Healthcare Heroes: Anita Chun, MPH
What is your position at Torrance Memorial?
I am the Community Services Coordinator in the Health Education department. But like many of us working at a hospital, we wear many hats. I interface with the public at community events, represent the hospital at meetings and assist other departments with projects. I manage a community partners list, create and build new partnerships with organizations in our community and often times you’ll find me working at HealthLinks.
What made you want to work at Torrance Memorial?
In my previous job I worked with seniors and health insurance for all of Los Angeles County. I wanted to work at Torrance Memorial because I wanted to work with the community as a whole and not just with seniors. Although I still work with a lot of older community members, it is refreshing to work with all age ranges in one service area.
What experience or person influenced you to choose your career?
I have always felt the need to serve those that are less fortunate, and I attribute this to my family’s influence, but especially my mother. She worked as an educational aide for LAUSD for over 30 years and saw many families without basic necessities, homeless or faced with incredible challenges. We would give what we could to ease their burden. This has stuck with me all my life. Public service is deeply ingrained in me and will continue to drive my professional career.
How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
Much like many Asian and Asian American families, there is a sense of duty and responsible to take care of each other, respect your elders, work hard and get an education. My large, extended Chinese family probably mirrors the same values as other families too. Since I spent time with a lot of my older relatives growing up, I’m sure their experiences shaped my fondness with working with the older population and community in general.
Does your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?
Our languages are important to me. In my family, we speak a few different dialects of Cantonese, Spanish and English. As children of immigrants, we had to be the bridge between our monolingual elders and our English-speaking relatives. Many of our first-generation relatives discouraged their children from learning Chinese because of their experiences of being bullied and ostracized. But I grew up speaking three languages and thought that all families spoke different languages other than English. Little did I know what a gift it was to be able to communicate with other populations and cultures as an adult.
What does AAPI Month mean to you?
AAPI Month means a celebration of all diverse cultures within the AAPI community. It’s a month to celebrate people making an impact in their communities and introducing others to our culture, traditions and languages.
What is your favorite dish that represents your culture?
My culture incorporated the flavors of Los Angeles and the melting pots of its people. I would say my favorite dish is plantains. Plantains are a type of banana and is largely eaten in Latin America. Plantains have been cooked in my family for four generations from their time living in Cuba. Noodles are a close second. Noodles are a symbol of longevity and is thought to represent a long and healthy life. It is the perfect dish to eat on your birthday.
What historical or contemporary AAPI figure do you admire and why?
Patsy Mink. She was one of the key authors for Title IX, a law that advanced gender equity within federal funding policies for education. Title IX also required all educational institutions in the U.S. to reward male and female athletes equally. It protects against discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment). Many female athletes have benefited from Title IX and afforded them access to training facilities, equipment and access to other sports program. Patsy saw the need eliminate gender-based discrimination and fought her whole life to achieve these goals. She’s a gutsy woman that pioneered the way for many other people of color to run for office, achieve higher educational goals and champion the rights of girls and women.
What special point of view has your heritage given you?
My heritage has taught me to take care of others and share the abundance of wealth and resources. I am more fulfilled by sharing my joys and triumphs with others than keeping it to myself.
What makes you proud of your heritage?
I am proud that our traditions have endured and continue to be celebrated through our food, language and family.
