have a Diploma in Clinical Dermatology (with Distinction) from Queen Mary University of London.
- I’ve published in many leading medical journals and participate as an active speaker in many medical conferences.
- I was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in recognition of my dedication to teaching and commitment to excellence in medicine.
- I served as President of the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology (MSAI) from 2022 to 2024.
- During my presidency, I helped secure ongoing research and educational grants for Malaysia and brought the APAAACI 2024 International Congress to Kuala Lumpur.
I don’t share this to boast. I share it to show my commitment to giving my patients the best care possible, grounded in knowledge, experience, and compassion.
Building The Allergy Immunology Clinic Team
Medicine isn’t a solo effort. Here in Kuala Lumpur, I established The Allergy Immunology Clinic – a team of doctors, nurses, and support staff who share one focus: you, the patient.
We know that allergy and immune diseases are more than just physical conditions – they can steal your quality of life. And we also know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re bombarded with conflicting advice from friends, family, or social media.
At our clinic, we are your partners. We will explain your treatment options clearly, respect your choices, and work with you to find solutions that fit your needs. We’ll bring you the latest therapeutics, and in return, we ask for your trust and commitment to the process.
It’s a two-way street. Together, we can help you take control of your health.
Staying Connected
I’ve started sharing insights and educational content on social media—nothing fancy, but hopefully helpful. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube under DrKentWoo
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read this far—thank you! I hope this gives you a sense of who I am, how I got here, and why I do what I do. My story, like most stories, includes its share of failures and setbacks, but it’s those very moments that shaped the path I’m on.
If we ever meet in person, I hope you’ll feel that connection – that behind the credentials and titles, there’s a doctor who genuinely cares about making a difference in your life.
I am including my CV for download here
