BU Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
Boston University
About BU Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) represents a vital student-led organization within Boston University's Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, continuing a legacy of inclusion that dates back to the school's founding in 1873. Located in Boston, MA, APAMSA embodies the institution's core commitment to diversity, equity, and representation in medicine.
At its heart, APAMSA is a community of passionate medical students, healthcare professionals, and advocates united by a shared commitment to addressing health inequities affecting Asian Pacific American populations. The organization creates an inclusive space where members exchange experiences, build meaningful professional relationships, and develop collective solutions to complex health challenges within their communities.
APAMSA's mission reflects a deep understanding that diversity of culture, race, gender, and perspective is essential to achieving excellence in healthcare. The organization honors Boston University's pioneering history as one of the first coeducational medical schools in the nation, which counted among its alumni the first Black female physician and the first Native American physician in the United States.
Beyond professional networking, APAMSA serves as a powerful advocate for systemic change in healthcare. The organization speaks out on issues that directly impact Asian communities, from tobacco industry targeting to health disparities among medically underserved populations. This activist stance reflects the belief that medical students have both the responsibility and the platform to influence health policy and promote social justice.
For Asian Pacific American medical students in Boston and beyond, APAMSA provides more than membership—it offers mentorship, solidarity, and a forum for developing the cultural awareness and advocacy skills necessary to become physicians who truly serve their communities with respect, compassion, and understanding.