Applauding Our Asian American Members: Endocrine News Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In honor of National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Endocrine News reached out to several of our U.S.-based Asian members to get their thoughts on their careers, accomplishments, goals, and even their challenges, as well as advice they have for any young Asian American endocrinologists just beginning their careers.

Since 2009, when President Barack Obama signed Proclamation 8369, the month of May has been formally designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Then on April 30, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Proclamation 10189, recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

However, the history of this commemoration goes back a few decades. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution that would designate the first 10 days of May as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week (House Joint Resolution 1007). In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a bill that extended the weeklong celebration to encompass the entire month and two years later, May was officially designated Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

In January of this year, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, the premier organization representing Asian American, Native Hawai’in, and Pacific Islander employees in the federal government announced that the theme of these year’s celebration is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” which is a perfect fit for the Endocrine Society members that we spoke with since innovation never stops in the field of endocrinology.

Endocrine News wanted to speak to some of the Asian American and Pacific Islander members of the Endocrine Society who have made so many valuable contributions to the science and practice of endocrinology, as well as the Endocrine Society’s progress and success. However, inn planning this issue and this article, it became obvious very quickly than one issue per year will in no way adequately cover the breadth of contributions by our members who belong to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Those members we spoke to are Jewel Banik, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Blau Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.; Leonard Cheung, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y.; Ketan G. Goswami, MD, partner, North Atlanta Endocrinology and Diabetes, PC, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Milay Luis Lam, MD, FTOS, division chief and medical director, Meritus Endocrinology, Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown Md.; Angela Leung, MD, MSc, associate professor of medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angles David Geffen School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System; Alan Malabanan, MD, CCD, clinical associate professor of medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine and Endocrine Clinic director at Boston Medical Center., Boston, Mass.; Eric Ocampo, MD, FACP, endocrinologist, Avera Tyler, Tyler, Minn.; and Anthony Yin, MD, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Division, associate program director, CPMC Endocrinology Fellowship Program, San Francisco, Calif.

First things first: What made you choose the field of endocrinology?

Banik: For my graduate studies, I was determined to join a lab that is related to neuroscience overall and does high-throughput sequencing. Unfortunately, the PI, who was my first choice on my list, retired in that semester when I started my graduate school. So, I was looking for an alternative lab that does brain research as well as next generation sequencing. Fortunately, one day, one of the department faculty members told me that Dr. MacNicol and Dr. Childs’ labs got a new R01 grant and were looking for new students. I eventually did my rotation in Dr. MacNicol’s lab, joined there, and started working on the pituitary gland.

“Possessing a certain cultural sensitivity is perhaps more crucial in the practice of endocrinology than in other fields. I say this because, in order to effectively treat many of our patients, particularly those with diabetes, it is often imperative to understand a patient’s perspective and outlook, acknowledge the impact of culture on healthcare decisions, to appreciate what he or she is capable and willing to do.” 

Anthony Yin, MD, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Division, associate program director, CPMC Endocrinology Fellowship Program, San Francisco, Calif.

Cheung: Truth be told, I first got involved in endocrine research as a coincidence! I continue to choose endocrinology because of the positive and supportive colleagues and mentors in the field. My PhD project studied signaling pathways in the pituitary gland, but I had never learnt much about endocrinology before that and it was the first I even heard about the pituitary gland! 

Goswami: I had no idea what endocrinology was until high school. When I was in ninth grade, my 10-year-old sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Nobody knew what was going on; medical care in India was not as robust in those days as it is now. We almost lost her to serious diabetic ketoacidosis. Life was never the same for my family afterwards. Growing up in a meager lower-middle-class home, my simple parents faced a considerable challenge in raising a fragile child. I watched as they struggled to care for their daughter on a limited income. They invested their sole focus and whatever financial resources they had into caring for their child. They slowly learned, giving daily insulin injections, boiling syringes, and needles, and checking urine glucose with Benedict’s solution. Many doctors these days will have no idea what that solution is! This was my shocking introduction to the world of diabetes and endocrinology. I am proud to say my sister is now a child psychiatrist in Florida!

Lam: For me, it was very personal. Both of my parents had diabetes; my mom had gestational diabetes and then developed type 2 diabetes, so I grew up seeing her trying to control her disease. At the time of her diagnosis, and because we are from Peru, the treatments were very limited. When there were options for using metformin, she had developed kidney disease, so she was only able to use the very old sulfonylureas which caused a lot of hypoglycemic episodes. Sadly, I watched as both her health and my father’s health declined. So, when I graduated medical school, I had a different perspective. I had already navigated healthcare as a patient with both my parents, so I knew what I wanted my patients to avoid, and how I would have liked my parents to have been treated. Unfortunately, they are both no longer with me, but my family’s experience taught me how much patients and families of patients with diabetes can suffer. So, when I meet my patients, I want them to feel that they can count on me as an advocate for their health. 

Leung: Initially, I was actually interested in pursuing a purely clinical career and wanted to be a primary care provider in a local community setting to the underserved. It was a chance encounter that I happened to sign up for some endocrine rotations as part of the primary care track of my residency program. Through those experiences, I was able to meet several attendings who sparked an enduring interest to instead pivot to endocrinology, and thyroidology in particular.

Malabanan: I had actually chosen primary care initially and had started my career doing locum tenens, working in a variety of practices around the country. What I really enjoyed in primary care was forging ongoing relationships and helping patients with chronic problems. However, I did not find primary care practice satisfying, in that I was uncomfortable knowing a little about a lot. I was much happier knowing a lot about a little and found myself drawn to endocrinology. In addition, there was a personal reason in that there was a strong history of type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease in my family.

“At the start, I thought that success was reflected by the number of letters that you would be able to add after your name. I later realized that having MD, FACP, etc., after my name was okay, but not really that fulfilling. Although it may sound corny, but actually helping people, making them feel better, seeing them happy, and realizing that they are recommending me to their relatives all makes me feel successful.”

Eric Ocampo, MD, FACP, endocrinologist, Avera Tyler, Tyler, Minn.

Ocampo: For the longest time, I thought I always wanted to go into OB since I was fascinated with the thought of being a part of a child’s birth.  Life circumstances, however, guided me eventually to endocrinology.  

I am a foreign medical graduate (University of the Philippines, College of Medicine). At the time of application for internship in the U.S., surgical internships were quite limited for FMGs. I applied for internal medicine and was able to secure a position at the Montefiore Medical Center. At the start of internship, cardiology seemed interesting. This specialty became less appealing since it seemed too busy and hectic for me.

Going through training, I was exposed to endocrinologists who seemed very smart, calm, and helpful. A resident I looked up to (Christine Rest, MD), became an endocrinology fellow at Montefiore. The head of Endocrinology at that time (Martin Surks, MD) became one of my attendings. I was hooked after I did my endocrinology elective rotation. I was fortunate to get accepted at Montefiore Endocrinology also under Dr. Surks. I can honestly say that I do not regret that decision at all.

What was one of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career?

Banik: How to deal with failures! In science, failure is a daily life scenario, and figuring out how to cope with it is a real struggle, particularly in the beginning. Eventually, I learned how to deal with failures with reasoning and alternative strategies and overcame these challenges, and I believe everyone can do that. To all the emerging scientists, if you are struggling with your experiments, do not worry. I want to assure you that you are going to overcome it soon.

Cheung: While I’m thankful that I’ve not faced particularly challenging situations during my career, I think we can and are all working together to ensure that current and future endocrinologists face fewer challenges as time goes on. My experiences remind me to continue my mentors’ positive attitudes to foster the future of the endocrine and scientific fields.

Goswami: I knew endocrinology was my end goal even before medical school. My path to endocrinology took an unexpected turn when my wife and I, both physicians, came to the United States on an exchange visa. We had to undergo a lengthy process to obtain permanent resident status, which delayed my fellowship training by five years. However, those years in rural Michigan provided invaluable experience in rural healthcare. Engaging with people whose healthcare expectations were very basic reinforced my sense of service, reminiscent of my upbringing in a small farming village in India.

Lam: Leaving my parents and siblings in Peru to come to the United States to complete my medical training. I knew it was something I needed to do to have a better career and be able to be a better clinician and scientist, but moving to another country alone was very difficult. There were many times that I wanted to go back home, but my mom would encourage to continue my journey. It was all worth it, but it still didn’t make it easier. 

“The old saying, ‘I would rather remain quiet and be thought a fool than speak and remove all the doubt,’ is the surest way to slow your learning and growth. It is important to ask questions but also give answers and actively participate in your education. In addition, sharing your experiences, particularly as an Asian American, is vital in enriching everyone else’s education.”

Alan Malabanan, MD, CCD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine and Endocrine Clinic Director at Boston Medical Center, Boston, Mass.

Malabanan: My parents, as immigrants from the Philippines, saw the American dream as the key to success, but primarily measured financially. My father worked hard to provide for his family, often being on-call every other day for many years, making sure that I had freedom from educational debt. My father had hoped that I would become a surgeon and build on his financial success in the United States. My challenge was forging a path in academic medicine that satisfied my own personal needs while honoring my parents’ sacrifices and hopes.

Ocampo: As I mentioned, I am an FMG, and initially had no intentions of training in the U.S. Peer pressure made me follow my good friends in going through the process — taking certifying exams, sending out letters, and applying to internal medicine programs (>100!), interviewing all around the U.S. So, moving to another country and trying to adapt/adjust to another culture definitely were very big challenges. Of course, another challenge was landing a job that was financially and mentally fulfilling.

What has been a noticeable success that has further defined your career?

Banik: A noticeable success that has further defined my career was spearheading a groundbreaking research project that led to the elucidation of a complex bifunctional role for Musashi1 in the control of pituitary cell function. The recognition of this work helped me obtain a postdoc position at Stanford. 

Goswami: Success as a physician is hard to quantify. For me, it’s about earning the trust of the person sitting across from me, looking me in the eyes. If I’ve earned their trust, that’s my greatest success. I will often run into my patients in public places; hearing them praise my compassion when they interact with my family fills me with pride. If I can sleep guilt-free at night, I know I’ve done well.

Lam: I think all the events that happened in my life have contributed to where I am now. I believe we need to be where we need to be, and that everything teaches us something and defines us better. I have thought of many people that I have to thank for giving me an opportunity. My medical school, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (San Martín de Porres, Peru), was always supportive during medical school. Celso E. Gomez-Sanchez, MD, and Elise P. Gomez-Sanchez, PhD, helped me come to the U.S. and gave me the chance to do basic science research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Miss. I learned a lot during those three years, and I also met a lot of cool endocrinologists while working in the lab. My fellowship department head at the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who is now my friend, Mary Ann Banerji, MD, was always pushing me, and letting me try new therapies. She was always supportive while I was a fellow, and that made me realize how I wanted to be when I eventually became an attending. 

I got involved with the Endocrine Society when I was still a resident and when I thought I wanted a research career. I was fortunate enough to participate in the FLARE (Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology) program. All the people I met in that meeting are still in my life and have helped in some way with where I am now. I moved to Pittsburgh to work at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, but unfortunately had to move couple of years later, and step out of an academic role. I was again fortunate to apply and got chosen for the EXCEL (Excellence in Clinical Endocrinology Leadership) program as that year that I went to the EXCEL forum, I transitioned my career from academia to a hospital-based position where I was offered the division chief position and they let me build up the inpatient diabetes service, where I am medical director. 

“Like with any patient encounter, I think being able to identify with and relate to the patient on a personal level can sometimes enrich the provider-patient relationship. In my clinical work, I am cognizant that my Asian heritage and awareness of cultural customs may be helpful for some patients.”

Angela Leung, MD, MSc, associate professor of medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angles David Geffen School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Leung: I have been extremely fortunate to have had not just one, but several notable mentors so far in my career. They have embodied the definition of being an excellent mentor – they have not just supported me by providing wise career development advice but have tangibly helped promote my career by introducing me to established leaders in the field at annual meetings of the Endocrine Society and other professional conferences, suggested me for key career-building roles, and overall helped facilitate exposure to important opportunities.

Malabanan: My selection as Endocrinology Fellowship Program training director for the Beth Israel Deaconess/Joslin Diabetes Center program has been important in defining my career in education. I have had the opportunity to teach medical students, internal medicine residents, and endocrinology fellows within the Harvard Medical School umbrella. I had had opportunity to hone my teaching skills, using the resources and expertise within the Rabkin medical educational fellowship, eventually developing a patient safety and quality improvement (PS/QI) curriculum. I have been able to use my experience in PS/QI nationally within the Endocrine Society and the American College of Graduate Medical Education. It has also provided advantage in my current leadership role as the endocrine clinical director at Boston Medical Center.

Ocampo: At the start, I thought that success was reflected by the number of letters that you would be able to add after your name. I later realized that having MD, FACP, etc., after my name was okay, but not really that fulfilling. Although it may sound corny, but actually helping people, making them feel better, seeing them happy, and realizing that they are recommending me to their relatives all makes me feel successful. 

Does being Asian bring with it any unique insights for your work?

Banik: Being Asian certainly brings with it many unique insights that influence my approach to work. For instance, I grew up in an environment that values collectivism, perseverance, and respect for authority that helped me understand the value of individual contribution to a greater cause, the impact of long-term goals over immediate outcomes, the requirement for a thorough research and meticulous attention to the task, and the influence of a great mentor in our lives. I try to integrate these values into my work regularly and make my work noble.

Goswami: Dispensing advice is simple, but respecting the path paved by those who came before us is crucial. Those path breakers have shaped the image of Asian physicians as deeply respected members of the community. We have a responsibility to uphold these standards. Be authentic, passionate, and compassionate. See the humanity in others and respect their trust in you. Admit what you don’t know and be willing to say, “I don’t know.” While humility can be challenging as a subspecialist, it is worthwhile. Smile and smile a bit more — love will be reciprocated.

I got involved with the Endocrine Society when I was still a resident and when I thought I wanted a research career. I was fortunate enough to participate in the FLARE (Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology) program. All the people I met in that meeting are still in my life and have helped in some way with where I am now.”

Milay Luis Lam, MD, FTOS, division chief and medical director, Meritus Endocrinology, Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown, Md.

Lam: I was born and raised in Peru. Three of my grandparents immigrated from China to Peru when they were very young, so both my parents were Chinese Peruvian, as am I. I was a minority in Peru, which gives you another view of the world, perhaps more “understanding” toward others. I guess being Asian/Hispanic gave me a work ethic as well as a degree of fellowship. I feel being Asian Hispanic made me stronger in the sense that I grew up hearing from my mom that I had to be strong and not let people walk over me. There was/is this view that Asian women are small and quiet and hence people would try to step over me. My mom always told me, you don’t necessarily need to be loud to make people hear you. 

Leung: Like with any patient encounter, I think being able to identify with and relate to the patient on a personal level can sometimes enrich the provider-patient relationship. In my clinical work, I am cognizant that my Asian heritage and awareness of cultural customs may be helpful for some patients. I think that building that rapport has been helpful to some patients, who hopefully feel more at ease and understood in sometimes navigating a stressful diagnosis or developing a complex management plan of the medical issue.

Malabanan: This question assumes that there is a single Asian diaspora, which is inaccurate given the immense cultural, linguistic, and historical diversity that exists within the continent of Asia. Asia is home to numerous ethnic groups with unique traditions, languages, and histories. I am Filipino, itself a melting pot of differing historical and cultural influences: Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American. Like many Filipinos, my parents came to the U.S. already knowing English, a consequence of the Philippines previously being a U.S. colony, which has facilitated my adapting to life in the U.S. I would say that the insight for my work comes from my standing as a naturalized U.S. immigrant, not purely as an Asian. While I have strived to blend into the U.S. population, I recognize many cultural habits and beliefs that may impact my patients’ interaction with and trust in the U.S. healthcare system.

Ocampo: At the start, I felt that coming from a foreign country was a disadvantage. I felt that I was different. I have experienced instances of discrimination (e.g., a patient saying that they would prefer to see a Caucasian doctor in the general medical clinic). I had to do a lot of adjusting — from the way I talked to the way I interacted with other people. I truly thought it was a big mistake making that big move at first. 

Later on, instead of feeling different, I started to feel “unique.” This uniqueness gave me the confidence to thrive and grow, since I realized that I did have something special to offer. I had some exposure to Eastern Medicine or non-traditional medicine. Although I definitely do not use this in my present practice, I do understand why some patients turn to this at times. I am able to view things from a different perspective that can sometimes help educate patients in dealing with their medical concerns. 

“Dispensing advice is simple, but respecting the path paved by those who came before us is crucial. Those path breakers have shaped the image of Asian physicians as deeply respected members of the community. We have a responsibility to uphold these standards. Be authentic, passionate, and compassionate.”

Ketan G. Goswami, MD, partner, North Atlanta Endocrinology and Diabetes, PC, Lawrenceville, Ga.

I also learned that discrimination is not really a “me” problem since despite the negativity, I knew I always remained respectful and understanding. Asian patients definitely seem more at ease with me. Filipino patients are ecstatic that I can converse in our native tongue. 

Yin: Possessing a certain cultural sensitivity is perhaps more crucial in the practice of endocrinology than in other fields. I say this because in order to effectively treat many of our patients, particularly those with diabetes, it is often imperative to understand a patient’s perspective and outlook, acknowledge the impact of culture on healthcare decisions, to appreciate what he or she is capable and willing to do. It is often more involved and nuanced than simply writing a prescription for a certain medication in accordance with the latest clinical practice guidelines.  

Having grown up in a pretty traditional Chinese family structure myself, I feel I share some very deep cultural values with my Asian patients. These fundamentally concern the importance of family, and the responsibility children have for their parents and elders in general. Many children of my older patients – particularly those for whom language stands as a “barrier” – are highly involved in their parents’ medical care; I have come to know these family members very well over years. The patient-physician relationship in these cases intimately involves the child (or other family member), who is an integral part of this relationship. I feel it is one of my greatest responsibilities to work in a partnership with these family members, so that they are well informed and feel comfortable, and hopefully even empowered, by my advice and recommendations.

At the height of the pandemic, there was a tragic increase in Asian hate crimes, particularly where I live and practice (San Francisco Bay Area). Many of my elderly Asian patients conveyed their fears to me about this situation. The trepidation many of my patients harbored — even to simply step outside their homes — was clear to me and often had a direct impact on their physical and emotional health. I took these fears personally because I could easily picture my own parents in their shoes. This was a highly unfortunate reality for many Asian individuals with chronic disease during these extremely challenging years. I learned to offer what support I could and work within the framework of what each patient was comfortable doing, even if not ideal or “optimal” under these circumstances.

“I hope that young Asian American endocrinologists as well as those of other communities and identities know that there will always be colleagues, mentors, and a Society that support and advocate for your long-term success in the clinical and scientific fields. Your individual experiences and perspectives can be a powerful force to inform your actions. I hope the excitement of science, medicine and endocrinology will always be your drive as you develop your career goals.”

Leonard Cheung, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y.

Beyond being Asian myself, more broadly, as a member of the “minority population,” questions often arise in my mind when I am confronted by the atypical and “non textbook” features of some my patients who are also from minority backgrounds. Why does my middle-aged female patient from mainland China who has a normal body mass index and no other features of metabolic syndrome ostensibly have type 2 diabetes? Should I be looking for deeper answers, and not simply accept things at face value? As much as we strive to practice evidence-based medicine, there are still many areas for which there are limited data for individuals from many different ethnic groups — not just those with Asian heritage. Many of the well cited studies and landmark trials on which we base much of our current clinical practice have extremely small percentages of non-White participants, which significantly limits the universality of their findings and conclusions. I confess, this is always in the back of my mind, both as a provider who often bases my recommendations for clinical care on these data, but also as a “minority” individual myself, for whom the clinical questions may be directly applicable in terms of my own health one day.

What role has the Endocrine Society played in your career as an endocrinologist?

Banik: My journey with the Endocrine Society has been fantastic so far. I have benefitted so much from this community that I cannot imagine my current position without its support. For instance, my first in-person ENDO meeting was back in 2022 in Atlanta, Ga., and the second one in 2023 in Chicago, IL. In the first meeting, I was awarded an Early Career Forum travel award, and my abstract got the “Outstanding Abstract Award.” In the second meeting, my late-breaking abstract was selected for an oral presentation. These achievements have helped me strengthen my profile significantly to advance in my career.

Cheung: The Endocrine Society has played such a huge role in shaping my career as an endocrinology researcher and it has been my professional home since my graduate studies. It has provided so many opportunities for my career development and progression, from travel grants to attend ENDO to reviewer opportunities to Society committee involvement.

Goswami: The Endocrine Society is my mothership! It has been my primary source for updating my knowledge, discussing ideas with colleagues, and learning about authentic endocrinology practices. During my early years, the Endocrine Society was — and remains — my most trusted guide. Dr. Romesh Khardori, my program director at Southern Illinois University, ensured that all fellows attended and presented at the Endocrine Society meetings, for which I am grateful to him.

Lam:  I have been involved with Endocrine Society since I was a resident and have had the opportunity of participating in several committees. I have always felt supported by the Endocrine Society and feel it’s my primary society. I have met marvelous people that work at the Endocrine Society that have molded my career in some way. 

Leung: I’m grateful to the Endocrine Society for their global presence and success in bringing together the endocrine community at large, whether it be clinicians, researchers, or those who bridge these two important components of the field. Since attending my first ENDO meeting to present a poster abstract (when I was second-year internal medicine resident), I have attended nearly all the Society’s annual meetings since, and always look forward to hearing the latest science and connecting with colleagues and friends. I have continued to be actively involved in the Endocrine Society through the years, serving in various roles, and look forward to new leadership opportunities with my joining the board of directors soon.

Malabanan: I am deeply indebted to the Endocrine Society’s leaders for entrusting me with committee membership. As such, I have been able to meet and network with many smart and talented endocrinologists and educators and help shape some of Society’s educational offerings.

Ocampo: The Endocrine Society has been quite helpful overall, and I appreciate the guidance. I often refer to the Society guidelines in dealing with patients presenting with different endocrine concerns. I enjoy going to the yearly conferences because it’s always awesome hearing from the different experts in their fields. Plus, it’s also great seeing peers and mentors in a more relaxed social setting. The Endocrine Society also helped me prepare for the certifying board exams with ESAP and board review sessions.

What advice would you give to young Asian American endocrinologists just starting their careers?

Banik: Conferences are the only places where people from every corner of the world with different backgrounds come under one roof and share their science. I would highly recommend attending conferences as much as they can and make an active effort to build networks with people from different backgrounds. These experiences have always enriched my knowledge of the field and strengthened my network, and these two qualities are required for a successful career in science.

Cheung: I hope that young Asian American endocrinologists as well as those of other communities and identities know that there will always be colleagues, mentors, and a Society that support and advocate for your long-term success in the clinical and scientific fields. Your individual experiences and perspectives can be a powerful force to inform your actions. I hope the excitement of science, medicine and endocrinology will always be your drive as you develop your career goals. I’m so delighted that the Endocrine Society is actively engaged in commemorating Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Endocrine News and recognizing the contributions of these communities to the advancement of endocrinology.

Goswami: Being of Asian, particularly Indian, descent has been advantageous. I must acknowledge the hard work of Indian physicians who came before me, who have established a reputation for intelligence, compassion, and respect toward patients. Coming from a culture that values the elderly and the vulnerable helps me connect with patients on a deeper level. While there have been instances of discrimination based on my ethnicity, I recognize that such incidents can occur anywhere.

Lam: Advocate for yourself and for your patients. 

Ocampo: Simplest advice is to do what will make them happy, while trying to be very patient at the same time. I realize this may not be easy at all, more so at the start of any career. One may need to make some compromises since the ideal job doesn’t land on our lap right away. It is also very important to remain true to oneself and realize one’s limitations. I also want to let them know that it is absolutely possible to be happy working as an endocrinologist.

Malabanan: I would say that the old saying, “I would rather remain quiet and be thought a fool than speak and remove all the doubt,” is the surest way to slow your learning and growth. It is important to ask questions but also give answers and actively participate in your education. In addition, sharing your experiences, particularly as an Asian American, is vital in enriching everyone else’s education.

Yin: It may sound cliché, but do not forget your roots. You bring more to the exam room, operating/procedure room, or conference room than simply your credentials and medical knowledge. The other thing I will say to young Asian American endocrinologists, particularly those who are in residency and fellowship training, is to remember your patients see YOU, not your attendings, as their physician. Patients often choose to continue care with a provider based on perceived relatability, as much as on a provider’s experience and medical knowledge; this relatability may be based on race/ethnicity, perceived cultural commonality, or a number of other factors. I think generally this is something to embrace, but also remember that the trust your patients put in you is not something to be taken for granted but should ultimately be something you earn.

“In science, failure is a daily life scenario, and figuring out how to cope with it is a real struggle, particularly in the beginning. Eventually, I learned how to deal with failures with reasoning and alternative strategies and overcame these challenges, and I believe everyone can do that. To all the emerging scientists, if you are struggling with your experiments, do not worry. I want to assure you that you are going to overcome it soon.”

Jewel Banik, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Blau Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.

Finally, since this is the issue that will be in Boston for ENDO 2024, what are you most looking forward to at this year’s annual meeting?

Banik: I am excited and looking forward to all those professional development workshops and special interest group meetings. Poster sessions and symposiums are also my favorites. Additionally, social interaction sessions are also good hotspots for meeting many known and unknown people around the world. Last year, the whole meeting was excited about GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy); I am excited to witness what this year will go wild about at ENDO!

Cheung: I’m so excited to attend ENDO 2024 and I’m especially appreciative to have the chance to present some of our work as a new lab. I’ve not attended ENDO for a few years, so I have missed the atmosphere where everyone is so engaged in endocrinology — new ideas and collaborations always develop there! ENDO is the one time a year I get to see many of our endocrine colleagues from across the U.S. and the world, all of whom have been so instrumental throughout my career and the progression of endocrine science!

Lam:  I always look forward to seeing what the rest of my friends and colleagues are doing with their science and personal lives. I look forward each ENDO, not only to hear the awesome science, but to see friends from when I was at SUNY, or at UPMC, as well as friends I’ve met during my involvement with the different committees. It’s always exciting!

Malabanan: As we continue our return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, I am most looking forward to catching up with colleagues and fellows who I have helped train and whom I have not seen in a very long time. I am hoping that they will see ENDO 2024 in Boston as a bit of a homecoming.

Ocampo: I’ve missed just a few meetings since being an endocrinologist for more than 25 years now. As always, I am looking forward to the various endocrine updates and the always-interesting Meet the Professor sessions. I am eager to find out who of my former colleagues from work and training I will be bumping into. Personally, I’m also researching for a place where I can get a gluten-free lobster roll.  I love Boston!

Newman is the executive editor of Endocrine News. He has been with the Endocrine Society since 2013.