Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
Each year, the KU Medical Center community commemorates Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage (APIA) Month through the offering of events and resources. Learn more about how to become involved with the celebrations.
Jayhawk Coffee Break
May 7, 2024 | 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Murphy Lobby
Join us for coffee or tea and hear from members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Committee as they share about their current activities and events for the month of May.
Cooking Demonstration and Presentation
May 10, 2024 | 3-5 p.m. | School of Nursing Building 4024
Focusing on our theme of “Building Your Wellness Core with Culture,” Dr. Marissa Love, assistant professor in the Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology, and Rheumatology, will provide a cooking demonstration and presentation. Participants will learn how to make kimchi and hear how food impacts our health, wellness and overall well-being. Open to all employees and learners at KU and KU Medical Center.
Cultural Clothing Day
May 13, 2024 | 1-2 p.m. | School of Nursing Building Atrium
Traditional Asian attire — be it an áo dài, lehenga choli, qipao or hanbok — has a long history. We are inviting all Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) on our Kansas City campus to wear APIA cultural outfits to work on May 13. Join us in the afternoon for a casual opportunity to connect with others, take photos and share them on our social media. Open to employees and learners at KU and KU Medical Center.
Wichita Asian Night Market
May 18, 2024 | 6-11 p.m. | Wichita Riverfront Stadium
25 tickets will be provided for Wichita faculty, staff and students for this family-friendly event featuring a diverse range of culinary delights, handicrafts and entertainment. Registration is required and tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the Wichita Asian Night Market.
Cultural Celebration
May 23, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Filipino Center
KU Medical Center has partnered with local Asian Pacific Islander American organizations for a celebration event that will showcase cultural dance performances, food and refreshments. The program will begin at approximately 5:45 p.m. Open to all employees and learners at KU and KU Medical Center.
Past Event Information
Biographical Spotlights
Read brief biographical spotlights about Asian and Pacific Islander American faculty, staff and learners to learn about community members’ backgrounds, careers and what brought them to KU Medical Center. View the spotlights or follow KU Medical Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on social media (@kumcdei) for stories and photos all month long.
Jayhawk Coffee Break
May 1, 12-1 p.m.
As we kick off our Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, join us during a special Jayhawk Coffee/Tea Break and enjoy the opportunity to hear from first-generation APIA individuals. This is a great opportunity to connect and network with your colleagues!
Featured Research Seminars
Epigenome and Enhancer Malfunction in Reproductive Tumorigenesis
May 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Hybrid: 1006 Wahl Hall West Auditorium or Zoom
Debabrata Chakravarti, Ph.D., vice chair for translational research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Anna Lapham Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University will present this seminar. Sponsored by Bohan Visiting Lectureship, J. Hambleton Abrahams Lectureship in Physiology, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Non-Neural Mechanisms of Neuronal Aging: Active Participation of Skin Cells
May 5, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hybrid: 1050 School of Nursing Building or virtual
Lezi E, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, at the Medical College of Wisconsin will lead this seminar. Sponsored by the Bohan Visiting Lectureship, KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Research Keynote
May 17, 12-1 p.m.
Virtual
Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian and Pacific Islander American faculty during this special event. Hubert Tse, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology at KU School of Medicine, will share about his research and personal journey of resilience and unity.
Cultural Celebration
May 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Hybrid: Filipino Cultural Center (9810 W 79th St, Overland Park, KS 66204) or virtual
In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, KU Medical Center has partnered with four local organizations and groups for a celebration event that will showcase cultural performances and feature food and refreshments for our attendees. In-person attendance is encouraged!
Wellness Event
Kirmayer Fitness Center has provided an on-demand video for basic yoga instruction as we focus on mental health and wellness as part of our Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month celebration. View the recorded session at your leisure with friends and colleagues or participate from the comfort of your home or office.
Please note: In order to participate in this exercise, you should be in good physical condition. If you engage in this exercise, you are doing so voluntarily and at your own risk.
Jayhawk Coffee Break
May 4, 2022
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month kicked off with a virtual Jayhawk Coffee Break and an opportunity to connect with colleagues. The coffee break highlighted faculty, staff and learners featured in the month’s biographical spotlights.
Community Conversations: Complementary and Integrative Medicine and Benefits for Promoting Wellness
May 12, 2022
This hybrid and comprehensive event will highlight the scientific mind and body intervention contributions of Associate Professor Wen Liu, Ph.D., in addition to an overview presentation from the interdisciplinary student organization Complementary and Integrative Medicine Advocates. Kansas City and Salina campus attendees will view a tai chi and qigong demonstration by Jakini MenAb, community health nurse at Soul Qi, LLC. Wichita campus participants will view a tai chi and qigong demonstration by Stephani Dykes, Dole VA Medical Center program manager.
Research Day
May 19, 2022
Learn about research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian Pacific Islander Americanfaculty. Digital posters and presentations will be followed by a keynote address from Neal Palafox, M.D., MPH, professor in the Population Sciences in the Pacific program at the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center.
Culture Day
May 25, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
KU Medical Center partnered with the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City, India Association of Kansas City, Kansas City Chinese Association, Polynesia Troupe and Sangam Indian Association for a celebration event that showcased cultural performances.
Additional Resources
View all videos on YouTube or watch the playlist below.
Jayhawk Coffee Break
May 4, 8-9 a.m.
Members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Committee, an extension of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Programming Committee, share information about their current activities and events. View Jayhawk coffee break recording on YouTube
Keynote Presentations
"The History of Racist Presentations of Asian and Pacific Islanders" by Dr. Jason Glenn
May 7, Noon - 1 p.m.
Jason Glenn, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Medicine, delivers a keynote presentation addressing how Asian and Pacific Islanders have been represented in history and media. View keynote presentations recording on YouTube
“Life Beyond Blindness: The Story Of An Asian-Indian Scientist Who Turned His Vision Loss Into A Rewarding Career Opportunity” by Dr. Rakesh Babu
May 14, Noon - 1 p.m.
Rakesh Babu, Ph.D., lead accessibility scientist at Envision Research Institute, delivers a keynote presentation addressing how he used his disability as a way to advocate for the visually impaired or blind community. View "Life Beyond Blindness" recording on YouTube
Community Conversations
Multigenerational Perspectives Panel
May 18, 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
This series focuses on the multigenerational intersectionality of diverse perspectives in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Our goal with the panel is to amplify voices within the community to build stronger advocacy and allyship systems in the fight for racial equity and liberation. View multigenerational perspectives panel recording on YouTube
Addressing Racism and Macro/Microaggressions on Campus
May 26, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Join the conversation to learn about macro/microaggressions, how to heal from racism and strategies on how to address your colleagues, patients, or strangers when you are confronted with racism. View addressing racism on campus recording on YouTube
Research Day
"The Gleam of the Untravelled World: Transforming Education Through Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge" by Dr. Venkat Sharma
May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center's Asian Pacific Islander American faculty, trainees and students. Digital posters and presentations, followed by keynote addresses delivered by Dr. Venkatanarayanan Sharma, Dean and Professor of Biology, College of Science and Health at William Paterson University. Continuing education credit will be available for attending this event. View "The Glem of the Untravelled World" recording on YouTube
May 5: Jayhawk Coffee Break
Members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Committee, an extension of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Programming Committee, will be available to share information about their current activities and events.
May 6: Community Conversations: Discrimination & Racism Around COVID-19
The Student Diversity Council (SDC) will facilitate an open discussion lead by Dr. Monica Oh on how COVID-19 amplifies social and racial disparities.
May 20: Research Day
Learn about the research conducted by KU Medical Center’s Asian Pacific Islander American faculty and students. Digital posters and presentations will be followed by a keynote address by Ronald Chen, M.D., MPH, Joe and Jean Brandmeyer Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and associate director of health equity at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.