White Coats and Rice: An APAMSA Podcast

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national organization that aims to promote the health and well-being of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, help healthcare workers understand how to care for AANHPI patients in a culturally sensitive manner, and provide a forum for AANHPI medical and premed students develop personally and professionally. Our podcast will explore our community through roundtable discussions, conversations with leaders in healthcare, and chats with current leaders and alumni of our organization.

  1. Episode 8 - A Conversation with Dr. Vivienne Hau

    FEB 2

    Episode 8 - A Conversation with Dr. Vivienne Hau

    In this episode of White Coats and Rice, APAMSA Podcast Committee member and host Kevin Gaw sits down with Dr. Vivienne Hau, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine and a surgical vitreoretinal specialist, for a reflective conversation on leadership, identity, and legacy in medicine. Dr. Hau shares her journey through APAMSA—founding her medical school’s chapter at the University of Arizona, serving as Region VII Director, and later leading the organization as National President in 2001—while reflecting on how student advocacy continues to shape her work as a physician and mentor. The conversation also explores Dr. Hau’s experiences as a transgender woman in medicine, her path into ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery, and her perspective on building a more inclusive and sustainable future for both patients and providers. For listeners who would like to continue the conversation or reach out, Dr. Hau can be contacted at vivienne.s.hau@kp.org TIMESTAMPS (00:06) Introduction (03:08) Medicine, Career, & Growth (20:30) History in APAMSA (24:36) Leadership in APAMSA (34:33) Intersectionality: Transgender, Asian American, Physician (48:12) Advocacy, Leadership, & Reflection (59:59) Closing Remarks Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-8 FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Kevin Gaw, hosted by Kevin Gaw, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    1h 4m
  2. Episode 7 - South Asian Cardiovascular Health with Dr. Nilay Shah

    12/01/2025

    Episode 7 - South Asian Cardiovascular Health with Dr. Nilay Shah

    Welcome back to White Coats and Rice's new series: South Asian Health in Lens (SAHIL) 🧡✨, where we delve into critical topics in South Asian health, ranging from advocacy to cultural competency with distinguished healthcare leaders. In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Nilay Shah, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Mediators of Atherosclerosis of South Asians Living in America (MASALA) 2G Study. Dr. Shah has dedicated his research focus on strategies to preserve cardiovascular health in communities at high risk, including South Asian Americans. Recognized for his contributions to clinical advancement and cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Shah applies his expertise to shed light on cardiovascular health and social determinants of health. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (01:25) Dr. Shah's journey into cardiology and South Asian health research (05:06) Introduction to the MASALA study (08:40) Moving beyond "why" in research (17:03) Personal connection to MASALA and community engagement (25:26) Understanding stress and its impact on health behaviors (30:39) Dietary recommendations and nuances (36:19) Common health misconceptions in the South Asian community (44:20) Advice for South Asian medical students (50:02) Closing remarks Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/apamsa-podcast FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, hosted by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, edited by Grace Kim, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    52 min
  3. Episode 6 - Pre-Health: Things I Wish I Knew Before Applying to Medical School

    11/17/2025

    Episode 6 - Pre-Health: Things I Wish I Knew Before Applying to Medical School

    In this Pre-Health Series episode of White Coats and Rice, APAMSA Pre-Health Directors and hosts Angeline Yu and Ryesa Mansoor sit down with Livy Nguyen, a senior at Temple University currently applying to medical school, and Tiffany Trinh, a second-year osteopathic medical student at Rocky Vista University. Together, they share thoughtful and candid reflections and lessons from their pre-med and medical journeys: navigating tough coursework and finding mentorship to handling gap years, choosing the right school, and adapting to medical training. TIMESTAMPS (00:05) Episode Introduction (01:09) Speaker Introductions (03:02) Finding Your Path to Medicine (04:57) Deciding Your College Major (05:48) Handling Difficult Pre-Med Courses (08:10) Extracurriculars (10:28) Reflections About the Med School Application Process (15:02) Finding and Maintaining Mentorship (21:13) Gap Year Experience as a Medical Assistant (25:45) What Surprised You About Medical School (28:21) Choosing a Medical School (33:38) Differences between College and Medical School (36:30) Closing Remarks & Advice for Future Healthcare Students (41:00) Outro Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-applying-to-medical-school FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Angeline Yu, Ryesa Mansoor and Kevin Gaw, hosted by Angeline Yu and Ryesa Mansoor, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    42 min
  4. Episode 4 - Ask Me Anything with Dr. Jhemon Lee

    10/15/2025

    Episode 4 - Ask Me Anything with Dr. Jhemon Lee

    This episode of White Coats & Rice is a fun, informal conversation featuring Dr. Jhemon Lee, one of the original founders of APAMSA and currently a radiologist at UCI Health. Recorded from part of National APAMSA's Interbranch Week, this was a unique opportunity to connect with a trailblazer in AANHPI medical student leadership, ask candid questions, and gain insights into our own journeys in medicine. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (01:27) Dr. Lee’s Current Life (03:46) A Day in the Life of a Diagnostic Radiologist (06:36) Journey to Medicine and Specialty Choice (Radiology) (10:14) East Coast to West Coast (13:17) The Choice for Private Practice vs. Academics (16:51) Balancing Being a Radiologist and Business Owner (20:12) Advice for Students on Private Practice (22:20) Improv Comedy (28:30) The "Yes, And" Mentality and Support Systems (30:13) Co-Founding APAMSA (35:45) APAMSA's Greatest Potential for Impact (38:43) Rapid Question: Advice to Your Younger Self (40:27) Hopes for the Next Generation of AANHPI Physicians (43:40) The Billboard Lesson and Closing Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/ama-with-dr-jhemon-lee FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Annie Nguyen and Elton Tong, hosted by Elton Tong, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    39 min
  5. Episode 3 - SAHIL with Dr. Malathi Srinivasan

    09/28/2025

    Episode 3 - SAHIL with Dr. Malathi Srinivasan

    Introducing White Coats and Rice's new series: South Asian Health in Lens (SAHIL)! In SAHIL, we delve into critical topics in South Asian health, ranging from advocacy to cultural competency with distinguished healthcare leaders. In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Malathi Srinivasan, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and Associate Director at the Stanford Center for Asian Healthcare Research and Education (also known as Stanford CARE). Dr. Srinivasan brings her skills as an educator, physician, health services researcher, and entrepreneur to shed light on crucial topics in South Asian health, including cruical health trends, preventative health for South Asians, and Stanford CARE's efforts in researching Asian health. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (01:27) Dr. Srinivasan’s early life and immigrant childhood (04:23) Discovering identity and path to medicine (07:15) Journey into Asian health research (09:03) Common misconceptions: the model minority myth (13:41) Lifestyle choices for South Asian health (18:50) Pharmacogenomics and South Asian patients (24:17) Nutrition, diet myths, and healthy adjustments (37:17) Screening guidelines for South Asians (40:50) Building trust and rapport with South Asian patients (47:37) Opportunities to get involved with Stanford CARE (51:18) Advice for South Asian medical students (54:19) Finding supportive mentors (58:28) Audience question: relying on professors in residency (01:01:09) Closing Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/white-coats-rice-season-2-episode-3 FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth and Grace Kim, hosted by Nikitha (Nikki) Sheth, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    1h 2m
  6. Episode 2 - Women in Medicine with Dr. Monica Soni

    09/15/2025

    Episode 2 - Women in Medicine with Dr. Monica Soni

    Join us for an episode in the Women in Medicine series with Dr. Monica Soni! Dr. Monica Soni is one of the youngest Chief Medical Officers at Covered California, a board-certified practicing Internal Medicine physician, and a leading voice for innovation, equity, and representation in healthcare. As a Black and South Asian woman, she is redefining what care looks like by leading with empathy and advancing a more inclusive, accessible, and community-centered system. In this episode, we discuss her own journey and work as well as her advice for rising physicans. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (01:09) About Dr. Monica Soni (02:54) Meet the patient (06:29) Navigating the patient interaction (08:26) Intersectionality of identity  (11:24) Medical school experience (13:56) Covered California (15:50) Working with the community (18:30) Barrier to accessing communities (20:10) Balancing physicianship with other responsibilities (22:07) How can we integrate into the community (25:18) Scarcity mindset (26:58) Optimism (30:09) Beyond Covered (34:02) Expanding outside of California (36:15) Advice to younger POC women (37:57) What keeps you grounded? (38:59) Mentorship (Creating a healthy mentee-mentor role or relationship) (43:55) Closing remarks (46:35) How to connect (47:27) Closing Full transcript of this episode: https://www.apamsa.org/apamsa-podcast FOLLOW APAMSA Website: https://www.apamsa.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalapamsa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalapamsa Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationalapamsa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalapamsa This episode was produced by Eujung Park and Kevin Gaw, hosted by Eujung Park, and graphic by Callista Wu.

    48 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national organization that aims to promote the health and well-being of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, help healthcare workers understand how to care for AANHPI patients in a culturally sensitive manner, and provide a forum for AANHPI medical and premed students develop personally and professionally. Our podcast will explore our community through roundtable discussions, conversations with leaders in healthcare, and chats with current leaders and alumni of our organization.