Joseph Pangelinan, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of Cultural Awareness and Diversity at Washington University in Saint Louis
Chuuk
Saipan
Saipan
What is your field of study/specialty?
Medical Health and Education (diversity, equity and inclusion work)
What inspired you to pursue this work?
I have always been interested in 3 areas. The 3 areas that I focus on are culture, education, and mental health. Growing up in the Pacific our culture is always a part of our identity. Education is key to many people's careers and career advancement. Working hard and finding mentors is another aspect that is very important to me. I look at mental health from different standpoints. First is a resilience standpoint. Coming from a small minority and being around larger groups you have to be firm in your identity (who you are and where you want to go). We have to be resilient and hopeful in the future and our goals, and feel like we have a purpose in what we do. My job is where culture, education, and mental health come together.
What is something you wish you knew when starting out in this field/ advice you would give NHPI students interested in pursuing this type of career?
First, having an interest in the area is an important first step. Be in touch with who you are. What has helped me is the ability to have a true understanding of who I am and being comfortable in my identity of being an islander. Recognize that most places you go, you will be part of the numerical minority. Knowing that, I am aware that I am there because I deserve to be there. I can work just as hard and I have ambitions just as large (if not more). Work hard. Getting and finding mentors early on who help you learn to navigate these systems is important. Think about how your work and studying make the world a better place and the bonus is using that to help our people.
Medical Health and Education (diversity, equity and inclusion work)
What inspired you to pursue this work?
I have always been interested in 3 areas. The 3 areas that I focus on are culture, education, and mental health. Growing up in the Pacific our culture is always a part of our identity. Education is key to many people's careers and career advancement. Working hard and finding mentors is another aspect that is very important to me. I look at mental health from different standpoints. First is a resilience standpoint. Coming from a small minority and being around larger groups you have to be firm in your identity (who you are and where you want to go). We have to be resilient and hopeful in the future and our goals, and feel like we have a purpose in what we do. My job is where culture, education, and mental health come together.
What is something you wish you knew when starting out in this field/ advice you would give NHPI students interested in pursuing this type of career?
First, having an interest in the area is an important first step. Be in touch with who you are. What has helped me is the ability to have a true understanding of who I am and being comfortable in my identity of being an islander. Recognize that most places you go, you will be part of the numerical minority. Knowing that, I am aware that I am there because I deserve to be there. I can work just as hard and I have ambitions just as large (if not more). Work hard. Getting and finding mentors early on who help you learn to navigate these systems is important. Think about how your work and studying make the world a better place and the bonus is using that to help our people.