May 2026: AANHPI Heritage Month
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, APAMSA honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities—past, present, and future—and their impact in medicine. Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of AANHPI culture and its intersections with health and medicine.
To our local chapters: we encourage you to deepen your community impact this month! Additional funding for AANHPI-focused outreach is available all month.
Apply here!
May 1, 2026
Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s rich cultural history, Lei Day began in 1928 as a celebration of aloha, a day to honor connection, kindness, and community through the giving of lei. What started as a simple idea grew into a lasting tradition that reflects the beauty of relationships woven with intention and care. Celebrate the spirit of Lei Day with us by reflecting on the connections that shape your journey in medicine and beyond. From our APAMSA ʻohana to yours, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Lei Day!
May 7, 2026
Dr. Bright Zhou’s talk, “The Activated Asian American,” is a timely conversation on advocacy vs. activism, identity, and how medicine can support collective healing in our communities. Dr. Zhou is an attending at USC FMR, whose journey into medicine began in archaeology, excavating ancient sites around the world. Today, they bring that same curiosity to patient care: centering storytelling, advancing culturally reflective medicine, and advocating for linguistically and culturally inclusive healthcare.
Dr. Bright Zhou, MD, MS
Family Medicine, USC
Day: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 1 PM PT (4 PM ET)
In-person: USC Keck School of Medicine, Mayer Auditorium
Virtual option available
May 13, 2026
Asian Americans experience some of the highest rates of mental distress, yet they remain among the least likely to seek support. Stigma, cultural taboos, and the model minority myth continue to create systemic barriers that prevent many from accessing the care they need. It is time to break the silence and confront this crisis directly. Please join APAMSA for a virtual program hosted through the Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health, in partnership with the United Chinese Association WAVES (Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, Support). We are honored to welcome Dr. Lily Chen, who will lead an important discussion on “Silent War: The AAPI Youth Mental Health Crisis.” Join us for an essential conversation as we listen, learn, and work toward a future where AANHPI youth mental health is no longer overlooked.
Dr. Lily Chen
Founder & Executive Director of UCA WAVES
Day: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 4 PM PT (7 PM ET)
May 15, 2026
National APAMSA honors the legacy of AANHPI physician advocates who have shaped medicine, challenged inequities, and uplifted communities, often against the odds. From breaking barriers in training to leading movements for health equity, their work reminds us that representation isn’t just about presence, it’s also about impact.
Their voices have advanced culturally responsive care, expanded access for underserved populations, and redefined what it means to be a physician-leader. Because of them, future generations don’t just enter medicine, they belong in it.
As we celebrate their contributions, we also recognize the responsibility we carry forward: to advocate, to serve, and to continue building a more equitable healthcare system for all.
May 20, 2026
Stay tuned on Instagram for more!
May 29, 2026
APAMSA is proud to collaborate with Dr. Krysti Vo, dual board-certified psychiatrist, for a meaningful conversation exploring identity, belonging, and mental health within the AANHPI community and medical training spaces. Together, we’ll discuss how cultural identity, community expectations, and lived experiences shape mental health journeys for students and future physicians, while highlighting the importance of advocacy, representation, and culturally informed support systems. Join us for an engaging dialogue centered on healing, connection, and empowering the next generation of AANHPI healthcare leaders.
Dr. Krysti Vo
Dual Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Day: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 3 PM PT (6 PM ET)
May 24-30, 2026
Close out AANHPI Heritage Month with APAMSA’s nationwide Fundraising Week, taking place May 24–May 30. Follow along on Instagram as our National Board members lead fundraising efforts through their stories, highlighting the impact of our work and the communities we serve. Every donation directly supports student-led community health initiatives, expands outreach, and empowers future physicians to address critical health disparities.