July 2026: Pre-Health Month
July 2026: Pre-Health Month
From our APAMSA family to you: welcome to Pre-Health Month! ✨ Join us this July as we support pre-health students navigating the path to medicine with honest conversations, practical guidance, and community-centered mentorship.
Throughout the month, we’ll be hosting three featured events designed to demystify the pre-health journey and help students feel more prepared and better-informed.
First, join us for an extracurriculars fair highlighting different ways to gain meaningful experience before medical school, including research, clinical work, community service, volunteering, and summer programs. Students will have the chance to learn more about opportunities in basic science, clinical research, community health, medical assisting, EMT work, scribing, non-clinical volunteering, and more.
We’ll also be hosting Choosing a Medical School, a candid discussion on thoughtfully building a school list, MD vs. DO programs, and the factors that are (or aren’t) actually important to consider when choosing a school in the opinions of current medical students.
Finally, we’ll close out the month with a Q&A with admissions officers, where students will have the opportunity to hear directly from those involved in the admissions process and learn what medical schools are really looking for.
Whether you’re just beginning your pre-health journey or preparing to apply, we hope this month helps you feel more confident, connected, and supported.
Sign up here for APAMSA’s new pre-health email list for information on pre-health-specific events and opportunities!
July 1, 2026
Looking for guidance on the pre-health journey? APAMSA’s Big Sib/Little Sib Mentorship Program is here to connect undergraduate pre-health students with current medical students for meaningful mentorship, support, and community.
Little Sibs can receive one-on-one guidance on course planning, personal statements, medical school applications, specialty exploration, and more. Big Sibs will have the opportunity to give back, build mentorship experience, and support the next generation of physicians.
NEW THIS YEAR: Little Sibs will get *exclusive access* to APAMSA’s list of Campus Ambassadors! The Ambassadors are current medical students who have generously volunteered to answer questions from pre-health students about their schools to faciliate the process of deciding which schools to apply to and attend.
This program is open for the 2026–2027 academic year, with quarterly check-ins and opportunities to connect at regional and national conferences.
Applications close: July 31, 2026
Pairing reveal: August 2026
Apply now and join a community built on mentorship, support, and shared growth.
July 7, 2026
Are you looking for ways to get involved outside the classroom? Unsure which extracurriculars align with your interests and goals as a future healthcare professional?
Join APAMSA’s Pre-Health Month for our Extracurricular Fair, where medical students will share their experiences with research, clinical opportunities, volunteering, leadership, and other meaningful activities and reflect on how their extracurricular experiences enhanced their medical school applications. Discover new opportunities, ask questions, and learn how different extracurricular paths can help you grow personally and professionally while preparing for a career in medicine.
Date: July 7, 2026
Time: 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET
July 21, 2026
Are you stuck deciding between an MD or DO program? Are you unsure of what the difference between the two is? Join us for APAMSA’s Pre-Health Month as we explore the similarities, differences, and misconceptions between allopathic and osteopathic medicine. We’ll discuss differences in curriculum, licensing, philosophy of care, and residency competitiveness to help inform you of which path may be a better fit for you!
Date: July 21, 2026
Time: 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET
July 28, 2026
The Pre-Health Admissions Panel is an opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing medicine to ask questions to Admissions Officers from various institutions. Join to get a better sense of how to prepare for applications and what to expect throughout the whole process!
Date: July 28, 2026
Time: 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET
APAMSA x Vot-ER Partnerships Internship
Job Title: APAMSA Partnerships & Civic Health Intern
Effective Date: 2026 Summer & Fall Academic Semesters
Compensation: Academic Credit
Weekly Hourly Expectation: 15-20 hours/week
Note: This internship is only available to current members of Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA).
Job Summary: The Partnerships & Civic Health Intern will serve as a critical link between the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association and Vot-ER, supporting Vot-ER as we continue to grow and deepen relationships with health institutions across the country. This role is designed for a proactive, detail-oriented student leader who is passionate about the intersection of health and democracy. You will be responsible for deepening current organizational ties, onboarding new partners, and spearheading a specialized initiative focused on the Emergency Patient Voting (EPV) Program.
Key Responsibilities:
1) Relationship Management: Support the Deputy Director of Partnerships in maintaining high-touch communication with existing partners to increase engagement.
2) Expansion: Actively identify and “bring into the fold” new health-related organizations to expand our national footprint beyond current partners.
3) Civic Holiday Orchestration: Prepare and execute mobilization strategies and communications assets for Civic Holidays (e.g., National Voter Registration Day, National Voter Education Week, Vote Early Day).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact advocacy@apamsa.org.
See the job posting and submit an application at: tinyurl.com/APAMSAVotERInternship
Katherine Xie, South Regional Conference Committee Member
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Katherine Xie is an incoming sophomore at Rice University studying Biosciences with a concentration in Cell Biology and Genetics. She is passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, with a particular interest in dermatology and the intersection of clinical care and scientific research. Katherine is especially interested in translational medicine, skin biology, and skincare innovation, and hopes to contribute to advancing patient care through research-driven discoveries. Through her academic and extracurricular experiences, she aims to develop as both a clinician and researcher dedicated to improving health outcomes.
Shaylla Wilson, South Regional Conference Committee Member
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Shaylla Wilson is a rising sophomore at Rice University majoring in Chemistry and Asian Studies. She is driven by a deep interest in clinical care and Asian American health disparities. Shaylla is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Rice University’s upcoming chapter of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), where they work to support and resources for Asian American pre-medical students. In addition to her leadership in APAMSA, she serves as an O-Week Peer Academic Advisor (PAA), providing academic mentorship to incoming students, and also serves as the Cultural Chair for Rice’s Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). She is fascinated by the intersections of internal medicine and systemic disease, and ultimately plans to pursue a career in medicine specializing in ophthalmology or cardiology. She hope to integrate her love for chemical sciences, clinical research, and community advocacy into a future medical practice dedicated to protecting patient health.
Jada Truong, South Regional Conference Committee Member
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Jada Truong is a second-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) John Sealy School of Medicine and serves as a South Regional Conference Committee Member for APAMSA. Originally from the Houston area, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Baylor University and is passionate about advancing health equity, mentorship, and community engagement. At UTMB, Jada serves as President of the local APAMSA chapter, where she leads initiatives focused on professional development, cultural celebration, advocacy, and community outreach. Through APAMSA, she has helped at health screening events and educational programs serving Asian American communities, with a particular focus on improving healthcare access for Vietnamese-speaking patients.
As a first-generation college graduate and future physician, Jada is committed to addressing healthcare disparities through culturally competent care, mentorship, and service. Her professional interests include family medicine and community-based health initiatives, and she hopes to continue integrating leadership, advocacy, and service throughout her medical career.
Truong Nguyen, South Regional Conference Committee Member
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Truong Nguyen is currently an MS-II at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He currently serves as President of his local APAMSA chapter and is broadly interested in anesthesia, interventional psychiatry, and advancing health equity for the AANHPI community. Outside of medicine, he enjoys anime, all things horror-related, and spending time with his two cats.
Nathan Kim, West Region Director
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Nathan Kim is currently a first-year medical student at the Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He graduated with a B.A. in Biological Sciences and minor in Computer Programming at the University of Southern California in 2024. During his gap year, he taught English to elementary students in Spain. Additionally, he has been a part of his college’s Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) chapter since he was a freshman as a chapter President, Vice President, and Finance Director, and now one of the West Region Directors. He enjoys learning languages, financial literacy, and hiking. After medical school, he aims to pursue a career in radiology and specialize in either neuroradiology or breast radiology.
Prudence (Abby) Regacho, West Region Director
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Abby Regacho is currently a first year medical student at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM). She was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to Indiana at age twelve. She is interested in the specialties emergency medicine or trauma surgery due to all the natural calamities she witnessed growing up in the Philippines. She completed her B.S. in Neurobiology and Physiology at Purdue University where she started her involvement with the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) as the president and founder of the Purdue Pre-Med chapter. Currently, she is the first-year representative at the TUNCOM chapter. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, pilates, and trying different restaurants and coffee shops in Vegas.
Teresa Anh Tran, West Region Director
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Teresa Tran is an MS3 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. As a previous board member for her local APAMSA chapter and a returning Region Director, she is so excited to continue supporting the AANHPI community through APAMSA. Outside her life as a medical student, she loves gaming with friends, staying active, and quality time with her cats. She’s looking forward to meeting all the wonderful people of APAMSA!
Carol Chen, West Region Director
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Carol Chen is currently a junior and will be a senior (2026-27) studying Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with minors in Biochemistry, Spanish, and Health and Human Values at the University of Arizona. Carol started her APAMSA journey three years ago at the University of Arizona Pre-Health APAMSA chapter. She has served on her local chapter executive board over these past couple of years, starting as an intern, then as the Director of Volunteer Outreach, and now as the President. She also served on National Board last term as one of the Region 7 Directors.
She is also part of Dr. Ying-Hui Chou’s Brain Imaging and TMS lab, where she investigates the applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, she serves as one of the Co-President for the Asian Pacific American Student Council, advocating for the best interests of the AANHPI community on campus. Outside of school, she enjoys rock climbing, crocheting, baking, traveling, painting, exploring cute cafes and restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.