Penn State Health Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Unique Initiatives Samantha Johnson, April 30, 2024 Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May. The health system recognizes the valuable contributions made by its AAPI workforce, patients, and community. To celebrate this month, the Asian Physician and Professional Association, with support from the International Workforce Inclusion Resource Group and Multicultural Business Employee Resource Group, has organized several initiatives. One such initiative is the trailblazer nominations, where employees can recognize individuals who identify as AAPI and have made a significant impact within Penn State Health and the College of Medicine. These trailblazers will be featured in The RITE Stuff in June. Nominations can be submitted to diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu throughout May. Another exciting event is Sodexo’s AAPI-themed meal at all regional hospital sites on specific dates in May. The Asian Physician and Professional Association will also host a virtual seminar called “Language Talks,” aimed at raising awareness of the language barriers faced by non-native English speakers and promoting understanding across cultures. The Asian-Pacific region includes countries from the Asian continent as well as Pacific islands like Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was initially established as a week-long observance in 1978 by Congress and later expanded to a month-long celebration in 1992. This month holds significance as it coincides with the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States in May 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869, where many Chinese immigrants played a significant role. For those who may have trouble accessing content or require it in another format, they can reach out to the Penn State College of Medicine web department for assistance. The celebration of AAPI heritage month is an important reminder that everyone’s contributions matter, regardless of their background or ethnicity. It also serves as an opportunity for us to learn more about different cultures and promote inclusivity within our communities. As we celebrate this month, let us take time to appreciate our AAPI colleagues, friends, and neighbors who have enriched our lives with their unique perspectives and experiences. Let us also continue to work towards creating a more diverse and equitable society that values every individual’s contributions no matter their background or ethnicity. In conclusion, Penn State Health recognizes the importance of celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by acknowledging its workforce’s valuable contributions while promoting understanding across cultures through various initiatives such as trailblazer nominations, virtual seminars like Language Talks, AAPI-themed meals at regional hospital sites among others. Health