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Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month

Each year, the KU Medical Center community commemorates Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage (APIA) Month through the offering of events and resources. Learn more about how to become involved with the celebrations.

APIA Events and Activities Banner

Biographical Spotlights

May 1-31

Read brief biographical spotlights about Asian and Pacific Islander American faculty, staff and learners to learn about community members’ backgrounds, careers and what brought them to KU Medical Center. View the spotlights or follow KU Medical Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on social media (@kumcdei) for stories and photos all month long.

Jayhawk Coffee Break

May 1, 12-1 p.m.

As we kick off our Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, join us during a special Jayhawk Coffee/Tea Break and enjoy the opportunity to hear from first-generation APIA individuals. This is a great opportunity to connect and network with your colleagues!

Featured Research Seminars

Epigenome and Enhancer Malfunction in Reproductive Tumorigenesis

May 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Hybrid: 1006 Wahl Hall West A
uditorium or Zoom

Debabrata Chakravarti, Ph.D., vice chair for translational research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Anna Lapham Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University will present this seminar. Sponsored by Bohan Visiting Lectureship, J. Hambleton Abrahams Lectureship in Physiology, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Light refreshments will be provided.

For virtual attendees, Join via Zoom Meeting ID: 956 5947 8408 Passcode: 191355

Non-Neural Mechanisms of Neuronal Aging: Active Participation of Skin Cells

May 5, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hybrid: 1050 School of Nursing Building or virtual

Lezi E, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, at the Medical College of Wisconsin will lead this seminar. Sponsored by the Bohan Visiting Lectureship, KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Light refreshments will be provided.

Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Research Keynote

May 17, 12-1 p.m.
Virtual

Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian and Pacific Islander American faculty during this special event. Hubert Tse, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology at KU School of Medicine, will share about his research and personal journey of resilience and unity.

View Presentation Video

Cultural Celebration

May 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Hybrid: Filipino Cultural Center (9810 W 79th St, Overland Park, KS 66204) or virtual

In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, KU Medical Center has partnered with four local organizations and groups for a celebration event that will showcase cultural performances and feature food and refreshments for our attendees. In-person attendance is encouraged!

Register online now

Wellness Event

Kirmayer Fitness Center has provided an on-demand video for basic yoga instruction as we focus on mental health and wellness as part of our Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month celebration. View the recorded session at your leisure with friends and colleagues or participate from the comfort of your home or office. 

Please note: In order to participate in this exercise, you should be in good physical condition. If you engage in this exercise, you are doing so voluntarily and at your own risk.

Past Event Information

Jayhawk Coffee Break

May 4, 2022

Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month kicked off with a virtual Jayhawk Coffee Break and an opportunity to connect with colleagues. The coffee break highlighted faculty, staff and learners featured in the month’s biographical spotlights.

Community Conversations: Complementary and Integrative Medicine and Benefits for Promoting Wellness

May 12, 2022

This hybrid and comprehensive event will highlight the scientific mind and body intervention contributions of Associate Professor Wen Liu, Ph.D., in addition to an overview presentation from the interdisciplinary student organization Complementary and Integrative Medicine Advocates. Kansas City and Salina campus attendees will view a tai chi and qigong demonstration by Jakini MenAb, community health nurse at Soul Qi, LLC. Wichita campus participants will view a tai chi and qigong demonstration by Stephani Dykes, Dole VA Medical Center program manager. 

Research Day

May 19, 2022

Learn about research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian Pacific Islander American faculty. Digital posters and presentations will be followed by a keynote address from Neal Palafox, M.D., MPH, professor in the Population Sciences in the Pacific program at the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center.

Culture Day

May 25, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

KU Medical Center partnered with the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City, India Association of Kansas City, Kansas City Chinese Association, Polynesia Troupe and Sangam Indian Association for a celebration event that showcased cultural performances.

Additional Resources

Shop or Dine at an Asian Grocery Store or Restaurant
Grab a meal or snack at an Asian or Pacific Islander Store or Restaurant (PDF)

Read in the T.R.U.T.H.
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Children's Book List (PDF)

How to report discriminatory or harassment acts
Video 

View all videos on YouTube or watch the playlist below.

Jayhawk Coffee Break

May 4, 8-9 a.m.

Members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Committee, an extension of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Programming Committee, share information about their current activities and events. View recording on YouTube

Keynote Presentations

"The History of Racist Presentations of Asian and Pacific Islanders" by Dr. Jason Glenn 

May 7, Noon - 1 p.m.

Jason Glenn, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Medicine, delivers a keynote presentation addressing how Asian and Pacific Islanders have been represented in history and media. View recording on YouTube 


“Life Beyond Blindness: The Story Of An Asian-Indian Scientist Who Turned His Vision Loss Into A Rewarding Career Opportunity” by Dr. Rakesh Babu

May 14, Noon - 1 p.m.

Rakesh Babu, Ph.D., lead accessibility scientist at Envision Research Institute, delivers a keynote presentation addressing how he used his disability as a way to advocate for the visually impaired or blind community. View recording on YouTube

Community Conversations

Multigenerational Perspectives Panel

May 18, 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

This series focuses on the multigenerational intersectionality of diverse perspectives in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Our goal with the panel is to amplify voices within the community to build stronger advocacy and allyship systems in the fight for racial equity and liberation. View recording on YouTube

Addressing Racism and Macro/Microaggressions on Campus 

May 26, Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Join the conversation to learn about macro/microaggressions, how to heal from racism and strategies on how to address your colleagues, patients, or strangers when you are confronted with racism. View recording on YouTube

Research Day

"The Gleam of the Untravelled World: Transforming Education Through Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge" by Dr.  Venkat Sharma

May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center's Asian Pacific Islander American faculty, trainees and students. Digital posters and presentations, followed by keynote addresses delivered by Dr. Venkatanarayanan Sharma, Dean and Professor of Biology, College of Science and Health at William Paterson University. Continuing education credit will be available for attending this event. View recording on YouTube

May 5: Jayhawk Coffee Break 

Members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Committee, an extension of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Programming Committee, will be available to share information about their current activities and events.

May 6: Community Conversations: Discrimination & Racism Around COVID-19

The Student Diversity Council (SDC) will facilitate an open discussion lead by Dr. Monica Oh on how COVID-19 amplifies social and racial disparities.

May 20: Research Day 

Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian Pacific Islander American faculty and students. Digital posters and presentations will be followed by a keynote address by Ronald Chen, M.D., MPH, Joe and Jean Brandmeyer Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and associate director of health equity at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

University of Kansas Medical Center
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Mailstop 2015
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-3319
Fax: 913-588-1412