Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This May, PAEA is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is designated for recognizing the contributions and influence of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities to the history, culture, and achievements of our nation.
The AAPI Community contains vast cultural and linguistic diversity, with AAPI PA students proudly representing many nationalities. Their distinct histories remind us that though we all come from different backgrounds, as PA educators, we join together for one purpose: to train the next generation of exceptional, compassionate healthcare providers.
As we remember the history of the AAPI Community, it is important to also recognize painful chapters in our nation’s story. The month of May was selected as AAPI Heritage Month to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1847, and to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was completed by 20,000 Chinese workers who were subjected to brutal working conditions.
At PAEA, we are dedicated to not only celebrating the contributions of the AAPI Community, but also continuing the work of creating safe, inclusive, and equitable environments for AAPI students, faculty, staff, and patients.
Without AAPI students and educators, the PA profession – and PA education – would be incomplete. This month, we honor their invaluable contributions to driving our profession forward and bringing health for all to communities across the nation.
