Episodes

Summary: We sit down with H. Nina Kim to explore the delicacy of discussing hepatitis B without trigger, the consequential distrust in healthcare within immigrant communities tied to historical traumas, and the necessity for culturally sensitive approaches. We delve into the responsibility of healthcare providers to empower and educate patients using relatable metaphors and community-led initiatives, emphasizing the importance of dismantling stigma and fostering hope. In our conversation, we und...

Summary: We dive deep into the nuanced world of healthcare interpretation and cultural competency with Michael Byun, exploring the critical role language and cultural understanding play in delivering care to diverse communities. Michael reflects on his experience at ACRS and their 50 years of service, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American Pacific Islander communities, from misconceptions in traditional healing practices to the stigmatization of mental health. We examine the importanc...

Summary: On this episode, we interview Theresa Fujiwara, co-founder of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). We discuss the grassroots origins of ACRS and its pivotal role in providing culturally responsive mental health care to the Asian Pacific Islander community, filling a void left by national institutions. We then talk about the organization's approach, which blends Eastern and Western medicine, and the significance of community engagement in healing from trauma. The episode als...

Summary: In this episode, we continue the conversation with guest Fernanda Mazcot about the challenges of mental health accessibility, focusing on the value of drop-in services in breaking down barriers and making mental health more approachable and inclusive. The discussion also delves into the specific approaches to addressing mental health for the youth in the Latino community, including nonclinical methods such as workshops, book clubs, and cultural events. The conversation addresses sensiti...

Summary: In this episode, we discuss the challenges and barriers individuals from different cultures face in accessing mental health support, featuring guest Fernanda Mazcot. We explore the stigma and perceptions of mental illness within Latino communities, emphasizing the need for better understanding and conversation around mental health. Mazcot shares her personal experience as a caregiver and the impact of limited access to mental health resources, advocating for tailored mental health servi...

Summary: In this solo episode, host Raj Sundar reflects on the past year and the growth of the "Healthcare for Humans" podcast. He shares insights into the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple roles alongside personal responsibilities and celebrating milestones such as reaching 34 episodes and adding new team members. Raj discusses the importance of facilitating meaningful conversations, enhancing communication skills, and learning from guests to understand culturally diverse communities...

This episode features community leaders and prior podcast guests Ahmed Ali, Joseph Seia, Jennifer Huong, James Hang, and Morhaf. The episode delves into the complexities of mental health care within culturally diverse communities, emphasizing the need for culturally competent and trustworthy healthcare professionals and the challenges of language barriers, historical oppression, and cultural stigmas. The conversation covers topics such as the historical context of mental health in immigrant comm...

In this episode, host Raj Sundar engages in a conversation with Devin, a dedicated community organizer within the Filipino-American community, exploring the intersection of nutrition and cultural values within healthcare. Raj and Devin navigate the intricacies of Filipino cuisine, delving into its complexities influenced by various cultures. The discussion extends to the challenges of providing dietary counseling within the Filipino community, considering the unique aspects of their culinary pr...

In this episode, host Raj Sundar explores the history and experiences of Filipino Americans in the healthcare profession with guest Devin Cabanilla. Together, they discuss the complex identities of Filipino Americans shaped by colonization and diaspora and its impact on their contributions to healthcare. The conversation covers waves of Filipino immigration to the U.S., from early 1900s elite students to post-World War II healthcare professionals and war brides. They delve into the clash betwee...

In this episode," we continue our conversation with Tanja Ahlin, a researcher and anthropologist. We delve into the complex dynamics that arise when family members bring their own healthcare knowledge into the mix. As a family medicine physician, I've come to realize the significance of this phenomenon and the valuable insights that family members can offer. However, there is often skepticism or hesitation from healthcare professionals. In this episode, we discuss the importance of fostering tru...

In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans," host Raj Sundar is joined by guest Tanja Ahlin, a researcher and anthropologist, to explore the concept of good care in the context of chronic illness and care collectives. They discuss the limitations of healthcare systems' metrics for measuring success in chronic illness care and emphasize the importance of finding individualized approaches that go beyond clinical outcomes. They delve into the role of technology in facilitating care at a distance, pa...

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, host Raj Sundar interviews Shankar Rai, a pioneering plastic surgeon from Nepal. Shankar shares his incredible journey, from being the sole healthcare provider in a remote area without access to surgical facilities, to becoming the creator of Nepal's first medical residency program for plastic reconstructive surgery. He discusses the importance of long-term support and training for surgeons in their own countries, highlighting the significant impact and ...

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, Dr. Raj Sundar is interviewed by Dr. Anne Liebel on her podcast, 10 Minutes to Better Communication. Dr. Sundar discusses the story behind Healthcare for Humans and his journey to provide better care to culturally diverse communities. He shares his experiences communicating with patients with different values and worldviews and how he turned to podcasting as a medium to explore and learn about culture in a nuanced and engaging way. Through storytelling a...

In today's episode, we have a special treat for you as we recap the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) held in Calgary, Canada. This conference, hosted by the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and community scholars to discuss and address the unique challenges refugees and immigrants face in accessing healthcare. Joining me today are a diverse group of guests, including Duncan Reid from the International Medicine Clini...

James Achuli is a refugee student studying International Relations at the University of British Columbia. He first arrived in Calgary, Canada in February 2022 as a refugee. At the immigration office, James was asked about his identity and where he came from. He shared his experiences of being born during the civil war in Sudan, growing up as an internally displaced person, and witnessing the destruction caused by war. Despite the hardships, James was determined to receive an education and recei...

In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans" from the North American Refugee Conference, Dr. Raj Sundar records guest Boban Sojanovic, a Serbian Canadian peace and LGBTQ+ human activist, to share his incredible journey of resilience and hope. B Boban faced death threats in his homeland and had to flee to Canada, where he dealt with melanoma and the suicide of his father. Through poetry and therapy, Boban found healing and transformed his pain into a source of strength. Dr. Sundar emphasizes the i...

This episode features Dr. Suzanne Barakat, a family physician and executive director of the Health and Human Rights Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Barakat shares her experiences and expertise in working with refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons, shedding light on the terminology, history, and challenges these marginalized communities face. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling to create empathy and change, discussing the emotional toll on storyt...

Aliyah Haq is an experienced registered dietitian with a career spanning 25 years. As the former president of Nutrition First, a prominent public health organization, she spearheaded a nationwide program emphasizing the importance of holistic nutrition education. In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans," host Dr. Raj Sundar and guest Aliyah Haq delve into the topic of culturally sensitive nutrition counseling. They stress the importance of building trust and understanding with patients, ackno...

Join me, Dr. Raj Sundar, and my colleague Maha Razzaki, as we navigate the complex terrain of cultural competence, humility, and safety in healthcare. Listen in as we delve into the differences between these concepts and their impact on providing culturally responsive care. Maha shares her experiences as a Program Manager for a Member Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program, and we discuss the importance of listening to diverse community voices to build meaningful connections. (0:00:00) - Cult...

When I first met Dr. Ponce Gonzalez, I was struck by her passion for the Latinx community and her dedication to making a difference in their lives. In today's episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with her to discuss the unique challenges Latina workers face in the healthcare system and the complexities of the Latinx community. As the founder and executive director of the Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants and Refugees, Dr. Ponce shared her story of being born in Nicaragua, th...

Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast How can we make sense of suffering and create meaning in our lives through illness narratives? Join us as we welcome our special guest Odette, a family medicine physician who specializes in caring for the Latinx community, particularly undocumented individuals. In this captivating conversation, Odette shares her personal experiences with illness narratives in Gua...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tagoipah, a second-generation Cham refugee from the greater Seattle area. Tagoipah shares the important distinction between refugees and immigrants and how their families and community were forced to flee Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge era. We also explore the rich history and identity of the Cham people, an indigenous minority group from Southeast Asia, and how their long history has been shaped by various empires and assimi...

In this episode, we dive deep into the Afro-Latino Latinx identity, as experienced by Sandra Huber from Panama to the United States, where her identity shifted from being simply Panamanian to being labeled as Hispanic, Latina, and eventually Afro-Latina. We discuss the challenges of navigating racial and coloristic oppression within Indian and Latin American communities, as well as within broader American society. We also touch on the importance of acknowledging and accepting one's blackness an...

In this episode, I share the inspiring journey of Dr. Duran, a family medicine resident who immigrated to the US from Mexico at the age of 14. Despite facing obstacles such as being undocumented and not having a Social Security number, Dr. Duran pursued higher education with the help of supportive individuals like her high school teacher, Mrs. Holland. We delve into the challenges Dr. Duran faced in financing her medical education and navigating the DACA program, as well as the impact it has on ...