What It’s Like to be an AAPI Doctor in America

Being a doctor is considered as one of the pinnacles of achievements from an Asian households' standpoint. You are considered as an accomplished and respected individual if you have a profession of a doctor. But behind this facade called as the “model minority”, Asian American and Pacific Islander doctors are no stranger to the face of discrimination, violence, and racism.

According to a survey conducted last 2017, results show that 69% of Asian and 70% of African American doctors were more likely to hear biased comments and offensive remarks from patients which includes prejudice on their ethnicity, race, and accent. These incidents of discrimination were even more amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Delving in deep with the experiences of AAPI doctors in America could help us understand the underlying issues and challenges that they encounter on a daily basis as part of the minority group.

One of the Filipina Doctors in New York is Christine Umandap, a medical genetics resident at Manhattan’s Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. Due to the countless opportunities that she had as well as her desire to pursue her professional career abroad, she landed a job in New York. According to her interview with cosmopolitan, she believes that she had made the right choice to work in New York. Although it was more fast paced as compared to when she was in the Philippines, she is thankful to have the opportunity to encounter and interact with people from different backgrounds.

The experiences of AAPI doctors in America may differ from each other. Some may say that it was the best thing that they did in their life, and some may experience forms of discrimination and other challenges. But it doesn't change the fact that AAPI doctors and the community in general are still not free from the shackles of society.

Written by: Monina Antonio

References:
- Asian Americans face barriers and bigotry in medicine (Opinion) | CNN
- What It's Like To Be A Filipina Doctor In New York (cosmo.ph)

Monina Antonio is a digital marketing intern of PS Media Enterprise. She is currently a 4th year Broadcasting student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines- Sta. Mesa.