In this episode of White Coats and Rice, APAMSA Podcast Committee member and host Kevin Gaw sits down with Dr. Vivienne Hau, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine and a surgical vitreoretinal specialist, for a reflective conversation on leadership, identity, and legacy in medicine.

Dr. Hau shares her journey through APAMSA—founding her medical school’s chapter at the University of Arizona, serving as Region VII Director, and later leading the organization as National President in 2001—while reflecting on how student advocacy continues to shape her work as a physician and mentor. The conversation also explores Dr. Hau’s experiences as a transgender woman in medicine, her path into ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery, and her perspective on building a more inclusive and sustainable future for both patients and providers.

For listeners who would like to continue the conversation or reach out, Dr. Hau can be contacted at [email protected]

TIMESTAMPS

(00:06) Introduction

(03:08) Medicine, Career, & Growth

(20:30) History in APAMSA

(24:36) Leadership in APAMSA

(34:33) Intersectionality: Transgender, Asian American, Physician

(48:12) Advocacy, Leadership, & Reflection

(59:59) Closing Remarks

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-8

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This episode was produced by Kevin Gaw, hosted by Kevin Gaw, and graphic by Callista Wu.

Welcome back to White Coats and Rice's new series: South Asian Health in Lens (SAHIL) 🧡✨, where we delve into critical topics in South Asian health, ranging from advocacy to cultural competency with distinguished healthcare leaders.

In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Nilay Shah, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Mediators of Atherosclerosis of South Asians Living in America (MASALA) 2G Study. Dr. Shah has dedicated his research focus on strategies to preserve cardiovascular health in communities at high risk, including South Asian Americans. Recognized for his contributions to clinical advancement and cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Shah applies his expertise to shed light on cardiovascular health and social determinants of health.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:25) Dr. Shah's journey into cardiology and South Asian health research

(05:06) Introduction to the MASALA study

(08:40) Moving beyond "why" in research

(17:03) Personal connection to MASALA and community engagement

(25:26) Understanding stress and its impact on health behaviors

(30:39) Dietary recommendations and nuances

(36:19) Common health misconceptions in the South Asian community

(44:20) Advice for South Asian medical students

(50:02) Closing remarks

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/apamsa-podcast

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, hosted by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, edited by Grace Kim, and graphic by Callista Wu.

In this Pre-Health Series episode of White Coats and Rice, APAMSA Pre-Health Directors and hosts Angeline Yu and Ryesa Mansoor sit down with Livy Nguyen, a senior at Temple University currently applying to medical school, and Tiffany Trinh, a second-year osteopathic medical student at Rocky Vista University. Together, they share thoughtful and candid reflections and lessons from their pre-med and medical journeys: navigating tough coursework and finding mentorship to handling gap years, choosing the right school, and adapting to medical training.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:05) Episode Introduction

(01:09) Speaker Introductions

(03:02) Finding Your Path to Medicine

(04:57) Deciding Your College Major

(05:48) Handling Difficult Pre-Med Courses

(08:10) Extracurriculars

(10:28) Reflections About the Med School Application Process

(15:02) Finding and Maintaining Mentorship

(21:13) Gap Year Experience as a Medical Assistant

(25:45) What Surprised You About Medical School

(28:21) Choosing a Medical School

(33:38) Differences between College and Medical School

(36:30) Closing Remarks & Advice for Future Healthcare Students

(41:00) Outro

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-applying-to-medical-school

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Angeline Yu, Ryesa Mansoor and Kevin Gaw, hosted by Angeline Yu and Ryesa Mansoor, and graphic by Callista Wu.

This episode features Carol Chen, a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Arizona – Tucson and one of National APAMSA's Region VII Directors! Carol began her journey with the University of Arizona Pre-Health APAMSA chapter as an intern, later serving as Director of Volunteer Outreach, and now leads the chapter as President.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Early Life and Cultural Identity

05:55 Joining APAMSA and Finding Community in Arizona

15:06 Developing Leadership Drive

19:59 Serving on National Board

22:03 Leadership Challenges and Growth

25:06 Career Aspirations and Research

31:19 Mentorship and Role Models

34:24 Imposter Syndrome

37:30 Looking Ahead

41:52 Hobbies and Finding Balance

44:39 Closing Remarks and Outro

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/episode-5-coming-10-27

FOLLOW APAMSA

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Kevin Gaw and Xueying Zheng, hosted by Kevin Gaw, and graphic by Callista Wu.

This episode of White Coats & Rice is a fun, informal conversation featuring Dr. Jhemon Lee, one of the original founders of APAMSA and currently a radiologist at UCI Health. Recorded from part of National APAMSA's Interbranch Week, this was a unique opportunity to connect with a trailblazer in AANHPI medical student leadership, ask candid questions, and gain insights into our own journeys in medicine.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:27) Dr. Lee’s Current Life

(03:46) A Day in the Life of a Diagnostic Radiologist

(06:36) Journey to Medicine and Specialty Choice (Radiology)

(10:14) East Coast to West Coast

(13:17) The Choice for Private Practice vs. Academics

(16:51) Balancing Being a Radiologist and Business Owner

(20:12) Advice for Students on Private Practice

(22:20) Improv Comedy

(28:30) The "Yes, And" Mentality and Support Systems

(30:13) Co-Founding APAMSA

(35:45) APAMSA's Greatest Potential for Impact

(38:43) Rapid Question: Advice to Your Younger Self

(40:27) Hopes for the Next Generation of AANHPI Physicians

(43:40) The Billboard Lesson and Closing

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/ama-with-dr-jhemon-lee

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Annie Nguyen and Elton Tong, hosted by Elton Tong, and graphic by Callista Wu.

Introducing White Coats and Rice's new series: South Asian Health in Lens (SAHIL)! In SAHIL, we delve into critical topics in South Asian health, ranging from advocacy to cultural competency with distinguished healthcare leaders.

In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Malathi Srinivasan, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and Associate Director at the Stanford Center for Asian Healthcare Research and Education (also known as Stanford CARE). Dr. Srinivasan brings her skills as an educator, physician, health services researcher, and entrepreneur to shed light on crucial topics in South Asian health, including cruical health trends, preventative health for South Asians, and Stanford CARE's efforts in researching Asian health.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:27) Dr. Srinivasan’s early life and immigrant childhood

(04:23) Discovering identity and path to medicine

(07:15) Journey into Asian health research

(09:03) Common misconceptions: the model minority myth

(13:41) Lifestyle choices for South Asian health

(18:50) Pharmacogenomics and South Asian patients

(24:17) Nutrition, diet myths, and healthy adjustments

(37:17) Screening guidelines for South Asians

(40:50) Building trust and rapport with South Asian patients

(47:37) Opportunities to get involved with Stanford CARE

(51:18) Advice for South Asian medical students

(54:19) Finding supportive mentors

(58:28) Audience question: relying on professors in residency

(01:01:09) Closing

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-3

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth and Grace Kim, hosted by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, and graphic by Callista Wu.

Join us for an episode in the Women in Medicine series with Dr. Monica Soni! Dr. Monica Soni is one of the youngest Chief Medical Officers at Covered California, a board-certified practicing Internal Medicine physician, and a leading voice for innovation, equity, and representation in healthcare. As a Black and South Asian woman, she is redefining what care looks like by leading with empathy and advancing a more inclusive, accessible, and community-centered system. In this episode, we discuss her own journey and work as well as her advice for rising physicans.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:09) About Dr. Monica Soni

(02:54) Meet the patient

(06:29) Navigating the patient interaction

(08:26) Intersectionality of identity 

(11:24) Medical school experience

(13:56) Covered California

(15:50) Working with the community

(18:30) Barrier to accessing communities

(20:10) Balancing physicianship with other responsibilities

(22:07) How can we integrate into the community

(25:18) Scarcity mindset

(26:58) Optimism

(30:09) Beyond Covered

(34:02) Expanding outside of California

(36:15) Advice to younger POC women

(37:57) What keeps you grounded?

(38:59) Mentorship (Creating a healthy mentee-mentor role or relationship)

(43:55) Closing remarks

(46:35) How to connect

(47:27) Closing

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-2

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Eujung Park and Kevin Gaw, hosted by Eujung Park, and graphic by Callista Wu.

James Chua is rising third-year medical student at Touro Nevada and APAMSA's 2025-2026 National President. In this episode, James shares his vision and highlights serving APAMSA, insight into his premedical/medical journey, and overall life experiences that led him to his current goals, values, and passion for psychiatry.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(02:42) How James got involved in APAMSA

(08:47) James’s vision for APAMSA

(12:47) James’s mother’s story

(21:08) Why psychiatry

(25:40) James’s identity

(31:06) APAMSA highlights and challenges

(34:42) Get to know James!

(40:20) Keroppi obsession?

(45:55) Rapid-fire: this or that

(53:49) Closing

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-1

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Xueying (Ying) Zheng and Grace Kim, hosted by Xueying (Ying) Zheng, and graphic by Callista Wu.

KAN-WIN is a culturally specific nonprofit organization based in the Chicago area that serves Asian immigrant and Asian American survivors of gender-based violence. In this Women in Medicine Series episode, Abbey Zhu from KAN-WIN discusses the services KAN-WIN provides, challenges that AANHPI survivors of violence face, and how health care providers can learn and provide trauma-informed care for their patients.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction to Women in Medicine Conversations: Abbey Zhu from KAN-WIN

(00:55) Introduction to Abbey Zhu and KAN-WIN

(02:21) Unique Challenges for AANHPI Survivors of Violence When Seeking Support

(06:11) How to Start Conversations with the Community

(11:32) Creating a Safe Space for Patients

(15:18) Recommended Trainings to Learn Trauma-Informed Care

(17:55) Misconceptions About Trauma and Its Impact On Patients’ Health

(21:19) Policies to Improve Trauma-Informed Care

(24:42) How to Connect with KAN-WIN

(25:47) Wrap Up

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/women-in-medicine-conversations-kan-win

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Anne Nguyen, Eujung Park, and Ashley Tam, hosted by Anne Nguyen, and graphic by Callista Wu and Claire Sun.

In this episode, Dr. Grace Kajita, Dr. Indu Partha, and Dr. Sreekala Raghavan share their expertise on crafting a compelling personal statement and navigating the ERAS application process. They discuss key strategies for standing out in a competitive residency cycle, common mistakes to avoid, and what program directors are really looking for. Tune in to hear their practical tips, real-world insights, and thoughtful advice on helping your story shine – whether you're applying yourself or mentoring the next generation of physicians.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction to White Coats & Rice: An APAMSA Podcast

(01:16) Introduction to Drs. Grace Kajita, Indu Partha, and Sreekala Raghavan

(03:15) Mastering Letters of Recommendation with Dr. Indu Partha

(10:50) Telling Your Story Through ERAS Experiences with Dr. Sreekala Raghavan

(23:26) Crafting a Personal Statement with Dr. Kajita

(30:46) How Should I Approach the “Hometown” Section

(33:09) How to Use Program and Geographic Signalling

(35:53) Virtual Open House Etiquette and Post-Event Follow-up

(39:58) Potential Red Flags in Applications

(44:18) Letters of Recommendation - What to Consider and How Many to Get

(48:54) How to Find Virtual Open Houses for Internal Medicine Residency Programs

(51:04) Should I Mention Subspecialty Interests in My Personal Statement?

(54:33) Event Outro

(55:14) Closing

Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/personal-statement-and-eras-workshop

FOLLOW APAMSA

Website: https://www.apamsa.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa

This episode was produced by Annie Nguyen and Ashley Tam, hosted by Tanvi Chitre and Mason Zhu, and graphic by Callista Wu and Claire Sun.