Response to Police Assault of Lich Vu
On October 27, 2024, 71-year-old Lich Vu was brutally assaulted by police during an arrest in Oklahoma City, which resulted in severe injuries requiring hospitalization. Body camera footage released by the Oklahoma City Police Department reveals a language barrier between the officer and Vu, who is Vietnamese and speaks English as a second language. The incident brings to light dual issues of police brutality and increased violence against Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities in the wake of COVID-19.
National APAMSA strongly condemns the assault on Lich Vu and reaffirms our stance against police brutality and violence against AANHPI communities, as discussed in previous statements. Police violence is not only a criminal justice issue, it is also a public health crisis. The immediate physical harm inflicted in such incidents is accompanied by long-term psychological and emotional consequences, not only for the individuals directly affected but also for their families and communities. For elderly individuals like Vu, these effects are compounded by the vulnerability that comes with age and the challenges many immigrants face in navigating systems that often fail to protect them.
The health of our communities is deeply intertwined with how institutions like law enforcement uphold—or undermine—public safety and trust. Yet, these harms are preventable, and addressing them requires systemic change. Accountability must be pursued at every level to ensure justice and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Our thoughts are with Lich Vu and his loved ones as they recover from this traumatic event. We continue to urge community leaders, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action to ensure accountability and enact reforms that prioritize the safety and dignity of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Written by Hugo Zhou and Nataliyah Tahir.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Nataliyah Tahir at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Navigating the Intersectional Bamboo and Glass Ceilings: Empowering Asian American Women in Medical Leadership
Leadership is crucial in medicine, yet it often takes a backseat to technical and academic training. For underrepresented groups in medicine, additional challenges including historical discrimination and stereotypes hinder leadership development even further. Asian Americans in medical leadership are impacted by the phenomenon called the “bamboo ceiling,” which refers to the multifaceted challenges (ranging from cultural differences, systemic bias, ingrained stereotypes, and lack of role models) that prevent Asian Americans from achieving leadership positions. More specifically, Asian American women in particular are challenged by a double ceiling effect by having to overcome both the bamboo ceiling and the glass ceiling (social barrier that prevents women from workforce advancement).
Initially, we wrote these five tips to help Asian American women at any stage of their career to navigate the challenges in developing leadership skills and promoting inclusivity in medical leadership. However, we believe these tips are helpful for all individuals, especially those underrepresented in medicine, looking to advance their leadership skills and enhance allyship in medicine.
Tip 1 – Practice public speaking
Every time I am about to present my patient, no matter how effectively I have pre-charted, my heart rate rises and my hands get clammy. After speaking to some of my residents, I realized the fear of public speaking is nearly universal. And while TEDx speakers seem calm and collected, I have learned that hours of practice and coaching produce those talks we enjoy watching.
Public speaking is a skill that takes time to develop. Take advantage of everyday opportunities, like teaching medical students or presenting at noon conferences or journal clubs, to become more comfortable in front of an audience. Raising the volume of your voice and straightening your posture can also project an air of confidence. Ultimately, what helps calm me down the most is imagining myself having a conversation with a friend and telling a story – about a patient, physiological processes, research – and it becomes more manageable.
Tip 2 – Identify mentors, build relationships, and network with others
Becoming a leader does not only involve yourself; the process humbly involves a team of people who invest in and support your endeavors. Finding your team may seem daunting with various clinical environments, hierarchies in medicine, or perhaps feeling shy or burdensome when approaching potential mentors. However, one such skill to build your network is through learning how to engage in conversations with people from all walks of life. To start, ask about others’ interests and backgrounds to explore commonalities unveiled through conversation. We also find it easy to stimulate discussions with questions such as, “What is an exciting project you are working on?” or “What are your thoughts on [blank] event?”. We also recommend preparing a short 30-second elevator pitch of yourself (your educational background, interests, and goals) to use in the appropriate settings. These conversations may not seem natural at first. However, by practicing with each social opportunity you may have, you will feel more comfortable to humbly approach others and form new relationships.
One fortuitous experience I had was going to a medical conference across the country initially not knowing anyone. I remember grabbing a bagel from the breakfast station and saw another woman sitting nearby and eating alone. I decided to strike up a conversation in hopes of building a connection and friendship. We became friends and, to this day (although living many miles apart), have continued to support one another while working on projects and holding leadership roles in the same Asian American organization.
Tip 3 – Resolve conflicts when necessary
When it comes to conflict resolution, many individuals may struggle with the internal monologue, “Do I speak up? Or, do I keep my head down and stay quiet?” On one hand, many – especially Asian American women – have grown up with the virtue of humility, to “not rock the boat” and take a back seat. However, learning the art of conflict resolution is important and necessary to not only pave the wave for smooth relationships but also can influence team dynamics in the future. Here are some steps that I take to ease my stress before I manage conflict:
- Address the issue early
- Find the right place and right time to converse honestly with the other party
- Use AEIOU (Acknowledge, Express, Identify, Outcome, Understanding)
- I find it helpful to use “I feel/think…” statements to clarify how I feel I have been impacted. Use non-defensive phrases like “I would like…” instead of “I want…”.
- Overall, I try to keep a calm mind and separate the person from the problem.
Tip 4 – Ask for what you deserve and be aware that negotiation is a process
While negotiating a salary may seem more relevant after residency, try to consistently check in with yourself on your short-term and long-term career goals to see if the trajectory you are on will meet them. Also, understand that business is not always a meritocracy. You may be a diligent and hard worker, but you may be selling yourself short by not asking for the compensation or promotions you deserve.
Some actionable items that you can consider doing are recognizing the skills you bring to a team and the deliverables you have produced. Do research on the current job market to know the ballpark range you should be negotiating within. And be patient, as negotiation is a dance between two parties and takes time. Bottom line: Ask or you don’t get, and do not sign the first contract you see!
Tip 5 – Find your work style and that of your colleagues
Understanding you and your colleagues’ work styles can help improve synergy between one another. While there are multiple personality assessment tools, I like to use the “Five-Factor model of personality”, which helps ascertain how you score on each of the Big Five (OCEAN: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) personality traits. Finding your work style is important for self-reflection. It can be invaluable in knowing your boundaries, especially when it comes to learning when to say “yes” and how to say “no.” And, personality tests can be used as a team-building exercise. As a peer, knowing your colleagues’ work styles can be essential to learn how to collaborate effectively with one another. As a leader, learning your colleagues’ work styles can help assign team roles, set expectations, leverage strengths, and cater to individual work styles.
Conclusion
To the AAWM and individuals reading these tips, we hope that these tips and references provide great resources to help you succeed in your medical career and develop your personal leadership style. Ultimately, we hope that the medical community can come together to break through systemic barriers and cultivate diverse, equitable leadership that enhances patient care and drives positive healthcare outcomes.
Written by APAMSA National Board Members: Sonia K. Scallon, MD; Ellis Jang, BS; Victoria V. Nguyen, BS; Sunny S. Park, MD, MPH; Cynthia X. Pan, MD
A prescription from the next generation of doctors: Vote early
As future medical professionals, we see the real-life consequences of political decisions in emergency rooms, hospitals, and clinics. Despite a growing recognition that voting is directly linked to better health outcomes, however, health professionals are voting at lower rates than the national average. It’s time that we make a change this election.
We see patients denied essential services due to bureaucratic hurdles, such as insurance coverage gaps for life-saving medications or underfunded social and mental health service programs. As medical students and leaders of health in our communities, we have a responsibility to vote—not just for ourselves but for the people we serve.
The American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes voting as a social determinant of health. Communities with higher voter turnout often experience better health outcomes, yet many health care providers, including medical students, face challenges in turning out to vote. Busy schedules, unexpected emergencies, and the demands of our profession can create real barriers. We must break this cycle, and the remedy is early voting. By casting our ballots ahead of time, we can ensure that our voices are heard to better the health of our communities and patients.
Many of us have celebrated our family members finally gaining citizenship, only to see them struggle within a health care system full of obstacles. These are not isolated incidents; they reflect the broader experiences of disinvested communities whose voice at the ballot box can have a meaningful impact. The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities face the brunt of harmful anti-immigrant narratives, echoing xenophobic sentiments that have long afflicted our communities that contribute to social isolation and negative health outcomes.
Yet, AANHPI advocacy has a rich history in the United States—from Japanese American activist Yuri Kochiyama, who fought for civil rights alongside Black leaders, to Native Hawaiian scholar Haunani-Kay Trask, who advocated for Indigenous sovereignty. In honoring their legacies, we recognize that voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape healthier communities and, in turn, a healthier democracy.
At the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), the largest student organization of AANHPI medical students and pre-medical students, we’ve made civic engagement a priority this year. Partnering with the non-partisan, non-profit organization Vot-ER we’ve implemented training among our over 4,000 members and participated in programs to help medical professionals get ready to vote and help their patients to vote. Today, we are calling on medical students and professionals, particularly within the AANHPI community and beyond, to close our voter turnout gap by voting early.
Health is always on the ballot, and this election provides a critical opportunity to create a health care system that works for everyone. By voting early, we take an essential first step toward realizing that vision of healthier and more equitable communities. Our role as future physicians extends beyond the clinic walls. During this election season, we must show up—not just for ourselves, but also for our patients and communities. Let’s ensure that our voices are heard by voting early in this and every election.
Make your early voting plan today.
Alexander Le, Annie Yao, and Victoria Shi are medical students.
Find the original posted OpEd here.
Statement on the Apalachee High School Shooting
On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, those at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, witnessed a shooting that took the lives of four individuals and injured nine more. This is the 385th mass shooting and the 45th school shooting of the year in the country.
APAMSA remains staunchly opposed to gun violence (Resolution 40.006) and demands stricter gun control, and yet again emphatically states that there is a need for gun reform and control to prevent such acts from occurring. Underaged individuals, especially those with a history of threatening a mass shooting, should not be able to obtain assault weapons. We urge legislators to keep this pressing issue in mind as the 2024 election draws closer, to prioritize their commitment to such reform, and to listen to the voices of their grieving constituents.
We mourn with the nation for the lives lost and interrupted by this tragedy. We offer our support to those affected and we encourage you to reach out if there are specific ways in which we can assist you.
For local support, please contact the Region 4 directors at region4@apamsa.org.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Nataliyah Tahir at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
National APAMSA Condemns Violent Suppression of Student Protests on College Campuses
On April 18th, 2024, the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested over 100 peaceful student protestors at Columbia University’s “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” in response to orders by university President Nemat Minouche Shafik. The arrests have ignited a nationwide movement of college students setting up similar encampments to protest US support for Israeli military action in Gaza and to call for divestment of school endowments from corporations that profit from war.
Alarmingly, however, college administrators have continued to escalate against peaceful student protests with violent police suppression, disproportionate disciplinary action, and undue censorship. Administrator-ordered police intervention on several campuses has led to more than 800 arrests of students nationally, with many police officers using excessive force. At the University of Texas at Austin, Governor Greg Abbott called on state troopers clad in riot gear to stop peaceful student demonstrations, while at Emory University police officers and state troopers reportedly used pepper spray, rubber bullets and tear gas on students, tased attendees, and wrestled faculty to the ground. Since November 2023, administrators have employed multiple intimidation tactics to censor pro-Palestinian voices, including suspending students to facilitate police arrests, banning student chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and even terminating physicians-in-training from residency programs.
National APAMSA condemns the brutal crackdown on academic freedom and free speech on college campuses across the country. We support statements made by organizations such as Asian Texans for Justice, Rise AAPI, Emgage Action, Stop AAPI Hate, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Human Rights Watch (HRW). As a national medical student organization whose mission is rooted in principles of health advocacy, we stand in solidarity with all students exercising their constitutional right to free speech to advocate for human rights. As stated in a previous statement, National APAMSA unequivocally upholds the value of human life everywhere. We remain committed in our demand for a sustained humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in light of the thousands of innocent lives lost, numerous attacks on healthcare workers and facilities, and restricted access to humanitarian aid.
We call on college administrators to resist political pressures to censor student voices and instead uphold academic freedom––encouraging students to engage in civil discourse on campuses without fear of punitive and disproportionate punishment. Removing peaceful protests using police violence under the guise of improving campus safety further endangers students and creates hostile learning environments. Reiterating previous statements, we likewise continue to condemn accounts of anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia reported amid the protests.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Nataliyah Tahir at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Response to Proposed EDUCATE Act (H.R. 7725)
On March 19, 2024, Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) introduced the Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act (H.R. 7725) to Congress. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-329) to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving federal funding, including student loans and federal research grants, if such schools adopt policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These policies include the maintenance of DEI offices and affinity groups, as well as the use of diversity statements. Rep. Murphy, the author of the bill and a practicing urologist, claims that DEI is a divisive and discriminatory philosophy that undermines medical education and results in a less qualified physician force. The bill comes amid an alarming nationwide political assault on DEI, as more than 80 bills restricting or regulating DEI in higher education have been introduced in 28 states and the US Congress since 2023.
As an organization committed to addressing the unique health challenges of AANHPI communities, National APAMSA condemns the EDUCATE Act and will continue to support DEI policies in healthcare and health professions education alongside leading medical associations from across the country. APAMSA affirms that DEI neither exists in opposition to merit, nor does it jeopardize the quality of medical education––these are myths propagated to fuel a political agenda. While by no means perfect, campus DEI structures provide physicians in training the tools to address the health needs of an increasingly diverse population, providing learning environments that help students from various backgrounds overcome implicit biases that contribute to disparities in treatment and health outcomes. The evidence is abundantly clear: diversity in healthcare improves patient outcomes, and in effect creates a more qualified physician force.
National APAMSA unequivocally supports DEI initiatives in our policy compendium (Resolution 40.002) and in recent statements. Attacks on DEI in medical education clearly contradict a core tenet of our mission. We therefore reiterate our opposition to the EDUCATE Act and urge legislators to oppose HR 7725.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Nataliyah Tahir at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Calling for a Humanitarian Truce in Gaza
Since the first attacks on October 7th, 2023, Gaza has been embroiled in a devastating conflict as tensions that have been mounting for many decades have erupted in these most recent tragedies. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives, and countless more have had to flee their homes for fear of further death and destruction. In light of these tragic developments, the United Nations General Assembly called for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza on October 27th. The vast majority of the delegates chose to adopt the resolution with a 120-14 vote. In the midst of the ongoing military conflict, their resolution emphasizes the need to support and care for the millions who lack access to food, water, medicine, and fuel. The resolution also calls for all parties to honor international humanitarian law, especially with regard to the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel, and humanitarian facilities, such as hospitals and schools.
We at National APAMSA unequivocally uphold the value of human life everywhere, and we join the U.N. General Assembly in demanding that it be protected at all costs. We firmly assert that civilian lives must not be jeopardized, even in the midst of a military conflict, and we strongly urge for a humanitarian truce to be enacted. We affirm the statement of the Committee of Interns and Residents in emphasizing that as members of the medical profession, we are committed to maintaining the health and safety of every person regardless of background. No civilians on any side of the conflict should have to face the fear of death or have their access to the necessities of life threatened, and we commend the healthcare workers who have been caring for the sick and injured even at the risk of their own lives.
Moreover, we recognize and likewise condemn the ways in which the conflict has led to an increase in racially motivated hate crimes against both Jewish and Muslim people in the United States. As stated in our most recent Official Statement, we stand against all instances of racial hate crimes and violence within our communities. Relevantly, we also reaffirm Resolution 20.002 of our Policy Compendium: that we support and uphold the importance of refugee and migrant health and safety, both within and outside our national borders.
We are aware of the recent developments in which Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day truce starting on November 23rd, 2023. However, the truce would entail an exchange of only a limited number of hostages; it does not itself indicate a definitive end to this present conflict.
We therefore maintain our call for a ceasefire to be established and for unrestricted humanitarian aid to be provided to all who have been affected by the conflict, and we urge our community members to join us in contacting local government representatives and legislators to raise their own voices to this end. Please reach out to your local regional director or the National APAMSA Mental Health Director at mentalhealth@apamsa.org. You can find our list of additional supportive resources here.
If you have questions about the statement, please reach out to the Rapid Response Director at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Statement on the Illinois Stabbing
On October 14th, 2023, 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was killed and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, was critically wounded in a horrific stabbing by their landlord, allegedly because they were Muslim. Having moved to Illinois only 2 years ago, the Muslim Palestinian family has been devastated by what is now being investigated as a potential hate crime, as the authorities believe this attack was likely connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted just a week prior.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has shaken the world with the tragedies that have arisen from it. There are no winners in war, and we at National APAMSA grieve for all those who have lost so much and suffered so greatly from it. Indeed, increased reports of hate and violent threats against both Muslim and Jewish communities across the country have been pouring forth in just the past few days. We lament how the eruption of this conflict has sparked such hate and violence, and we condemn all acts of racially targeted attacks.
We strive to protect and uphold the health and safety of all our communities, and we absolutely do not tolerate any threats to those values. As news coverage continues to focus on this most pressing issue, we urge those in political offices and the media to proceed with caution so as not to inflame already mounting tensions that may exacerbate threats of violence. APAMSA condemns all forms of racism, and we look to our country’s leaders to do the same.
We offer our deepest condolences to Al-Fayoume’s family and all those in the Muslim and Arab American communities, and we hope Shahin will recover soon.
For questions about the statement, please contact Eric Kim at rapidresponse@apamsa.org. For local support, please contact the Region 6 Directors at region6@apamsa.org.
Statement on the Treatment of Jaahnavi Kandula
On January 23rd of 2023, 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula was struck and killed by a police officer’s vehicle that was responding to a “priority one” call. A Master’s student of Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, Kandula had immigrated from India, where her single mother was an elementary school teacher and had taken on financial debt to support the move. Yet the tragedy of her story has only grown as recently released footage revealed the manner in which vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, Dan Auderer, had responded to the incident. In it, Auderer is heard laughing while discussing Kandula’s death, finally quipping, “Just write a check… yeah, $11,000. She was 26 anyway, she had limited value.”
It is difficult to describe the horror and anger that naturally arise upon listening to Auderer’s callous behavior. Not merely in virtue of Kandula’s talent and potential, but as a human being deserving of dignity and respect, she deserves far more than to be laughed at so flippantly. We at National APAMSA are horrified with Auderer’s actions, and we call upon the Office of Police Accountability to conduct its investigation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. We demand that justice be brought to the situation for the sake of Kandula’s memory and her family. We cannot stand idly by and allow the dehumanization and diminishment of members of our AANHPI community go unpunished.
We offer our sincerest condolences to Kandula’s loved ones, who had to suffer from not only the loss of someone so dear to them, but also the insult and disrespect from those that are ostensibly there to protect and serve our communities. We urge other AANHPI communities to join us in our condemnation of these disturbing developments. We also urge organizations associated with or otherwise involved in this nation’s police force to fight for robust and just accountability practices for police officers throughout our communities.
If you have any questions or concerns about the statement, please contact Eric Kim at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Statement on the Jacksonville Shooting
On Saturday, August 26th, Jacksonville, Florida bore witness to the latest of violent hate crimes when a white man killed three Black people before killing himself. The police have since established that the attack was a racially motivated hate crime; the shooter’s guns were marked with swastikas, and his laptop contained “more than 20 pages of racist writings.” This most recent tragedy now joins the long procession of racially-motivated gun-related attacks that have occurred over the past few years. We at National APAMSA lament the fact that we have had to respond with such frequency to these horrifying and racist acts. We grieve for the victims and their loved ones, and we reiterate in no uncertain terms our staunch opposition to the lack of gun control in this country.
The prevalence of firearms not only poses a public health threat to our communities, but it also serves as a means for racism to manifest in the most heartbreaking of ways. We urge our legislators to reckon with how pressing the need is for gun reform, and we encourage all those who were affected to reach out for support as needed.
For questions about the statement, please contact Eric Kim at rapidresponse@apamsa.org. For local support, please contact the Region 4 Directors at region4@apamsa.org.