Amplifying Asian American
and Pacific Islander Voices:

Hafa Adai! This traditional Chamorro greeting holds a special place in my heart as it reminds me of my roots and the strong sense of community and hospitality that defines the people of Guam. My name is Denise Cruz, and I am proud to call Guam my home. Situated in the Western Pacific, Guam is a picturesque island territory known for its tropical beaches, Chamorro villages, and ancient latte-stone pillars. The latte stone pillars are a significant symbol of Guam, serving as building supports used by the ancient Chamorro people. These pillars can be found throughout the Mariana Islands and are a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Chamorro people. In modern times, the latte stone has become a symbol of Chamorro identity, representing strength, resilience, and cultural pride. Growing up on Guam, I never imagined pursuing a career in health care. Initially, I had a background in computer science and worked as a medical biller and for a health insurance company. However, witnessing my mother's selfless dedication to caring for others inspired me to explore a career in health care from a different perspective – the clinical side.

In 2010, I made the bold decision to relocate to California as a single mother in search of better opportunities. Despite facing challenges in finding a job that aligned with my passion for health care, I remained determined to pursue my dreams. The biggest obstacle I encountered was figuring out childcare for my young son while I attended college. Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to send him back to his father to ensure that I could focus on my education and career goals. Becoming a medical assistant has been a transformative experience for me. In this role, I have embraced the responsibility of caring for patients with empathy and compassion, mirroring the selfless dedication of my mother. Just as the latte stone pillars provide support and stability, I strive to be a pillar of strength for my patients, offering comfort and care during their time of need. In conclusion, my journey from Guam to California and my transition into a career in health care have been shaped by my cultural heritage, personal experiences, and unwavering determination. As I walk in the footsteps of my mother, embodying the spirit of the latte stone, I am reminded of the resilience and strength that define the Chamorro people. May we continue to uphold the values of community, hospitality, and compassion in all that we do.

As a son of Chinese Cambodian refugees, my family upbringing played an important part of who I am today. As immigrants to this foreign country, navigating the health care system was often a great challenge for my family members. My grandparents were constantly in and out of the hospital battling manageable diseases with no assistance or guidance provided to them. At an early age, I had to serve in many roles, such as translator, scheduler, and care coordinator. I look back retrospectively, and it is still quite relevant today, but our health care system is not designed for native English speakers. This experience had challenged me to do better not just for my family but for my fellow community members. Witnessing all of this at a very young age, I have dedicated my life to fixing a broken health system. I went back to school and obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) at UCLA with a focus on health equity. The work I do now at MemorialCare is to expand access to care and serve the needs of our community. I have the privilege to wake up every day and think about how we can redesign our health care system to serve the needs of everyone.

Born and raised in Vietnam for the first 13 years of my life, health care was a privilege that many could not easily access. I vividly remember the helplessness of witnessing my younger brother suffer from an asthma attack. Access to health care meant a harrowing journey, riding a motorbike with a sick child along pothole-ridden roads to reach a mediocre clinic staffed by a "trained" clinician.

This early experience ignited my determination to improve health care accessibility and quality. After obtaining a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Pittsburgh, I became motivated to work with nonprofit organizations. Using objective analytical approaches, my goal is to develop and evolve strategies, optimize finances, advance staff expertise, and leverage a holistic approach to organizational development, enhancing the care services available to community members.

With over 15 years of experience as a strategic partner to nonprofit health care organizations, I blend my passion for social impact with sound business expertise to help organizations make a meaningful difference. I am passionate about addressing community needs, expanding services, and training future health care clinicians. I feel blessed to be part of the MemorialCare Family, building services that benefit the Greater Long Beach community.

Outside of work, I cherish spending quality time with my three kind, witty, active children, and husband, exploring the beautiful landscapes of Southern California.

I am the mixed-race son of a mother who immigrated from the Philippines and a father who was born in the Midwest of the U.S. but grew up in California. I was born in Southern California and grew up surrounded by multiculturalism. I was raised in a church that was largely Asian American (mostly Japanese, Korean, and Chinese) and I attended schools where the majority of the student body was made up of Black/African Americans and Latino-Americans. I’d like to think that I’ve adopted a lot of the best parts of those cultures and communities, and they’ve helped to form who I am today. As I reflect on all my influences growing up, I am reminded of how the ideas of service, selflessness and perseverance have been modeled for me, first by my parents and family and later in life by so many others. Those ideas have been incredibly formative for me and have had a significant impact on the way that I’ve lived and the decisions I’ve made throughout my life. In fact, I would say that it was those ideas that lead me to pursue a career in health care and have helped me to stay the course through the challenges that have come with that decision. When I’ve been surrounded by patients and families experiencing tragedy, I’m reminded that I’m there to serve and guide them, no matter how difficult. When I’ve been tempted to quit, I’m reminded of family members who persevered through struggles with mental health to keep on serving others. I am so grateful that I have a foundation that keeps me steady and anchored through the challenges of this profession.

Growing up as a first-generation Filipino American with immigrant parents while pursuing a career in nursing involves navigating a complex web of familial obligations and high expectations. The cultural and generational divide between Filipino parents and their American-born children can create significant challenges. 

Filipino immigrant parents often emphasize the importance of hard work, education, and family loyalty – values deeply rooted in their cultural background. For a first-generation nurse, this means excelling academically and professionally while also adhering to the expectation of contributing to the family. This dual responsibility can be overwhelming, as the rigorous demands of nursing education and practice require immense dedication and time. Growing up, my parents were strict and often did not allow me to socialize much outside of our home or our cousin’s homes. I was not allowed to go over to a friend’s house until I had the freedom of driving myself. 

In many Filipino families, there is a strong emphasis on “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude), where children feel a profound obligation to repay their parents' sacrifices. This cultural expectation can lead to significant pressure, as first-generation nurses might be expected to financially support their families, assist with household duties, or care for younger siblings, all while managing their own educational and professional responsibilities. Balancing these duties can result in burnout and stress, often compounded by the stigma surrounding mental health in many Filipino communities, making it challenging to seek support.

Despite challenges, many first-generation Filipino American nurses draw strength from their cultural heritage. The values of resilience, sacrifice, and dedication instilled by their parents become invaluable assets in their nursing careers. These nurses often serve as role models within their communities, showcasing the ability to honor their familial and cultural obligations while achieving professional success.

I started as an associate degree RN, graduating from LA Harbor College in 1996. I went on obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration then a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Being what seems like a forever learner, I went back to school for my master’s in nursing administration at UCLA while my two kids were in kindergarten and first grade. I have moved up the nursing administration ladder starting as a supervisor, manager, and associate director at two other hospitals. I was just promoted to director of medical surgical, telemetry services and inpatient rehab at MemorialCare three months ago. The positive is having the support of my parents as I achieved each milestone. I am currently in school for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. My mom passed away 14 years ago, but it was her dream that I obtain my DNP. 

In summary, the journey of a first-generation Filipino American nurse is marked by the struggle to balance familial expectations and professional aspirations. While this path is fraught with challenges, it also fosters a deep sense of resilience and dedication, ultimately enriching the nursing profession with diverse perspectives and experiences.

My pronouns are she/her. I am bi-racial: Chinese and Vietnamese. I grew up speaking Chaozhou (Teochew) as my first language and did not learn English until grade school. We were refugees from Cambodia, and we had very little growing up. We relied on the generosity of others and government assisted programs like Medi-Cal. My mother encouraged me to work hard in school, be outspoken and take seize opportunities that were never available to her. Like other immigrant children, I played the role of translator for our family. The role became harder as I grew older and recognized the disparities between the quality of care based on zip codes. I also noticed very few doctors looked like me or understood our culture. This motivated me to work in health care. I believe everyone should have access to high quality health care regardless of their ability to pay and have dedicated my career to making this a reality.

My name is Sasanapirath Vong. I am a father, husband, leader in health care and a first generation Cambodian American. My name Sasna means religion and I was named by my father Saem Vong, a Buddhist Monk who was well versed in Sanskrit and Khmer literature. During the genocide of Khmer Rouge (1975 to 1979), educated or literate people were either persecuted or murdered causing many of them to flee the county. My father decided to stay and help countless Cambodians prepare their visa so they could come to America for a better life. It was his way of helping people overcome their challenges and escape oppression.

Hearing the stories of how my father served the Cambodian people empowered me at a very young age and helped me understand the importance of serving my community. I was raised to be kind, compassionate and to support others, which is why I decided to seek a profession in the medical field. I also saw that there was a lack of people in the medical field that look like me or understood my culture. I knew that I could help ease those who feared going to the doctor or seeking medical attention due to their inability to understand or speak the language. As I look back, I realized that I was able to be like my father, I was able to help my Cambodian community understanding the importance of health care and at times being there for them during the most difficult times of their lives.

The City of Long Beach is my home and has the largest population of Cambodian in the United States, something that I am so proud of. What I am most proud of though is that I get to follow in the footsteps of my father and teach my children that they too can help other and our community by serving. I am thankful to MemorialCare for giving me this opportunity to serve our community at such a high level of quality and care.