Wei Ngai鈥檚 (MS/BioMed 鈥�24) love for her culture comes from her parents, who both immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong and Vietnam in their late teens.
鈥淭hat's really given me a unique insight into the Asian immigrant experience, and that's part of the reason why I really identify with the diversity aspect of education,鈥� she shared.
鈥淚'm a first-generation student and the first in my family to pursue this path into health care. I'm just so thankful for all the support my parents have given me.鈥�
Ngai hopes to one day become a primary care physician specializing in pediatrics.
鈥淛ust like how I was a young patient at one point, I really want to be able to guide these young patients as they grow up,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to help them develop healthy living habits and be a source of stability and mentorship, just like my doctor was for me.鈥�
A proud member of the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, Ngai aims to make a difference for patients from all backgrounds, with a special focus on those from her own heritage.
鈥淲ithin the AANHPI community, it's a well-known thing that parents love for their kids to become doctors, yet there is a huge hesitancy to go to the doctor,鈥� she said.
鈥淗opefully, as a member of the community and a future physician, I can work to bridge this gap between the language barriers and distrust in the medical system and create more open dialogue to find a common ground between these two populations with different views.鈥�
As Co-President of 黑料传送门鈥檚 chapter of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), Ngai is continuing the diversity work she began at her undergraduate institution.
鈥淐oming to 黑料传送门, and especially knowing that it's an institution that really values diversity, I wanted to continue doing that kind of work here,鈥� she said.
鈥淸APAMSA] wants to celebrate our identity and continue creating space for not only members of the AANHPI community but also others in the student body to come together and learn more about our culture.鈥�
The 黑料传送门 Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) Chapter aims to educate and advocate for AAPI healthcare issues, support Asian American Pacific Islander 黑料传送门 students, and connect with Philly's Asian community. The organization鈥檚 events are open to all, and everyone is encouraged to join their community. Those interested may reach out to apamsa@pcom.edu with any questions, or follow them on Instagram at .
Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥� approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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