"You’re never going to make a lot of money—and you aren’t going to change the whole world. You aren’t going to make Republicans into Democrats and change capitalists into socialists…but you can help some often alienated people to improve their lives. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Each year, APAMSA hosts its Pre-Conference Leadership Forum (PCLF) on the day prior to the main Saturday events of the National Conference. The PCLF provides an opportunity to build leadership skills and interact with leaders as well as fellow students who aspire to leadership. Many APAMSA national officers, chapter members and officers, and community attendees have trained through the PCLF.

Last year, the PCLF in Washington, DC focused on policy and participation of APAs in the political process. This year’s PCLF will focus on community-building and activism. Even with so many APAs entering medicine (20% of students, nationally), we continue to face institutional and cultural challenges towards reaching the echelons of power. Not enough APA MDs are in decision-making positions of clinical and academic medicine, public health, and the greater community, to create needed change for our communities.

APAMSA continues to work towards inspiring that next generation of APA physician-leaders. We have invited speaker and activist Daren Mooko (see bio below) to facilitate discussions on leadership and how to take action, while other guest speakers will talk about the challenges of creating policy and community change around APA health.

We hope you’ll join us for the Pre-Conference Leadership Forum. Please additionally check off the PCLF when completing the main registration for the National Conference if you wish to attend.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• Intro to APAMSA
• APA Health Issues 101
• Leadership Discussions/Skills

• Breakout Discussion Groups
• APAMSA Issues Discussion
  

Daren Mooko, a fourth generation Japanese American, currently serves as the Acting Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Asian American Resource Center at Pomona College in Claremont, California. During his tenure at Pomona College, the Claremont Colleges approved and implemented the Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies. Daren has also mentored numerous students who later went on to become leaders locally and nationally in APAMSA.

Prior to his current position, Daren served as the Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Ball State University, Muncie Indiana. After earning his Bachelors degree in American Literature from San Diego State University, he earned his Masters degree at The University of Vermont in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Daren also served on the Board of Advisors for the Midwest Asian American Student Union (MAASU) for five years and was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for APAHE (Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education).

He also has delivered numerous keynote addresses and workshops at college campuses throughout the country about relevant issues to APIA students such as: Affirmative Action, the Model Minority Myth, APAs and Media Representation and Racism among others. Currently, Mooko is working with a collective of progressive Asian Americans to establish the Bamboo Lane Arts and Community Action Project, an organization that combines cutting edge art, progressive political action and community organizing, youth outreach and education.