White Coats and Rice: An APAMSA Podcast

This episode of White Coats and Rice features Sean Tiwanak, a former respiratory therapist, heart transplant survivor, and musician from Honolulu, Hawaii. In celebration of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Sean reflects on his journey from caring for patients to experiencing severe heart failure and transplantation himself. He shares how his background in respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary medicine helped him recognize the seriousness of his condition and navigate life as a patient. Sean also discusses healthcare barriers facing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, the importance of listening to patients, and the role of empathy and human connection in medicine. The episode highlights how compassion, resilience, and “bringing aloha” can shape the way future healthcare professionals care for others. Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/apamsa-podcast 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 Herbie Villaflores, hosted by Herbie Villaflores, and graphic by Romi Sheng.

This episode of White Coats and Rice features Akshaj Variath, Krishna Gandham, and Keshav Ghanekar, three South Asian medical students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, the panel reflects on what being South Asian means to them. They also share their journeys into medicine and other paths they considered before committing to UMKC’s accelerated six-year program. The guests dive into how their communities shaped their upbringing and how they serve as role models in medicine for the younger generation back home. The episode highlights how important their culture is in their lives as they navigate medical school. Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/apamsa-podcast 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 Herbie Villaflores, hosted by Herbie Villaflores, and graphic by Romi Sheng.

Welcome to Season 3! This episode of White Coats and Rice features Dr. Rachel Lee, a board-certified allergist, immunologist, and internal medicine physician who is a professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a professor of medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. As a retired U.S. Navy medical officer, Dr. Lee reflects on her 20+ years in military medicine through the HPSP pathway, her transition into allergy and immunology, and her experiences balancing clinical practice with military leadership. She also shares insights on mentorship, resilience, and navigating identity as an Asian woman in academic and military medicine, emphasizing advocacy and support for trainees. The episode highlights her perspective on building a meaningful, adaptable career across service, academia, and specialty practice. For listeners who would like to continue the conversation or reach out, Dr. Lee can be contacted at [email protected] 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 Grace Kim, hosted by Madeline Pan, and graphic by Romi Sheng.

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