I'm so very sorry to hear of Julie's passing. She was one of my first Khmer language students at UC-Berkeley when I started teaching there in 2008. She ended up studying with me for three years, through Advanced Khmer. She was very intelligent, caring, gentle, and had such a great smile and sense of humor. My deepest condolences to all her family and friends.

Julie, I am so grateful to have known you through our MEPN and PMHNP school years (2014-2017). I always appreciated your smile, kindness, and support through school, especially in our last year seminar. In 2019 you offered up your 2nd bedroom in Chicago, and I wish I had taken you up on this visit. I know you were an excellent NP and your patients were lucky to have you. I am holding you and everyone who’s life you touched in my heart. 

We graduated!

PMHNP cohort at UCSF graduation

Hanging at Roz’s house.

After our first PMHNP grad school year.

MEPN 2014-2015

I stumbled upon this video of our Intermediate Khmer class project. You were the cutest superhero. Just like in this video, you were always trying to help others out. 

I knew Julie through other friends and together, we kinda formed our own little Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants group (minus the pants). Our group consisted of Julie, Theresa, Laura, and me. Despite life taking us separate ways, we always managed to stay in touch and found ways to hang out even though Julie was always in SF or Chicago. Even though there were times we didn’t talk or hang out with each other for months, we always seemed to pick up where we left off when we did get a chance to get together. 

I have many fond memories of Julie over the years. She was a beautiful, strong, independent person who always had clear goals and plans. I enjoyed our heart to hearts where she shared with me her aspirations for the future. She was a wonderful, caring friend of whom I will miss forever. I am heartbroken to say the least and am saddened knowing I will never have an opportunity to see her or have another heart to heart. 

Julie, you were one of the smartest and sweetest person I know. Thank you for being a part of our lives. I miss you dearly and pray you are at peace. Big hugs <3 

This is the hardest thing I have to write in awhile. Some of my most favorite UC Berkeley memories involved you. We may have had some disagreements, but what kinds of friendships don’t have their fair share of those? Even though we did have a rocky start, our friendship grew when we discovered we had a similar childhood with the both of us growing up with a single mother that worked two jobs and being the oldest sibling. You were the best Galentine’s/ Valentine’s Day date that one year we decided to spend the whole day doing all the things we have always wanted to do on Valentine’s Day. I had so much fun that day. We had brunch at Spork, afternoon tea at Lovejoy’s Tea Room, Bi-Rite Creamery ice cream with a sunset view of the city atop the hill of Delores Park, and a pillow fight in the middle of the plaza in front of the Ferry Building. I learned that day that you love tulips so much. I will always think of you every time I see tulips now. I also did not know Harry Potter movies could be so hilarious until I watched one with you. I think that day we watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie. We were laughing so hard in that movie theater even though we probably shouldn’t have since it was one of the darkest Harry Potter films. I can still hear your laughter, your occasional “you weirdo” that you would refer to me as, and you singing the chorus to “End of the Road” by Boyz to Men. I remember the last time we met up. It was when you were down in Orange County before you started Nursing school. We met up for happy hour at JT Schmid’s in Tustin. You were so excited about starting nursing school. You never changed. You were always that same caring, passionate, and positive individual I met in Khmer class. I am so proud of you for finishing nursing school, and fulfilling your dreams as a nurse practitioner and helping out the community. I really wish I had told you more that I appreciate everything you were and did for me, BCSA (and other organizations you were involved in), the mentees you cared so much for, our Khmer class that would not have been the same without your energy and presence, and other lives you’ve touched. I will always cherish the beautiful memories I had with you. Keep smiling up in heaven and know that I miss you. 

Julie was my mentor in an organization called TAL at UC Berkeley. I was a high school student and she was a student at UC Berkeley. Julie was the mentor and friend I needed as a high school student. We had similar background so I felt comfortable sharing things with her. Julie helped me tremendously in both academic and personal life. She helped with my applications & personal statement essays for the University of California college admissions. Aside from high school academics, Julie also help ran workshops that taught me about Asian American studies. Her contributions as a mentor helped me grew to what I am today.

I miss you Julie, I am sad to hear the news when Tim texted me. I wish we got to spend more time after TAL. Thank you for being a caring, kindhearted person and everything you've done for me and the TAL community. Rest in peace. 

To Julie's loved ones, my deepest condolences on your loss. Julie, you were a beautiful person - compassionate, bright, thoughtful, caring, and always working to have a positive impact on people. I truly appreciated our conversations and am grateful I met you. You touched so many people's lives and are greatly missed.

Julie you had an impact on my life and those around you. I will always remember your compassionate heart and kindness. I miss you and I love you! I pray you are at peace now.

Julie, I don’t think you knew this but you were a role model for me as a new psych NP, following your footsteps at the VA and literally in some clinics.  Your work and love were so abounding, that it radiated even in your absence when you moved to Chicago.  I experienced it most with your brother Michael and with our friend Cedric at your SF home.  Thank you for sharing so much love that you empowered Michael & Cedric to share it with those around them.

Julie was a classmate of mine during a very grueling MEPN year at UCSF. Throughout the rigor of the program, Julie was always a bright light in my day. She was always upbeat, positive, happy and was inspirational to me and others around her. Her smile was gorgeous and would lift my spirits no matter what kind of day I was having. Julie was a wonderful young woman and will be deeply missed.

Utah and Elda’s Wedding-Good Times!

Documentary on resilience and perseverance 

Fast forward to 1240. 

Lessons from a Woman of Cambodian

They say it’s a cowards way out

But you are not a coward without a doubt

Cause you’re the daughter of soldiers that lifted boulders of generational trauma

Superman couldn’t lift the pain they endured

The Pacific Ocean couldn’t hold the blood, sweat, tears that they poured

For Your parents were the Survivors of the Cambodian genocide

Shame that even the grave and history can’t hide

Little Children,

Running through fields at only 5

How did they survive

So,

Believe me,

you were bold as a lion

That say it’s selfish without a doubt

But I saw you give up all your earthly possessions without a thought, or fame or glory to be sought,

“or what will I get in return”

Heart burning to give to a community in shackles

You never studied the Word,

yet You actually walked the sermon on the mount

Giving the clothes off your back just to hide your neighbors pain

You were the epitome of selfless

Facing the world seeking to make a change

They say it’s for the Weak

But you were one of the strongest people I ever met

These eyes NEVER cry,

But after hearing of your death, your desire to no longer carry on in this world,

They actually Wept

May GOD have mercy on your soul,

Perished and crushed,

Trying to survive in this world that’s so cold

VA residency camping trip, planned and coordinated by Julie!