An Asian American in Medicine Goes to Sacramento
Dr. Richard Pan shares his journey as a state senator and pediatrician
We are honored to welcome Dr. Richard Pan, the first AAPI senator of Sacramento, as he joins us for an insightful conversation on leadership representation, systemic discrimination, and actionable steps to create a more equitable healthcare environment for AAPI professionals. Dr. Pan will share his career journey, provide data on Asian Americans in medicine and biomedical research, and discuss how we can better serve our diverse AAPI communities.
About Richard Pan, MD, MPH
Dr. Richard Pan is a physician, educator, and former California State Senator. While serving in the California State Senate, Dr. Pan was the first AAPI senator to represent the City of Sacramento.
Dr. Pan has served in numerous leadership roles within medical professional organizations and has contributed to his community through non-profit work. TIME Magazine named him a “Hero of Vaccine History” for his role in authoring legislation to eliminate non-medical exemptions for vaccines, reinforcing public health protections for schoolchildren.
Dr. Pan chaired the AAPI Legislative Caucus and the Senate Select Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, and in 2021, he led passage of the historic API Equity Budget of $165 million to address anti-Asian hate. Dr. Pan's impact extends across both healthcare and public policy, marking him as a dedicated advocate for the well-being of his community.
