In an effort to remain accountable to communities who have been negatively impacted by past and present medical injustices, the staff at Himmelfarb Library is committed to the work of maintaining an anti-discriminatory practice. We will uplift and highlight diverse stories throughout the year, and not shy away from difficult conversations necessary for health sciences education. To help fulfill this mission, today's blog post features a highlight of two student organizations: GW APAMSA and GW SAMSA.
The Asian Pacific American Medical Association (APAMSA) is a national organization that advocates for the health of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the US. GW APAMSA is one of the many school-specific chapters organized under the national organization. GW APAMSA is entirely student-led, with a faculty advisor coordinating with the students. I spoke with Isabel Park, the President of GW APAMSA, to get some more information about the GW APAMSA chapter.
National APAMSA has a set of goals and initiatives aimed towards addressing AAPI health disparities and community outreach. GW APAMSA supports these efforts, but the chapter has recently reoriented itself, providing support for the AAPI community at SMHS and standing in solidarity with those experiencing racially motivated attacks. GW APAMSA is working to provide a space for AAPI students and faculty to process and heal, and to create opportunities for allies to stand in solidarity with the AAPI community against anti-Asian hate. Isabel explained “We want people to know that [we’re] hurting too, we want to bring awareness to our allies out there, and create a space for everyone to participate.” Increasing empathy and creating a community of support is vital to the health and wellbeing of the AAPI community at GW.
I asked Isabel how the GW community could best support our GW APAMSA chapter. She explained that there is a gap in knowledge between student-led organizations and the institutional resources that are available to support them, like the Anti-Racism Coalition and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Ensuring student organizations like GW APAMSA are aware of the support that already exists is vital, as being able to collaborate with these institutional organizations opens doors for student-led organizations. On a more individual level, the GW community can amplify the voices of GW APAMSA by promoting and attending their events. The importance of visibly and vocally standing in solidarity with the GW AAPI community cannot be overstated.
If you’d like to get involved, you can email GW APAMSA at gwapamsa@gwu.edu and follow them on Instagram. Additionally, GW APAMSA in partnership with Georgetown APAMSA have the upcoming Dialogue on Model Minority Myths: Stereotypes in Medicine and the Culture of Medicine. The Dialogue is scheduled for May 19th at 5PM EST. Please RSVP for the event - we hope to see you there!
The South Asian Medical Student Association (SAMSA), founded in 2020, is a national organization with a mission that includes “supporting medical students, promoting research initiatives, and advocating the needs of the South Asian American community.” GW SAMSA is one of fifteen chapters within the national organization. GW SAMSA is student-led, with Dr. Narayan serving as their faculty advisor. I spoke with Sarthak Shah on behalf of the GW SAMSA Executive Board, to learn more about GW SAMSA.
Sarthak explained that GW SAMSA “seeks to foster the South Asian Community within the GW SMHS community as well as provide opportunities for fellow South Asians to connect with one another and create a meaningful and long lasting network.” Much like the National SAMSA, they also work to spread awareness of health issues that disproportionately affect South Asians, like cardiovascular health, and health issues that are often overlooked in South Asian communities, like mental health.
When asked how the GW community could best support our SAMSA chapter, Sarthak asked that we work to amplify the mission of GW SAMSA - that we allow them a platform to highlight the important causes they will be promoting. One of the most pressing issues at the moment is COVID relief for India. Organizations like OxygenForIndia, UNICEF, and Care India are working to provide much-needed support and relief. Supporting these organizations with donations, promoting the work they are doing, and continuing to educate ourselves and others on the ongoing crisis are all ways we can support our GW SAMSA chapter, its mission, and the South Asian community at GW.
If you’d like to get involved, you can reach GW SAMSA at gwsamsa@gmail.com, and be sure to connect with them on Facebook!
