PRESS RELEASE
AAPCHO Celebrates President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
December 20, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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WASHINGTON—The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) issued the following statement on the selection of members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The Commission is composed of 25 members who will advise the President on ways the public, private, and non-profit sectors can work together to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) communities.
Jeffrey Caballero, MPH, executive director, said:
“AAPCHO applauds President Biden’s appointment of key community leaders to his Advisory Commission on AAs and NH/PIs. The Commission has historically been an important link between the White House and AA and NH/PI leaders, and we commend President Biden for selecting commissions that reflect the diversity of our communities.
“AAPCHO is further thrilled with President Biden for selecting Teresita Batayola, Dr. Kimberly Chang, and Victoria Huynh to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission. Their appointments are indicative of the administration’s commitment to improving health care access and delivery for AAs and NH/PIs and the important role of community health centers for communities that are underserved. It is especially important for strong health care voices to be represented on the Commission given the continued health and mental effects of COVID-19 on AAs and NH/PIs, rises in anti-Asian hate, and longstanding health disparities affecting our communities.
“AAPCHO and our member community health centers look forward to partnering with the newly named commissioners and working with them to advance and improve the quality of life of AAs and NH/PIs across the nation.”
Teresita Batayola, MSUA is the president and chief executive officer of International Community Health Services, an AAPCHO member community health center in Seattle. Ms. Batayola is a nationally recognized leader, champion, and advocate for affordable health care and community health.
Kimberly Chang, MD, MPH is a physician and director of human trafficking at Asian Health Services, an AAPCHO member community health center in Oakland, Calif. Dr. Chang is a subject matter expert in violence, abuse, trauma, and public health.
Victoria Huynh is the senior vice president of the Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), an AAPCHO member community health center in Atlanta, Ga. Ms. Huynh is a recognized leader for language access, immigrant rights, cultural competency, and public health.
About AAPCHO
AAPCHO is a national association of community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States, the U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. For more information on AAPCHO, please visit www.aapcho.org.
Contact
Kristine Cecile Alarcon, MPH, (510) 671-5054, kalarcon@aapcho.org