1. What does this month mean to you?
It鈥檚 an opportunity to reflect on the societal progress we have made and also recognize the many issues we still face. We now have safer, more inclusive spaces and opportunities to share and celebrate a diversity of Asian cultures, but conscious and subconscious biases still persist.
2. Can you share a reflection on your experiences as an Asian individual in Family Medicine (or academia/healthcare)?
In academia and healthcare, I have fortunately worked in generally positive, culturally sensitive environments, for which I am grateful. Although I am aware that my experiences may differ greatly from recent immigrants or those from other countries.
3. What does meaningful representation and inclusion look like to you in our Department?
Meaningful representation means seeing Asian students, staff, and faculty across leadership and research. Featuring and celebrating individuals鈥� diverse work is a step forward in ensuring their perspectives are included in departmental decision-making.
4. What does Asian Heritage Month represent for you personally and professionally?
It鈥檚 an interesting question. I am a Chinese Canadian who grew up in Canada and never really celebrated this. The fact that we can even observe an entire month is novel to me, and I hope it is an opportunity for everyone to learn about the diverse cultural and historical differences among Asian countries. For me, this has been through documentaries, TV (always enjoyed Bourdain鈥檚 travels), and through cooking and trying new foods
5. What message would you like to share with the community this month?
I would encourage people not to assume a single 鈥楢sian experience鈥�, given the diverse languages and journeys of each person.
