Save The Date For Our 17th Annual National APAMSA Hepatitis Conference!
🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨 We are pleased to announce and invite you to the 17th Annual National APAMSA Hepatitis Conference taking place on November 11th, 2023 in Boston, MA! Stay tuned for additional announcements on speakers, poster presentations, funding, collaborations with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and other logistics.
Response to the SCOTUS Ruling Against Race-Conscious Admissions
The morning of Thursday, June 29th, 2023 was marked by a groundbreaking turn of legal events as the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled on two historic cases: Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina. With their ruling, SCOTUS banned the consideration of race in college admissions, thereby overturning decades of precedent supporting affirmative action policies. Indeed, the 1978 case Regents of University of California v. Bakke, the 2003 case Grutter v. Bollinger, and most recently, the 2016 case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin all concluded that the consideration of race in college admissions is constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause, especially in light of the need to create a diverse educational environment. Regardless, SCOTUS has now ruled to the contrary: Race-conscious admissions in fact violate the Equal Protection Clause and must be prohibited. While students will still be able to identify themselves in their applications to speak about experiences of discrimination and hardship, the spirit of the ruling is nevertheless deeply problematic.
APAMSA has long promoted diversity in higher education. Our policy compendium includes Resolution 40.002 (Improving Campus Diversity Initiatives) and Resolution 40.003 (Defending Race-Conscious Admissions in Undergraduate Medical Education). More directly to the point, we joined the amicus brief written by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to support the protection of affirmative action policies in these very trials on which SCOTUS has now ruled.
We unambiguously and unequivocally oppose this SCOTUS ruling. It is a misguided attempt at promoting meritocracy in the midst of immense and complex historical and social inequities, such that to pursue meritocracy while ignoring those inequities is to aim horribly astray. Furthermore, we believe that our patients are best served by a diverse community of talented medical professionals, such that to limit that diversity from entering higher education is to endanger our patients.
The AANHPI community specifically should also strongly oppose this ruling. As Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer eloquently articulates in her dissent, the AANHPI community needs race-conscious admissions to be fully respected. Asian Americans are victims of historical and current discrimination and stereotyping that require a diverse society, as promoted by affirmative action policies, to be overcome. Moreover, the AANHPI community is not a monolith, and it needs to be seen in its disaggregated and distinct diversity if its members are to be fully seen.
Ultimately, we call for SCOTUS to reconsider its decision and restore affirmative action to this nation’s higher education system. We also urge all other educational, pre-professional, and professional organizations to join us in fighting against this attack on racial equity and diversity.
For questions or concerns about this statement, please reach out to Eric Kim at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Daniel Pham, MD
Network Director
Dr. Daniel Pham will soon begin his residency as a Resident Physician in the first-ever Combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals. During his time as a medical student at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, he played an integral role in the formation of APAMSA’s inaugural chapter in Oklahoma, where he served as Senior Adviser and the chapter’s representative to the House of Delegates. Daniel also served on APAMSA’s national board, first as the Rapid Response Director and later as the Vice-President of Advocacy. Notably, he authored significant policy positions on race-conscious admission practices and racism in medicine, contributing to APAMSA’s history in national advocacy. In recognition of his outstanding service, Dr. Pham was honored with the National President’s Award for Distinguished Service in 2023. Beyond his medical pursuits, he is deeply passionate about local civic involvement, media, storytelling, and fostering solidarity. In his leisure time, he indulges in his guilty pleasure of following the latest anime season.
Nicole Ng, MD
Network Director
Nicole Ng is currently an Internal Medicine resident at the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell. As a third culture kid, she spent her formative years between Beijing, Hong Kong, and Vancouver. Nicole graduated from UCLA with a BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. During undergrad, she spearheaded efforts to offer free health screenings for local Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Nicole completed her MD degree at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, where she reestablished and led her local APAMSA chapter as Co-President. She went on to become a Regional Director and then the Academic Education and Research Director for National APAMSA. Outside of medicine, Nicole likes to write Yelp reviews, introduce her friends to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and explore art/history museums.
Brandon Yan, MD, MPH
Network Director
Brandon Yan is a UCSF internal medicine resident physician dedicated to providing high-quality clinical care and bringing evidence to health policy reform. He previously served on the APAMSA National Board as Region VIII Director (2021) and Health Policy Director (2022-23). Brandon trained in policy analysis at Duke and public health at Harvard. As a researcher, Brandon primarily studies how public policy can help improve healthcare access, value, and equity. His published studies include those on Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), cost-effectiveness of heart failure treatment guidelines, COVID-19’s impact on Asian Americans, U.S. elections and mental health, and the Affordable Care Act with citation in major media including the SF Chronicle, LA Times, US News & World Report, Newsweek, and KRON4 News. His research was the first to uncover why reduction in deaths from Medicaid expansion did not translate into reduction in population mortality. He led some of the first work on COVID-19’s impact on Asian Americans that went on to impact public policy at local, state, and national levels. He also serves as a consultant on public health policy.
Typhoon Mawar - Guam Disaster Relief
We are a group of medical students from Guam raising money for Typhoon Relief for our island community.
Guam, a gem nestled in the western Pacific Ocean, holds immense significance both historically and culturally. Known as “Where America’s Day Begins,” this stunning island community is a melting pot of Chamorro traditions and Western influences. With a rich history spanning centuries, Guam has captivated visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and lush tropical rainforests. However, the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Mawar calls for our urgent attention and support to help Guam recover and rebuild from this natural disaster.
As you may be aware, Typhoon Mawar heavily impacted the U.S. territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) with intense winds, flooding rain, and a life-threatening storm surge Wednesday evening (May 24, 2023). Most of Guam is without power after sustained winds of 140 mph whipped across the islands. Electricity, water, gas, and communications (including internet services) may continue to be unavailable for weeks and perhaps months. Moreover, the only public hospital on the island (Guam Memorial Hospital) also sustained major damage with severe leaks, flooding, walls collapsing, and loss of the kitchen due to an electrical fire. President Biden declared that a major disaster exists on the island of Guam ordering Federal aid to supplement local recovery efforts. The White House Response
In light of the devastating effects of the typhoon, we are seeking your support to help aid the recovery and rebuilding efforts of our island home.
All funds raised will directly support local and national charities to obtain vital supplies for those most vulnerable in the community.
Funds will be distributed to support the following efforts:
-American Red Cross: Typhoon Mawar – Red Cross Donation Link
-Micronesian Climate Change Alliance – https://mccalliance.org/
-Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund – https://guam.salvationarmy.org/guam/
-Purchase and deliver supplies for Guamanians displaced. Supplies needed include:
- Toiletries
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Water
- Coolers
- Dry/nonperishable foods
- Tarps
- Cleaning Kits
- Rakes and Shovels
si Yu’us ma’åse’
Kai Akimoto, MS2 University of Minnesota School of Medicine
Ariana Barreau, MS4 Carle Illinois College of Medicine UIUC
CJ Hattori, MS1 University of California San Diego
Tiffie Keung, MS4 Michigan State University College of Medicine
Eric Pineda, MS4 Tulane University School of Medicine
Paul Tominez, MS3 University of California San Francisco
Jia Jia Zhang, MS3 Harvard Medical School
Congratulations on graduating! Stay connected to APAMSA with your free alumni membership!
To celebrate your graduation as an APAMSA member, we would like to extend an invitation for a free APAMSA alumni membership. We hope that APAMSA can continue to grow as a supportive community where people at all points in their medical training can build relationships, strengthen connections across state borders, and foster diversity in the medical field. To redeem your membership, please visit: https://app.joinit.com/o/nationalapamsa. If you already have a membership, you can renew your membership as an alumni at no cost.
Statement on the Shooting in Allen, Texas
Saturday, May 6th, 2023 was marked by yet another horrific tragedy, as nine people lost their lives and seven more were injured in a shopping mall in Allen, Texas. Among those killed are four members of the AANHPI community—a Korean family of three, leaving a son orphaned, and an Indian woman. The police are currently investigating the extent to which the attack was motivated by far-right extremist ideologies. Regardless, we at APAMSA lament all of the lives that were devastated by this past weekend’s events—not merely those within the AANHPI community.
In every instance, we staunchly oppose gun violence (Resolution 40.006) and demand stricter gun control. Indeed, we believe strong gun regulations are essential to ensuring all people’s safety, as shown by the string of shootings that have preceded this latest one over the past year, from Laguna Woods and Buffalo to Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay. We call for legislators to fight with unprecedented urgency to protect those innocent lives who might be saved through gun reform. We cannot allow any more injustices to terrorize those whom we hold dear.
We continue to offer our support to all of our local chapters and members, especially in Texas, and we encourage you to reach out with any specific ways we can be of service. Please also consult our list of mental health resources if you are interested in learning more.
If you are interested in exploring additional ways APAMSA can lend our support during these trying times, please reach out to Karen Qi at mentalhealth@apamsa.org, and the Region 9 Directors at region9@apamsa.org.
For questions or concerns about this statement, please reach out to Eric Kim at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
CONGRATS to the 2023 President's Award for Distinguished Service Honorees!
CONGRATS to our graduating M4s who received the 2023 President’s Award for Distinguished Service! Join us as we recognize and honor these 10 APAMSA student leaders who have dedicated years of service, achievement, and committment to empowering our membership and AANHPI community. Thank you for all your leadership and best of luck with residency!
Youtube Videos (credit to Madelynn Zhang):
Short version
Full version
Awardees:
John Yuen, Stony Brook
Madeleine Wong, NYMC
Sai Mupparaju, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Jonathan Weng, NYU
Laureen Chan, SUNY Downstate
Daniel Pham, University of Oklahoma
Brandon Yan, UCSF
Rodan Mecano, MSU COM
Nicole Ng, VCU
Onyoo Park, NYU
Attend the Future Physicians for Change Conference from June 15-17 in Phoenix, AZ!
If you go to one convention this year, it should be this one: Future Physicians for Change. This is a joint annual convention with AMSA, APAMSA, MSFC, and MS4SF, the first of its kind. This 3-day event from June 15-17, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ is wholly designed to empower, train and inspire us — tomorrow’s physicians — from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. You don’t want to miss this — and if you book before May 15, you get the lowest rate. Join us! Visit FP4Change.org for more information. SIGN UP FOR A SPOT TODAY HERE. #FP4Change