As I write this in honor and recognition of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and look ahead to the next year, I am challenged by three questions:
- How do we strengthen our ties as a community of leaders, trailblazing connected paths from early careerists to board room tables?
- How do we establish a matrix for Asian healthcare leadership communities across our chapters for ideas, resources and networks?
- How do we build bridges with our allies, other Asian leadership networks and other minority groups for empowerment and collaboration?
The theme of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year is “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future,” which encourages reflections on intergenerational connections and paving the way forward. As a healthcare leader and the chair of ACHE’s Asian Healthcare Leaders Community Committee, I am inspired by the following stories and examples. I will highlight one key insight from each story that I hope will answer my opening questions and inspire you as well, whether you are an Asian healthcare leader or an ally.
Story #1
Almost 15 years ago, I was an impressionable administrative resident who heard about a national conference for Asian healthcare leaders. My amazing mentor supported my presence at the conference and sent me off with wise words to connect, learn and grow. At that conference, I heard from Fawn Lopez, the publisher emeritus of Modern Healthcare. Her story of immigrant parents, watching her parents face racism because of language challenges, and her dad’s inspiring vision of leaning into challenge as a way for his children to adapt and grow resonated with me so strongly. I’ve chatted with her before and connected with her via social media over the years.
Recently, she and I reconnected in person in Chicago, and it was amazing to share life learnings and our advocacy for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in support of women and Asian healthcare leaders. I reread her book, Unstoppable: Inspiring Stories of Perseverance, Triumph and Joy from Trailblazing Women in Healthcare. Her words called to me, but there was one question that stood out. She talks about the late Jean Chenoweth, a veteran leader of the Top 100 Hospitals program of Modern Healthcare, who asked: “As the leader of the preeminent healthcare media company, what plans do you have for utilizing your new position and platform to make a positive impact in healthcare and your community?”
Insight: Having a voice, a perspective and a role or title is a blessing. However, being able to have a clear vision of how you are going to use that position, voice and platform to make a positive impact in healthcare and your community is the differentiator.
Story #2
More than a year ago, I was in a season of nonstop podcasts, seeking inspiring content and stories that reflected my cultural or professional mix. Finding something that integrated both would have been like finding a purple unicorn! To be honest, I have still not found that unicorn, but I discovered “South Asian Trailblazers” from Simi Shah. I did not know how old she was or what her credentials were. I started listening because I had finally found someone who highlighted trailblazers across generations and industries. I was obsessed, listening to almost every episode for several months.
A Forbes article in 2021 said, “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are often generalized and categorized as a monolithic model minority, assigned broad attributes of docility, silence and diligence. But with 23 million Asian Americans from more than 20 countries, generalizations are inaccurate at best and life-threatening at worst. One of the most powerful ways to combat these stigmas is through storytelling, and that’s exactly what a new generation of AAPI podcasters are doing. They are raising their voices about dual-identities and first-generation complexities and shattering those model minority expectations. They are sharing the struggles and accomplishments that make up the lives of other revolutionary and inspiring Asian Americans. And they are doing it on their own terms.” I have learned a lot more about Simi’s experiences and impact since I started listening to her podcast.
Insight: Regardless of her age, Simi showcases finding opportunities where she is and leveraging her skills and network to share stories about trailblazing Asian leaders who transcend generations and industries. How else could a mid-careerist Asian healthcare leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth area connect and be inspired by the stories that were shared? Starting with where we are, how we are and with what we have are the first steps. These were exactly what helped ACHE of North Texas launch the Asian Healthcare Leaders Community of North Texas in 2022.
Story #3
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I accepted a challenge to expand my network by hosting 15-minute calls with people on my LinkedIn network. I would randomly message folks, introduce myself and ask them to connect for a call. Many ignored my messages, others thought I wanted to sell them something (I learned to clarify that in my opening statement) and quite a few were interested in chatting.
One of those leaders from a healthcare architecture firm asked me why I was waiting for someone else to start a local community for Asian healthcare leaders. Had I considered that I could launch the conversation myself? I hadn’t. His simple question prompted me to research, validate, verify and eventually raise my hand for the opportunity. The community and the need for connection and opportunities to share resources already exists. All we need is for one light to be kindled to light up the entire ecosystem.
I also realized that friends across the country had identified similar opportunities and were lighting up things locally. Thank you to Dylan Blackburn in Washington; Michael DeGuzman, FACHE, in New York; Swati Bhardwaj, FACHE, in North Carolina; and Nam Le-Morawa, DPT, FACHE, in Arizona for their efforts to connect Asian healthcare leaders locally. I am honored to call these executives my friends as we share resources and ideas and build bridges across the country.
Insight: Being open and willing to challenge yourself as a healthcare leader in how you identify opportunities and what you can do to bridge these gaps is a critical step in becoming a visionary. Many visionaries do not stop and think about becoming one. Their focus is on filling a gap and building a bridge between resources and opportunities so they can make a difference in someone else’s life. It is a great way to define a core value for yourself.
As I prepare for the work at the chapter and national levels as an Asian healthcare leader, I am proud of the trailblazers and the giants whose shoulders we all stand upon. I am just as proud of the phenomenal Asian healthcare leaders in my committee, as well as across the country leading our healthcare organizations, whose motivation, ideas and stories will present the next generation of giants for our future.
I wish all my AAPI friends and allies a wonderful celebration this month and ask that you continue to be the light shining in the darkness for everyone around you!
Angela Vincent Michael, FACHE, CPHQ, LSSBB, is the chair of ACHE’s Asian Healthcare Leaders Community Committee.