Dear APAMSA Student Leaders,
Welcome to a new year with APAMSA! It is an honor to serve you as this year’s national president. I will be drawing upon your strengths and ambitions to carry forth the mission of APAMSA – to address the neglected health issues of Asian Pacific American communities. My vision for this year is to strengthen APAMSA’s force as a collective group of advocates though policy, research, and service.
It is imperative that we as future physicians understand and shape the policies that govern the care we provide. I will make available on our website and newsletter resources and pertinent legislation for the current state of Asian Pacific American health affairs. I will mobilize APAMSA chapters to meet with our elected officials to educate them and ask for their support of policies that eliminate Asian Pacific American disparities.
In light of the shift towards evidence-based medicine, it is more important than ever to support research that answers questions such as “What are the health disparities of Asian Pacific American communities?” and “What are the deficiencies in healthcare delivery to these groups?” It is vital to have the data to support any advocacy effort that will ultimately redirect limited healthcare dollars. Consequently, I will organize a database of research opportunities and mentors at APAMSA chapter institutions, along with workshops to facilitate such endeavors.
With great pride, I am excited to perpetuate APAMSA’s commitment to service. I look forward to working with our community outreach directors to advance ongoing national projects such as our Japanese Tsunami Relief Fundraising Competition, and Hepatitis B Screening & Vaccination Awards. I am also eager to work with our Global Health Directors to provide APAMSA members with opportunities to serve abroad, and provide basic healthcare in areas of dire need such as rural China and India.
I ask you to act now, and contact the directors of our national initiatives – Hepatitis B, Health Advocacy, Global Health, Community Outreach, Bone Marrow, Cancer, Pre-medical, and South Asian – to begin collaborating today. It is up to all of us as student leaders to lead the way in improving healthcare access, quality, and delivery for Asian Pacific Americans.
With gratitude,
Jason H. Chen
National President 2011-2012 | Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
M.D. Candidate 2013 | Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
President Elect Jason Chen (Bottom Right) and APAMSA Student Leaders with U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh.
