June 2026: Pride Month
June 2026: Pride Month
From our APAMSA family to you: Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈✨
The intersection of being queer, Asian, and in medicine can carry layers of identity, resilience, generational complexity, and joy. This month, we’re celebrating and uplifting queer Asian voices in medicine by centering identity, visibility, and community across healthcare and medical education. We are here, and we matter!
We are launching the Queer Asian Health Equity Series, a programming series held throughout the year dedicated to exploring the intersections of queer Asian identity and health equity in medicine. Our first event in the series is the Queer Asian Voices in Medicine panel, featuring physicians and medical students discussing how their queer and Asian identities shape their journeys, professional development, and approaches to patient care.
A national needs assessment will be launched to better understand and advocate for queer Asian pre-medical and medical students. We want to hear from you!
We will also issue a call to queer Asian physicians to connect queer Asian pre-medical and medical students with mentorship opportunities.
Finally, we will launch our national “Queer Asian Stories in Medicine” digital storytelling project, open to submissions from all, highlighting lived experiences throughout the year.
Together, these initiatives aim to empower the next generation of queer Asian leaders in medicine. While these efforts begin in June in recognition of Pride Month, they will continue throughout the year to support ongoing celebration, visibility, and community-building. We encourage you to participate and engage with these efforts throughout the year.
June 3, 2026
We are launching the Queer Asian Health Equity Series, a programming series that will be held throughout the year dedicated to exploring the intersections of queer Asian identity and health equity in medicine.
Our first event in the series is the Queer Asian Voices in Medicine panel, featuring physicians and medical students discussing how their queer and Asian identities have shaped their journeys in medicine and approaches to patient care and leadership in healthcare. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with other queer Asians in medicine and engage in meaningful conversation and community-building.
Dr. Elaine Hsiang, Stanford Emergency Medicine Fellow
James Chua, APAMSA President, MS3
Audrey Lam, APAMSA LGBTQIA+ Director, MS3
Day: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 5 PM PT (8 PM ET)
June 8, 2026
This Pride Month, National APAMSA’s LGBTQIA+ Committee is highlighting Queer Asian Voices in Medicine, a year-long initiative inviting queer Asians in medicine and healthcare to share their stories and experiences.
We want to hear from you! Visit the link below to submit your story. The form will remain open year-round, but please submit by June 22nd to be featured during Pride Month.
June 15, 2026
National APAMSA’s LGBTQIA+ Committee is conducting this needs assessment to better understand the experiences, needs, interests, and priorities of queer Asian pre-medical and medical students. The goal of this survey is to guide future programming, educational content, advocacy efforts, mentorship opportunities, and community-building initiatives that are meaningful, inclusive, and representative of our members.
We want to hear from you! Visit the link below to complete the survey. Responses will be reviewed on a rolling monthly basis, but we encourage early submissions. Your responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide contact information.
Estimated completion time: 5-10 minutes
June 22, 2026
This Pride Month, National APAMSA’s LGBTQIA+ Committee is launching a Queer Asian Physician Mentorship Project to help queer Asian pre-health and medical students connect with physicians and trainees across specialties.
This directory is designed to support conversations around medicine, identity, career development, and community. Visit the link below to view the mentor list.
2026 Founders' Scholarship Award Winner
Momilani TupuTouro University Nevada
Momilani Tupu is a third-year medical student at Touro University Nevada with a focus on health equity and policy advocacy. She serves as a Student Representative on the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) Committee on Ethnically and Racially Underrepresented Populations in Medicine, where she works to address academic and career pipeline barriers for AANHPI students and physicians. At the local level, Momilani is an active member of the Ninth Island Aunties, coordinating food and hygiene assistance for underserved communities in the Las Vegas Valley. Her current research examines healthcare access among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Nevada, aiming to fill a critical data gap for the growing diaspora. Additionally, through the Clark County Medical Society, Momilani advocates for legislative efforts to disaggregate AANHPI data within medical systems. This work is centered on ensuring that health resources and government programs accurately reflect and serve the specific needs of diverse AANHPI populations.
May 2026: AANHPI Heritage Month
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.
April 2026: Bootcamp Series
April 2026: Bootcamp Series
Each bootcamp is a two-hour workshop led by residents and early-career attendings offering high-yield information to help with preparations for sub-internships and intern year. Many high-yield topics are also relevant to third-year medical students preparing for clerkships, making our Bootcamp Series valuable for a broad range of learners across the country (and even internationally).
April 4th, 2026
Kevin Hon, DO
Assistant Program Director
St. Barnabas Health
Rahul Kathard, MD
PGY-3
Temple University
Rodan Mecano, DO
PGY-3
William Beaumont University Hospital
Nguyen Lu, MD
Chief Resident
Boston Medical Center
Monette Veral, MD
Attending
UCLA
Katrina Alcantara, MD
PGY-1
UCI
Estelle Green, MD
PGY-2
Boston Children's Hospital
Jennifer Lin, MD
PGY-3
Weill Cornell Medicine
Joyce Lee, MD
PGY-2
UCLA
Athena Dong, MD
PGY-2
USC
Allison Zhong, MD
PGY-4
Mass General Brigham
April 9th, 2026
Christopher Wan, MD
PGY-1
Mount Sinai/ Morningside West
Poojajeet Khaira, MD
PGY-4
Case Western Reserve University-MetroHealth
Mary Shen, MD
PGY-4
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
April 11th, 2026
Nance Yuan, MD
Plastic Surgery
Attending
Private Practice
Arlene Zhou, DO
General Surgery
PGY-5
HUMC
Victoria Cegielski, MD
Ophthalmology
PGY-2
OHSU Casey Eye Institute
Frank Qian, MD, MPH
Cardiovascular Medicine Fellow
Boston Medical Center
Yoojin Kim, MD
Cardiovascular Disease Fellow
Duke University
Tej Ganti, MD
Attending
Indiana Regional Medical Center
Connie Lu, MD
Complex Planning Fellow
UIC
Cecilia Gambala, MD
MFM Attending
Tulane
April 12th, 2026
Jennifer Huang, MD, MEd
Attending
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
John Lu, MD
Attending
Private Practice
Dora Chen, MD
PGY-4
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Connie Ju, MD
Attending
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
April 18th, 2026
Suzanna Tom, MD
PGY-2
Temple Chestnut Hill
Cindy Jiao, MD
Attending
University of Rochester
Hiu Ying Joanna Choi, MD
Attending
Temple University
April 19th, 2026
Anke Wang, MD
Critical Care Fellow
Duke University
William Hsu, MD
Critical Care Attending
Albany Medical Center
Chelsea Wu, MD
Medicine Attending
Baylor Medicine
Ramya Sampath, MD
PGY-3
Yale School of Medicine
Mingqian Lin, MD
PGY-2
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals
Spenser Chen, MD
PGY-3
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Tiffany Hu, MD
Geriatrics Fellow
Yale School of Medicine
Alumni of the Year Award 2026
This award honors her enthusiastic participation in the APAMSA Alumni Advisory Board, commitment to AANHPI research, and dedication to mentoring APAMSA students.
Lindy Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Oncology and Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. She is a child of immigrants and the first in her family to pursue a post-bachelor’s degree. Dr. Zhang completed her medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine with distinction in clinical research and her pediatrics residency at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. She then pursued a pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship at the combined Johns Hopkins-National Cancer Institute program. During her fellowship, she received additional translational research training by completing a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on NF1-associated tumors and the application of molecularly targeted therapies. Her academic interest is to define the interactions between molecularly targeted agents and the tumor immune microenvironment in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) and establish the potential role of immune-based therapies in novel therapeutic combinations. In addition, Dr. Zhang is passionate about diversity and inclusion in academic medicine. Her medical education research focuses on Asian American representation and experiences of microaggression and discrimination in medical school.
To read more about the APAMSA Alumni of the Year Award, click here.
Questions? Please reach out to strategy@apamsa.org.
National Conference Menstrual Health Drive
Questions? Please reach out to women@apamsa.org.
More Op-Eds Coming Soon!
The APAMSA Op-Ed Series provides members with an accessible platform to share perspectives on medicine, advocacy, identity, and health equity. This initiative is designed to lower barriers to publication by offering clear submission guidelines, editorial support, and opportunities for mentorship throughout the writing process.
Op-eds may be written by national board members or general APAMSA members and are intended to amplify diverse voices while producing a polished, publishable piece. Selected submissions may be featured on the APAMSA website and shared through organizational channels, allowing contributors to engage meaningfully with APAMSA while gaining a tangible scholarly and advocacy-related product for their CVs.
Stay tuned for new op-ed pieces coming soon!
2026-2027 APAMSA National Board Elections Launch
The deadline for interested candidates to apply is Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. Please see below for instructions on how to apply.
1. Join APAMSA: In order to run for a position on National Board, you MUST be an official paying APAMSA member. If you have not yet joined, you can join before applying.
2. Read Instructions: For complete instructions, general rules, FAQ, detailed descriptions of National Board structure, and available positions, please refer to our 2026-27 Election Pamphlet.
3. Join Our Open House: Attend one open house event (for new national board applicants or returning applicants appealing a strike) or an Executive Board (EB) meeting (for new EB applicants). See full details on website.
4. Submit Form: All campaign materials should be uploaded and submitted through our Google Form. Your application will be reviewed by the 2026-27 Elections Committee before it is published.
Questions? Please reach out to elections@apamsa.org.
Response to Mass Shooting at Brown University
On December 13, 2025, a shooting at Brown University claimed the lives of two students and left nine other students injured, with some victims in critical but stable condition. This marks the 75th school shooting incident and the 43rd shooting at a university this year alone. We mourn for the lives lost and extend our support to the victims affected by this tragedy.
National APAMSA strongly denounces all gun violence and remains steadfast in our commitment and desire for comprehensive federal, state, and municipal gun control policies as mentioned in our previous statements and in our policy compendium. We, at APAMSA, recognize gun violence as a preventable health crisis and urge legislators to institute stricter gun control measures.
Measures such as standardizing and closing loopholes in background checks for firearms and increasing funding for mental health programs can be implemented to address root causes of gun violence. Although the 2023 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act has stipulated over $1 billion for improving student mental health, recent administration changes have greatly reduced how that money gets dispersed, denying much-needed mental health professional development grants for colleges and universities. Like disease management, we urge policymakers to focus on evidence-based approaches that have been shown to reduce deaths from gun violence.
In the wake of this recent act of violence, many students may be experiencing fear, grief, numbness, or distress. These reactions are normal, and you do not have to navigate them alone. Support is available both on campus and through culturally affirming, confidential resources listed below.
For Brown University Students:
Brown University Emergency Services
- Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Services: 401-863-3476
- Public Safety Management: 401-863-4111
- Administrator On Call (AOC): 401-863-3322
Brown University Student Services
- Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS): 401-863-3476
- Free virtual care services for all currently enrolled students
- BWell (Brown Wellness): Online appointment here
- A confidential campus resource for students offering wellness check-ins, trauma-informed support, and help navigating care options after distressing events.
- TimelyCare: More information here
- Brown has partnered with TimelyCare to provide free therapy services to actively enrolled students
- Free access up to 12 teletherapy sessions per year & unlimited access to a library of wellness videos
- Chaplain & Spiritual Support: More information here
- Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life (OCRL) aims to make available pastoral care and advice for students, staff, faculty, and alumni
- Bereavement Group
- When: Mondays @ 7:30PM
- Where: Room 411 of Page-Robinson
- Student Support Services (SSS): More information here
- Contact for either oneself or one’s peers to access collaborative assistance between University staff and the community to provide thoughtful individualized support during complex factors contributing to a student’s distress.
- Contact for either oneself or one’s peers to access collaborative assistance between University staff and the community to provide thoughtful individualized support during complex factors contributing to a student’s distress.
City of Providence Resources
- The Providence Center’s Center for Child and Adolescent Services:
- Open from 8:00AM – 4:30PM (Monday-Friday)
- Family Service RI Crisis Line: 401-854-6678
- Offers counseling and support services for anyone in the community.
- Available for home visits or virtual counseling
- United Way of Rhode Island 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1
- Free and confidential information on mental and physical healthcare, housing, food, and emergency services available in the area
- Open 24/7/365
24/7 Emergency Hotlines
Key reminder: If someone is in immediate danger or talking about harming themselves or others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988 for trained crisis counselors
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
- Immediate emotional support after trauma/violent events
- Asian LifeNet Hotline: 1-877-990-8585
- A free, 24/7 hotline for those in distress. Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Fujianese offered
- Trevor LifeLine: 1-866-488-7386
- Confidential crisis intervention and suicide prevention aimed for LGBTQ+
Counseling & Support Services
General AANHPI Mental Health Counseling Resources
- Physician Support Line: 1-888-409-0141 (7 days/week, 8am-1am EST)
- Free confidential support for medical students and physicians from 600+ volunteer psychiatrists. No appointment necessary
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Region-based therapist directory focused on AAPI mental health
- Asians for Mental Health Directory
- Mental health provider directory for AANHPI community (for all 50 states and Washington D.C.)
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
- Resource list, mental health and behavioral services directory, and blog for AANHPI folks
- South Asian Public Health Association – Mental Health Resources
- Resources for South Asian mental health (organizations, peer support, and provider directories)
AANHPI X LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources
- The Trevor Project
- Support and crisis services for LGBTQ+ folks in need of mental health support
- Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians
- Free and confidential support for South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals
- National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) – Healer Network and Therapy Resources List
- API therapists and healers for LGBTQ+ individuals
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)
- Healing justice resources for QTPOC
Self-Care Resources
- SAMHSA – Coping After Traumatic Events
- Evidence-based strategies for emotional regulation after trauma
- NIMH – Taking Care of Your Mental Health After a Traumatic Event
- Self-Care Assessment Worksheet and Plan
For a more extensive list, please visit https://www.apamsa.org/mental-health-initiative/ and look under Mental Health Resources.
Please feel free to reach out to mentalhealth@apamsa.org if you would like to talk and we will work together on how APAMSA can best support you and your chapter.
Authors: David Kim, Mia Park, Brian Leung
Signed: Region I Director, Brian Vu and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University APAMSA Chapter Co-Presidents, Jerome Dovan and Sophia Dutton
For questions regarding this statement, please reach out to Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org.
For local support, please contact the Region I Directors, Brian Vu and Stephanie Lam, at region1@apamsa.org.
December Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Dr. Steven Chen
Questions? Please reach out to our Professional Development Director, Annie Nguyen, at professionaldev@apamsa.org.