Chris P.
Solidarity
Growing up around a strong Korean-American community in New Jersey, I have always been able to stay somewhat in touch with my Korean-American identity, despite the fact that I am not fluent in Korean. I am forever for grateful for my parents who’s jobs have always been centered around my community. My Dad works as an Immigration lawyer primarily for Korean permanent residents while my Mom works as a social worked for a Korean-American Senior Center to ensure that community residents stay up to date with their essential benefits (SNAP, Social security, etc.).
My way of giving back and celebrating my culture means being involved with my community throughout my studying and as I pursue a career in medicine. During my time at Northeastern University, I have had the amazing opportunity to be a student leader for the Asian American community as well as work with other cultural centers and communities of color outside of my Korean-American community. Through this work of exposing students to Asian American culture and empowering students through their identity, I have had the amazing opportunity to hear the stories and narratives of so many people.
When I started medical school, I have had the opportunity to combine both my passion for medicine and celebrating my identity and community through working with Addressing Disparities in Asiaion Populations through Translational Research (ADAPT) at Tufts Medical Center. ADAPT is a coalition that promotes Community-Based Participatory Research and works directly with community organizations in Boston’s Chinatown to help promote residents need. This includes highlighting and addressing problems such as abnormally high heat stress in Chinatown or making services more language accessible around the area. Currently, I have gratefully had the opportunity to help further investigate and work with community members to further implement a recently passed Massachusetts Bill that would further include subgroups of minorities in government-associated services so that more specific communities in need can be highlights. This will hopefully allow government services such as Masshealth to highlight needs of different subgroups that may have been typically overlooked.
Through my exposure to my community, no matter where I go, I always feel like I have a home that I feel safe and comfortable in. That’s why I find it so crucial to empower our communities.
