Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

MUSC celebrates the many contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members this month. Check out the resources & features gathered by members of MUSC's community and learn more about this month. 

We invite you to mark AAPI Heritage Month this year by reflecting on the national theme, Visible Together–to recognize that Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) does not describe a singular population or demographic, but rather a coalition that is powerful for its vastness and complexity. Let us honor the historic efforts that have led terms such as AA and NHPI, AAPI, and APA to become more commonly known and used, and commit to empowering all who are encompassed within this coalition. This year and into the future, we strive to be Visible Together.

If you are a member of the MUSC community and would like to join an employee resource group focused on elevating AAPI culture, heritage and experience please contact Michelle Hill, hillmic@musc.edu, for more information. 

Featured MUSC Community Members

Punam Patel
External Affairs Director – Regional Health Network
Office of Strategy and External Affairs

• What is your current role, and how long have you been a member of the MUSC community?
  I currently serve as the External Affairs Director for the Regional Health Network and have been with MUSC since 2021. 
• How do you define your cultural identity? In other words, what is your cultural background or heritage?
  I feel like a global citizen but identify as an Indian American.  My mother was born and raised in India.  My father was born in India and raised in Malawi.  They migrated to the United States while pregnant with me to ensure that I could realize the American dream and have a better quality of life.  Born and raised in South Carolina, I’ve had many local and international cultures influence who I am today.
• What do you most appreciate about your cultural heritage/identity?
  My multi-national background has allowed me to empathize with the community, our caregivers, patients and their families more impactfully. In addition, I appreciate the sense of family and belonging that is embedded within the Asian American culture.  We have an unspoken way of taking care of each other and striving for excellence together. 
• Please share any insights, advice or reflections as an AAPI member of the MUSC family.
  United Nations recently announced that India is now the most populous nation in the world leading to the health care workforce continuing to diversify with an increase of care team members identifying as Asian American & Pacific Islander across all functions from medicine to technological innovation to administration and beyond.  Locally, it is vitally important that this segment of the population be acknowledged, culturally understood and clinically supported so they too have the privilege of thriving alongside their colleagues, neighbors and friends. 
• What is your favorite quote?
  'I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.' – Mother Teresa

 

Franklin R. Delacruz BSN, RNIII
9 West Neurology/Neurosurgery

• What is your current role, and how long have you been a member of the MUSC community?
  I am currently in a bedside Staff RNIII role on 9 West Neurology/ Neurosurgery floor Main Hospital. I started out 9 years ago at MUSC as a Stroke Nurse Case Manager.
• How do you define your cultural identity? In other words, what is your cultural background or heritage?
  I am proudly Filipino (Asian)/American Citizen, born in the Philippines.
• What do you most appreciate about your cultural heritage/ identity?
  Filipinos are known for having a cheerful personality. I love coming to work with a genuine, heartfelt smile in my face. We also known to have a strong family ties. This values help me to take care of my patient as if they are my own family.
• Please share any insights, advice or reflections as an AAPI member of the MUSC family.
  Throughout my Professional Career as a RN in the US. I have been using 3 core traits that associated with Filipino culture such as Hard work, Persistence & Optimism. I believe that MUSC provides the same.
• What is your favorite quote?
  “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”- Benjamin Franklin