National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians

News and Events

Forcibly Detained, Voluntarily Professional:

Japanese American Physicians During Internment

In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, NCAPIP hosted a compelling webinar on Japanese American physician internment during World War II, featuring guests Dr. Troy Kaji and Dr. Gwenn Jensen

Gwenn M. Jensen is an oral historian and medical anthropologist with a master’s and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Colorado. Together with Naomi Hirahara, she coauthored Silent Scars of Healing Hands: Oral Histories of Japanese American Doctors in World War II Detention Camps.

NCAPIP Perspectives

Physicians Call for Reinstatement of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

NCAPIP calls Secretary Kennedy’s dismissal of ACIP members, a hazard to the U.S. Public Health.

NCAPIP Partner Organizations'
AANHPI Month Messages

A Message from NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH)

At NYU Langone Health, the Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) is dedicated to advancing research on the health of Asian American communities through rigorous, community-engaged research. Established in 2003 and funded across four consecutive cycles by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities as a Specialized Center of Excellence, CSAAH works to understand, address, and reduce health disparities affecting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.

At the core of CSAAH’s mission is the belief that impactful research must be grounded in the lived experiences of the communities it serves. Through a community-based participatory research approach, CSAAH partners closely with community organizations, clinical providers, and advocacy leaders to identify priority health issues, shape relevant research questions, and develop culturally responsive interventions. This work ensures that scientific inquiry is both rigorous and directly connected to the needs of Asian American communities. CSAAH supports primary data collection for national initiatives including Asian American populations, including the NIH-sponsored MOSAAIC study–a longitudinal cohort study.

A central strength of the center is its ability not only to generate evidence, but also to disseminate evidence-based findings in ways that lead to meaningful improvements in health outcomes. In collaboration with longstanding partners, including the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, CSAAH shares research, tools, and interventions through trusted community and advocacy leaders representing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, as well as Asian American populations across the United States and Pacific Basin. This dissemination model helps translate research into practice by equipping local organizations, community health workers, and providers with culturally relevant resources and strategies that can improve access to care, strengthen prevention efforts in local contexts, and reduce chronic disease disparities.

CSAAH also extends its impact through the AA & NH/PI Health Central web hub, which serves as a resource for health education toolkits, curricula, and other research-informed health information materials designed for community and practice settings. By making evidence accessible and actionable, the hub supports the broader use of proven interventions in the communities that need them most. We are pleased to also regularly spotlight our staff and the exciting work across our teams in our quarterly newsletter, which can be viewed at: https://aanhpihealth.org/resource/archived-newsletters-nyu-csaah

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, CSAAH’s work stands as a meaningful tribute to the leadership of Asian American physicians, researchers, and community partners whose efforts continue to advance health equity. Their work reflects the power of representation, partnership, and evidence-based action in building healthier futures for all.

Jennifer A. Wong

Program Manager of Center for the Study of Asian American Health

A Message from Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national organization of medical and pre-medical students committed to addressing the unique health challenges of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. APAMSA serves as a forum for student leaders to engage these health issues and develop initiatives and projects addressing those needs. Across the country, APAMSA chapters lead community health fairs, language-access initiatives, mentorship programs, advocacy efforts, and educational programming centered on the needs of AANHPI communities. The local, regional, and national activities of APAMSA aim to promote the health of the AANHPI community and help healthcare workers understand how to care for AANHPI patients in a culturally sensitive manner.

AANHPI Heritage Month in May is a special time that allows us to celebrate the immense cultural diversity and historical contributions of our AANHPI communities to the United States. From advocating for increased representation from traditionally underrepresented AANHPI communities to promoting mental health awareness, our goal is to advance health equity for all AANHPI patients and families. AANHPI physicians continue to play a vital role in advancing culturally responsive care, mentoring future generations of healthcare professionals, and advocating for historically underserved communities.

While we have come a long way from the inception of APAMSA in 1995, there are still strides to go as we continue to work tirelessly to elevate AANHPI voices. At a time when many AANHPI communities continue to face barriers to healthcare access, language inequities, and rising concerns surrounding mental health and discrimination, this month also serves as a reminder of the work still ahead. This space also allows us to reflect and share our struggles and empower each other to champion the AANHPI pre-medical student and medical student journeys. Furthermore, this month allows us the opportunity to reflect on our collective responsibility to the communities that raised us and deepen our commitment to dismantling the unique health inequities our communities face.

As we celebrate our shared triumphs and vibrant traditions, APAMSA remains dedicated to fostering a future where every AANHPI individual has the opportunity to thrive. We are honored to stand alongside our partners in this vital work, ensuring that our commitment to health justice extends far beyond the month of May. Our heritage is not just our history: it is the lens through which we provide more compassionate, equitable, and culturally responsive care for future generations.

James M. Chua

National President of Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association

A Message from ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, The Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians

ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our lāhui (nation) through culturally grounded leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. Rooted in the values of aloha, kuleana (privilege/responsibility), and mālama (to care for), the organization brings together Native Hawaiian physicians across specialties and career stages to collectively address persistent health inequities while strengthening pathways for the next generation.

As part of the broader Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) physician community, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka recognizes the essential role that culturally aligned providers play in advancing health equity. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities continue to experience disproportionate burdens of chronic disease shaped by historical, social, and structural determinants of health. Increasing representation within the physician workforce is therefore not only a matter of equity, but also one of quality, trust, and effectiveness. Patients experience better outcomes when cared for by providers who understand their cultural context, language, and lived experience, and AANHPI physicians bring critical perspectives that strengthen care delivery, inform research priorities, and shape more responsive health systems.

Central to ʻAhahui o nā Kauka’s work is the development of physicians who are both clinically excellent and deeply grounded in ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge). Through intentional mentorship, leadership development, and community partnership, the organization fosters a continuum of support that spans students, trainees, and practicing physicians. These relationships cultivate not only professional advancement, but also a strong sense of identity, responsibility, and accountability to community. In doing so, ʻAhahui ensures that its members are equipped to lead across clinical, academic, and policy spaces while remaining firmly rooted in the needs and priorities of the lāhui.

Beyond workforce development, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka is deeply committed to community engagement and responsiveness. The organization partners with communities to provide health education, screenings, and culturally relevant programming that meets people where they are. These efforts are guided not only by data, but also by relationships, lived experience, and a deep understanding of place.

Ultimately, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka represents more than a professional network—it is a collective movement advancing Native Hawaiian health, contributing to the broader AANHPI effort, and working toward a future where health equity is realized for all. During AANHPI Heritage Month, we celebrate the resilience, leadership, and collective impact of AANHPI physicians nationwide. We also reaffirm our shared responsibility to uplift our communities, invest in the next generation, and work in partnership toward a future where health equity is realized for all.

Dr. Marcus Iwane

President of ʻAhahui o nā Kauka

NCAPIP'S Mission

We are doctors who put our patients and communities first, and work towards optimal health for all.

Advancing Health Equity, One Community at a Time

In these challenging times for public health, NCAPIP stands as a trusted voice for AANHPI physicians and the communities we serve—over 10% of the U.S. physician workforce. From small safety net clinics to national health systems, we fight for equity, culturally responsive care, and the belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We uplift disaggregated data, combat silent epidemics like diabetes, and champion the next generation of diverse medical leaders. As a bridge between frontline providers and national policymakers, your support helps us keep that bridge strong—and ensures that no voice or community is left behind.

Donate now to sustain this mission. We are advocates for patients and communities – not physician interests – and every contribution helps us continue this vital, values-driven work.