ASRA Pain Medicine Update

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, celebrated annually in May, was established to honor the contributions and influence that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in the United States’ shared history.

The United States observance was initially established in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, with the first 10 days of May denoted as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In 1992, the observance was extended to the full month of May. Commonly referred to as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, the federal designation expanded to include Native Hawaiian communities in 2021, renaming it Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month.

Canada also observes Asian Heritage Month in May, providing an opportunity to “acknowledge the many achievements and contributions of people of Asian origin who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the country we know and love,” as the official webpage states.

In this special feature, we spotlight four esteemed anesthesiologists in a Q&A format who share their experiences, insights, and perspectives as members of the AANHPI community, shedding light on their journeys in pain medicine and beyond. We start the feature with an essay that reflects on AANHPI Month from a practicing Asian American anesthesiologist, followed by an essay from a third-year medical student.

Reflections on AANHPI Awareness Month

Bridging Identities: From Medical Student to Patient

Interview with David Auyong, MD

Interview with Sakura Kinjo, MD

Interview with Yan Lai, MD, MPH, FASA, FASRA, CBA, LAc

Interview with Linda Le-Wendling, MD

Reflections on AANHPI Awareness Month

By Sun Mei Liu, MD

By 2050, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations in the United States will more than double in number from 2005.¹ AANHPI populations originate from over 29 countries, leading to a vast range of differences in culture, language, research opportunities, and genetic make-up. Unfortunately, this diversity has led to overgeneralization and aggregation of data in national population studies. Japanese American immigrant data from California was often grouped into the same bar graphs as Pakistani American data from New York. Even though Asian American individuals make up over 20% of medical students, trainees, and physicians, an overrepresentation by every measure, uninsured rates vary greatly among AANHPI subgroups, ranging from 2.8% for Japanese Americans to 10.0% for Korean Americans and 12.3% for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in 2019.^2,3

In my senior year of college, I, like thousands of other premedical students before me, ventured toward the dream of attending medical school with, in retrospect, little to no understanding of the journey that lay ahead. Like, the “model minority” stereotype that had followed me for a lifetime, I would be among the first in my family to attend medical school. Outside the vague societal promises of a stable and respected career, I knew this much—I want to make positive change in the world. While this goal was as nebulous as the idea of “helping people by becoming a doctor,” it has served as a guiding principle in my young medical career.

My decision wasn’t entirely altruistic. I grew up to immigrant parents who sacrificed, dreamed, and demanded in the hope that their children would do better than they did. Sacrifice was no stranger to me when medicine required that I recall the Krebs cycle that I would never use or when I endured long hours of residency training. My parents’ dreams for me birthed dreams of my own. As an anesthesiologist, I can now live the dream of relieving a patient’s pain after placement of a nerve block or simply making them feel safe before a major surgery. These moments not only motivate me to continue to strengthen my skills as a physician, but they also inspire me to expect higher standards from medicine as a profession. 

Over the years, I continue to uncover facets of the ever-complex profile of being an Asian American in medicine. Being an Asian American in health care brings both challenges and advantages. One of the most notable aspects of my practice is how my cultural identity influences my relationships with patients and colleagues. Many Asian Americans are raised in cultures that emphasize respect for authority, hierarchy, and deference to older generations. These cultural norms affect how I interact with patients and colleagues, often shaping the way trust and authority are established in a health care setting. AANHPI patients who look like me will implicitly trust me, without ever having met me. This is often helpful in establishing rapport and trust. A disadvantage, however, is that colleagues may assume a more agreeable or quieter professional at the bedside, despite my adamant disagreement on a treatment regimen. 

AANHPI Awareness Month, celebrated in May, offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the ways in which my identity intersects with my work and to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being an Asian American physician. No matter the race, religion, color, or creed, implicit bias remains a significant barrier to equity and inclusivity. Medicine is no exception. As often as it is necessary to assert my expertise, not just through my clinical skills, I must also challenge my own assumptions and implicit biases daily. Every encounter can highlight the importance of being proactive in addressing stereotypes and educating patients and peers about the value of diversity in health care, when given the opportunity. By embracing the complexities of our identities and breaking down barriers, we can work together to create a more compassionate and effective health care system that benefits all patients and providers.

References:

1. Wessel, David. “The United States in 2050 Will Be Very Different than It Is Today.” Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 20 Nov. 2024, www.pgpf.org/programs-and-projects/convening-experts/us-2050/research-summary/.
2. Ko M, Dinh K, Iv S, Hahn M. Asian American diversity and representation in the health care workforce, 2007 to 2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2440071. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.40071.
3. Chu, RC and Sommers, BD. Health Insurance Coverage Changes Since Implementation of the Affordable Care Act: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Issue Brief No. HP-2021-11). Washington, DC: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. May 24, 2021.                                                                                

Sun Mei (Sunny) Liu, MD, is a regional anesthesiologist at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. She completed her residency at the University of Rochester, where she simultaneously completed a master’s degree in medical management at the Simon Business School. She went on to complete a fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. In her clinical practice she focuses on point-of-care ultrasound education and efficient use and delivery of regional anesthesia techniques. She serves on the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Committee for Economics. In her spare time, she loves trying new restaurants and enjoying time outdoors. 

Bridging Identities: From Medical Student to Patient

By Cassandra Cu, MSIII

With ease, I could find Filipino food and groceries, hear my native language spoken in shopping malls, and converse with Filipino nurses and staff at my doctor’s office. This constant connection to my culture provided a deep sense of belonging and comfort, knowing I was never far from a cultural home and surrounded by people who shared similar values and beliefs. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I never realized how fortunate I was to live in a region that embraced such diversity, particularly in the southwest part of the Bay Area, locally known as the Peninsula. My public schools were home to a vibrant mix of African American, Hispanic, Polynesian, and Asian students, the majority of whom came from low-income families. So, when I moved to Boston to pursue higher education, I was unprepared for the challenges of leaving behind the familiar bubble I had grown so accustomed to. Growing up surrounded by people who looked like me, spoke like me, and shared my cultural values shaped more than just my sense of identity—it also subtly informed my expectations of comfort, trust, and care within medical spaces. I didn’t yet realize that culture would play an even deeper role when I would eventually find myself on the other side of the hospital bed.

It was the fall of 2022, and I was filled with excitement after completing Welcome Week for first-year medical students. I daydreamed on the train ride home, eager to finally begin a career I had worked so hard for and felt proud to be the first in my family to enter medical school. As I admired the Charles River through the train window, I was suddenly met by an immense pounding pressure on my head. My face was now squished against the glass window as a stranger pinned me against the train wall yelling, “Go back to China! Stop giving us all COVID, you ch*nk!” I scanned the train, yearning for help from fellow passengers. I was too afraid to physically react, in an unfamiliar city, traveling alone, not knowing if this person were armed. More than being scared, I was shocked to witness the bystander effect take place around me. I was aware that violence happened everywhere, but having lived in San Francisco and attended UC Berkeley, I had never seen so many people sit idly by when injustice occurred in front of them. It was at this moment that I began to take notice of the cultural differences between the West and East Coast and realized that I had been coddled by my Bay Area bubble. The attack wasn’t just physically jarring—it shattered my belief that a medical identity could shield me from racialized violence. In that moment, I wasn’t a future doctor. I was just another Asian face blamed for a global crisis. It planted a seed of fear that I would later come to recognize again—not on a train, but in a hospital gown.

Despite this experience, as I progressed through medical school undeterred and began my third-year clinical rotations, I came to realize that Massachusetts had its own flavor of diversity. I came to learn more about Cambodian culture and utilized my Spanish language skills to communicate with my Dominican and Puerto Rican patients, who so often reminded me of the immigrant communities that I had grown up with in California. I learned to adapt to each hospital environment and realized that my community had grown. 

It was summer of 2024, and I had been driving my usual commute home when I received a call that my thyroid biopsy had positive cancer mutations. Just as I was regaining my footing and adjusting to the hardships of medical school, my own body turned unfamiliar. Illness made me vulnerable in a different way—but the fear, isolation, and longing for understanding echoed what I felt the day I was attacked. For the most part, people couldn’t tell that I had a neck mass, and it didn’t affect my daily routine. Although I met criteria for surgery, I tried to barter with my endocrinologist. I asked to wait until the end of my clinical year to have surgery because I didn’t want to have any distractions during the most important year of medical school. However, after discussion with my family, physicians, and deans, I agreed to surgery. Relieved that this was behind me, I tried to mentally prepare for the next rotation ahead. I was happy to eat solid foods again following surgery. I’d always been told that no news was good news, so my heart sank when my surgeon called. What we had thought was only a hyperplastic nodule was malignant. Again came the next steps of coordinating additional surgery, radiation, and trying to fit it all into my clinical rotations. 

Overall, my clinical year has been a chaotic dance-alternating between roles as part of the health care team and that of a patient. After completing each rotation, I have required some form of treatment: major surgery, blood tests, ultrasounds, biopsies, or radiation. My illness was ever evolving but I didn’t want it to define me. I wanted to be just as present as my peers, to make the most of learning opportunities and clinical experiences, but this came at a cost. With the loss of my thyroid, I felt constantly fatigued. I easily became ill and would step away from rounds to vomit due to spontaneous episodes of nausea. I did my best to hide the fact that I had residual postoperative pain when returning to rotations just two weeks after each surgery. Despite trying to hide my obvious neck scar, I came to be known as “Thyroid Girl” on one of my rotations—a differentiating feature that staff and patients clung to, as they often confused Asian students with each other. Being called “Thyroid Girl” was a jarring reminder of how Asian students were often seen as interchangeable. My illness made me visible, yet my identity made me invisible—a paradox I’m still untangling. In both moments—on the train and on the wards—I wasn’t fully seen.

As a patient, I tried to be the least difficult person possible, knowing how hard nurses, staff, and physicians work throughout the day. Although I had assisted with and observed numerous procedures during my clinical rotations, I was scared and anxious to be the on the other side, rather than the medical student retracting tissue in the OR. Finally now, I have begun to come up for air as my nuclear medicine team revealed that I did not have metastasis, only residual cancer cells in my neck.  As I work towards my goal of becoming an anesthesiologist, I am reminded that everyone faces challenges. I have learned that not all pain is physical, and our human responses to the pain and trauma we experience in our families, personal lives, work, and school shape how we navigate the world. Both as a patient and as an Asian American, I’ve lived through moments where I was unseen, misunderstood, or dismissed. As a future physician, I hope to utilize my experiences to be sensitive and empathetic towards my patients, who I will likely be meeting at their most vulnerable. I hope that I am able to see them as a whole person, with their story, their fear, their culture, and their strength included.

Cassandra Cu is a third-year medical student at Tufts University School of Medicine. She is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. In her spare time, she loves indulging in all forms of art. She dances hip hop, and whenever she returns home for the holidays, she spray paints murals with a local group called the Illuminaries. Cassandra also loves music and plays the piano, guitar, and has recently started to learn how to play the drums. 

Interview with David Auyong, MD

I view awareness of AANHPI heritage as a year-long endeavor. One aspect of my heritage, instilled in me from a young age, is respect for elders and those who came before us. In my career so far, I have seen many changes brought about by anesthesiologists who have moved on to other jobs or retirement. It is important to teach the next generation of physicians about how we got to where we are and the important steps that were made by those who came before us. AANHPI physicians often don't have the loudest voices or most self-promoting personalities, but their contributions have been just as important.

Why do you think it’s important to recognize and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Seattle is located in an area with a dense population of AANHPI people. We are a family at work and outside of work. It is important to recognize all of the AANHPI people who contribute to a successful medical environment, not just the physicians and nurses. Without all of the contributions and hard work, we could not be a such a successful hospital.

Please tell us about your research, education, or advocacy related to regional anesthesiology and pain medicine.

In the past decade, my colleagues and I have focused our research on the adductor canal block, including publishing the first article on the effects of continuous infusion of ropivacaine at the adductor canal. Compared with placebo, we showed the benefits in pain control, physical therapy, and leg strength. A decade later, it is hard to find any new articles on the adductor canal; the effect is so profound, there really isn't a question about the efficacy of this block. Another block we have studied extensively is the anterior suprascapular block for shoulder surgery, where we demonstrated similar pain relief to the interscalene block, along with drastically improved respiratory parameters. Based on this, we have not had a clinical failure of respiratory compromise after a brachial plexus block at the suprascapular level, even in patients with severe baseline respiratory compromise. 

What challenges have you faced on your journey so far as a physician and anesthesiologist? How have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge in my journey has been finding my own voice and promoting myself. No one ever looked at me and said, "You're the next in line for this prestigious position." If my mentors didn't take the time to get to know me, I don't think I would be in the position I am today. So it works two ways—both in having great mentors and then being a good mentor to those coming up the ranks.

Why is diversity and inclusion important in medicine and, specifically, in regional anesthesia and pain medicine?

It is important to give a voice to everyone in our field. Planes crash into mountains and ships into icebergs when the single captain's voice goes unchecked. Having multiple viewpoints, experiences, and voices can only make our impact better for patients and our profession as a whole. 

Who are your inspirations in life? 

Family. There is and there will never be anything more important than family. My father and mother shaped my life. I consider my mentors family too. I wouldn't be what I am without them.

What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Through research conducted with my colleagues, we developed a pathway of recovery after joint replacement surgery with outcomes that have outshined every hospital in our region, based on state-collected data. Then, my mom had knee replacement surgery and she got to experience the very best care under a pathway I helped to develop. When I finished training, patients stayed in the hospital 3 days after total knee arthroplasty and took 1-3 pills of oxycodone every 4 hours. My mom underwent outpatient knee replacement surgery and took 3 oxycodone pills in total during her recovery. 

What advice would you give to young physicians and trainees as they navigate their careers?

Work hard and study hard when you're young in your career—it makes the next 15 years (and, one hopes, more) much easier.

Is there anything else you would like to note?

Thank you to Dr. Uchenna Umeh, Chair of the ASRA Pain Medicine Diversity SIG, for including me! 

David Auyong, MD, is an attending anesthesiologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle, WA, and the medical director of the Lindeman Ambulatory Surgery Center. He serves as the section head of orthopedic anesthesiology and the division head of operations and personnel management. He is also the co-chair of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guiding Team and fellowship director of the Moore-Bridenbaugh Anesthesia Research Fellowship. Dr. Auyong completed his anesthesia residency and acute pain medicine/regional anesthesia fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. His research focuses on improving patient outcomes with regional anesthesia, most recently with blocks like the continuous adductor canal block and suprascapular nerve block. He has co-authored a popular textbook, Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia, now in its second edition. He is often recognized by his videos on YouTube (now with over 1.5 million views!) describing ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia approaches to many different nerve blocks.

Interview with Sakura Kinjo, MD

This month helps me and others remember and appreciate our heritage and culture. I attend events hosted by our hospital and department to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the many countries and cultures represented by AANHPI individuals. It’s an opportunity to remember my own culture and learn about other AANHPI cultures.

Why do you think it’s important to recognize and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? 

Many countries are represented as members of the AANHPI community, and each has its own rich culture and history. I was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa was a separate kingdom between the 1400s and 1800s. At that time, active trade took place among Okinawa, China, Japan, Korea, and other Southeast Asian countries. The foundations of Okinawan culture, therefore, included a mix of values and culture from these countries as well as older traditions from Okinawa itself. I think promoting awareness and appreciation of these countries’ stories and their contributions to American society has value.

Please tell us about your research, education, or advocacy related to regional anesthesiology and pain medicine.

I have been conducting clinical research and projects related to postoperative pain and regional anesthesia. I am interested in how perioperative pain management can impact postoperative cognitive function. I’m also very interested in important developments in regional anesthesia, authoring peer-reviewed papers and teaching and organizing regional anesthesia workshops to help advance work in this area.

What challenges have you faced on your journey so far as a physician and anesthesiologist? How have you overcome them?

I came to the United States to pursue my postgraduate training. It pushed me to adapt to a new environment, language, culture, and society. It was a key moment of my life. It was not easy, but I am glad I did. I may have missed an opportunity to advance my career if I had remained back home. I’ve kept a positive attitude, worked hard, and prepared myself to be ready for new opportunities. And, I’ve been fortunate to belong to a supportive department and institution, working with outstanding colleagues.

Why is diversity and inclusion important in medicine and, specifically, in regional anesthesia and pain medicine?

We strive to improve patient outcomes for all patients. This includes making sure that people we treat don’t feel that their heritage, ethnicity, or identity influences the way we serve them. Most people and patients I work with treat others fairly and with respect. I believe this is due, in part because of some of the diversity and equity initiatives at UCSF and greater awareness among people in general over the past two decades or so. More can be done, and challenges remain, but I believe progress has been made. 

Who are your inspirations in life? 

Dr. Ronald D. Miller, who previously chaired our department, was an inspiration to me. Unfortunately, Dr. Miller passed away earlier this year. His legacy continues to live within us. He inspired excellence among his colleagues. His vision was to make our department the greatest, not just in the nation or world but in history. He wanted all of us to believe that, through our actions, we could make this happen.

What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

I was the first physician from my medical school in Okinawa to obtain a Texas Medical License. In 2020, I received the Rocky Challenge Award from the Nakamura Iwao Challenge Foundation. They select one Okinawan each year who has achieved success outside Okinawa to help serve as a role model to youth in Okinawa.

What advice would you give to young physicians and trainees as they navigate their careers?

My family motto is tenax propositi, which is Latin for tenacity of purpose or holding firm to your purpose. I stand behind this motto. Being tenacious and choosing a purpose are vital for navigating career and life, as well as making a difference.

Is there anything else you would like to note?

I appreciate ASRA Pain Medicine allowing me to share my thoughts. At ASRA Pain Medicine, we have important goals: improving patient care and advancing science. ASRA Pain Medicine allows us to connect, share ideas, and work together toward these goals. In addition, my personal goal is to foster scholarly exchange between Japan and the United States. 

Sakura Kinjo, MD, is the anesthesia medical director at the Orthopedic Institute within UCSF, a freestanding ambulatory surgery center dedicated to orthopedic surgery. Outside of UCSF, she serves on multiple committees in organizations such as ASRA Pain Medicine, the California Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia. Dr. Kinjo completed an anesthesia residency at the University of Texas, Houston, and a pain management fellowship at the University of California, Davis. 

Interview with Yan Lai, MD, MPH, FASA, FASRA, CBA, LAc

How do you celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

I celebrate year-round by consuming plenty of delicious Cantonese cuisines! Jokes aside, we celebrate our identity and heritage with what our cultures have bestowed upon us and on our lives: meaning, character, and values. My experiences as an immigrant living in tenement housing in Chinatown during the 1990s have taught me humility, grit, kindness, respect, resilience, and tolerance. Our family’s struggles with integration into American society have inspired a deep sense of purpose, passion, and commitment to my professional life and career. My childhood fascination with Chinese history, literature, and martial arts (Wu Xia) stories have instilled and grown a curiosity about the mystery of the human body, healing, and medicine. During my residency training, I was intrigued at how similar a peripheral nerve block can immobilize certain parts of the body therapeutically when compared to how my favorite childhood hero can paralyze his opponents with a dedicated projection of energy onto certain pressure points! This lifelong connection, reverence, and reflection on my AANHPI heritage is certainly a source of pride, blessing, and celebration.

Why do you think it’s important to recognize and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

All of us are shaped by our background, traditions, biases, and culture. Sometimes it is easy to forget who we are or where we came from when we are constantly being inundated with the myriad of responsibilities and frustrations of our many roles in our lives. To combat periodic vulnerabilities, indifference, and apathy that we all experience from time to time, it is important to rekindle, reflect, and recognize what drives us to make positive impacts for each other, our patients, and our community.

Please tell us about your research, education, or advocacy related to regional anesthesiology and pain medicine.

My early academic career led me to explore what many young regional anesthesiologists were also curious about. I had a busy clinical and teaching schedule but, with tremendous support and collaboration from my mentors, I was able to author several manuscripts and book chapters on ultrasound guidance as well as the efficacy of novel regional anesthesia techniques and pharmaceutical agents in various surgical models. During the initial rounds of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation for regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine fellowship programs, I helped steer our program to be accredited in the early stages. In recent years, I became interested in topics that I believe will provide value to our subspecialty practice such as POCUS and alternatives in perioperative analgesia. To learn more, I obtained POCUS certification from ASRA Pain Medicine and have served as faculty and a local POCUS mentor for ASRA Pain Medicine and the American Society of Aesthesiologists.

As part of my curiosity and fascination with Chinese medicine, as well as its implications and potential intersections in perioperative medicine, I became a licensed acupuncturist. For the near future, my goal is to advocate for the expansion of the regional anesthesia footprint in the perioperative space and to improve access to innovative regional anesthetics, ultrasound techniques, and other forms of analgesia for our surgical patients through research and education.  

What challenges have you faced on your journey so far as a physician and anesthesiologist? How have you overcome them?

Every month or so, one of my patients will invariably question how long I have been practicing or where I came from because of the way I appear or sound to them. Others have praised me for my apparent mathematical abilities (i.e., the abacus whisperer) or proficiency with information technology and electronic medical records systems. I used to perceive these as challenges, but, as I have aged, I have learned to appreciate and focus on the positive aspects, like many other physician anesthesiologists. I am thrilled that people think that I look young, savvy, and good at math and computers. Increasingly, I find that perceptions and stereotypes can be dynamic and can be steered toward something positive with education, openness, and mutual respect.  

Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and, specifically, in regional anesthesia and pain medicine?

Our patients, professional community, and society benefit from diversity and inclusion of ideas, merits, attitudes, and behaviors. Every time I take care of an elderly Chinese patient, they have the same ecstatic facial expression when they see someone from their culture speaking to them in their native language. Some time ago, I remember explaining a regional anesthetic to an anxious elderly Chinese patient who was speaking a regional dialect that nobody could decipher. As I listened more, I realized it was a dialect that my grandparents spoke (Taishanese). As I made the extra effort to awaken my own Taishanese that was buried deep somewhere between my hippocampus and Wernicke’s area, my patient smiled and became much more at ease. After a while, as expected, she was asking if she could facilitate a matchmaking session. From this patient interaction, I learned that having diversity helps us all become a better team for our patients. As a result of this experience, I became a nationally certified medical interpreter in Cantonese and Mandarin.

Who are your inspirations in life? 

My family, colleagues, teachers, friends, and patients continue to inspire me. Professionally, one individual has nurtured and taught me to be a better physician, regional anesthesiologist, and person for more than a decade. Without Dr. Meg A. Rosenblatt, I would not be who, what, or where I am today. She is a renowned legend and phenomenon in the ASRA Pain Medicine and anesthesia universe. She constantly inspires me with the way she approaches life and medicine. She is the perfect mentor sponsor that anyone could ask for, and I will be forever grateful and appreciative that we share this special relationship.

What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

I am proud of this interview and the opportunity to be a representative of the AANHPI community and ASRA Pain Medicine (FASRA) within our profession. I am most proud to see the success from the motivated and compassionate individuals who I have the privilege of mentoring over the years.

What advice would you give to young physicians and trainees as they navigate their careers?
Many years ago, Dr. Rosenblatt and I discussed this exact question as we were sipping our 3^rd or maybe 4^th (uncertain, possibly the n^th) vodka martini. We agreed that young trailblazers, who will be navigating through some uncertain and tough health care terrain ahead, should dedicate and focus their time and energy to love and cultivate the aspects of medicine that have enriched both of our lives:

Appreciate the opportunities for hard work, try to have fun while giving it your best, maintain a positive attitude with kindness and niceness, know that learning will always lead to winning/success, be reasonable with the blessings you already have, find a mentor/sponsor with the same vision, and practice listening to yourself and others.

Is there anything else you would like to note?

I appreciate this opportunity from ASRA Pain Medicine and its Diversity Special Interest Group to highlight a few things about myself and my heritage for our regional anesthesia and pain medicine community. I want to thank Drs. Uchenna Umeh and Kethy Jules-Elysee, Chair and Vice Chair of the ASRA Pain Medicine Diversity SIG, respectively, for their brilliant leadership in advancing our ASRA Pain Medicine diversity initiatives. 

Yan Lai, MD, MPH, FASA, FASRA, CBA, LAc, is an associate regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine attending physician at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Josie Robertson Surgery Center in New York City. He is a fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, as well as a licensed medical acupuncturist. For more than a decade, he has been a speaker and faculty in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and perioperative medicine at numerous domestic and international scholarly venues. Dr. Lai has received numerous awards and recognition for his professional roles as an academic leader and clinical educator. He is proud to be an American Board of Anesthesiology applied examiner, ASA point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) local mentor, a New York State Society of Anesthesiologists delegate, and a certified medical translator in Cantonese and Mandarin. Aside from being a life-long learner and enthusiast of anesthesiology, he enjoys traveling, hotpot, karaoke, and Chinese films.

Interview with Linda Le-Wendling, MD

In all honesty, I celebrate year-round, but I am happy that a month is designated to Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. I increase the number of Asian dishes I serve at home (e.g., pho, banh trang, hu tieu, dumplings, shu mai) to support my local Asian stores. I speak Vietnamese to my children and encourage them to watch Asian shows in their original languages.

Why do you think it’s important to recognize and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

It broadens our outlook on life. There are amazing aspects from other cultures that we can bring to our American heritage as well. And, having a comparison gives my children more balance in their outlooks on life.

Please tell us about your research, education, or advocacy related to regional anesthesiology and pain medicine.

My research is based on questions I just happen to come across that are clinically relevant, so there is not one topic I focus on. I love collaborating with junior faculty because I find strength in teamwork. Some topics I have explored include regional anesthesia for patients at risk for acute compartment syndrome, studies of the thoracic paravertebral space, anesthesia type and renal function in patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture, block room setup, and techniques in regional anesthesia. For UpToDate, I have focused on orthopedic trauma, thoracic paravertebral block, and pterygopalatine block.

One of my proudest achievements is spearheading the fellow knowledge test for the Fellowship Directors’ Group, now officially the RAFDA. It is a 100-question test designed to enhance fellows’ recognition of a broad range of topics in our subspecialty.

What challenges have you faced on your journey so far as a physician and anesthesiologist? How have you overcome them?

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments in my career and life occurred in June 2023, when the two collided. I was teaching at the International Symposium of Ultrasound in Regional Anesthesia in Toronto when my son became intensely ill. After a very intense and frightening week, during which time we rushed back to the United States, he was diagnosed with leukemia. This event gave me a different understanding of what compassionate care is and redefined what is important from a patient’s perspective. I was very fortunate to have a supportive department and colleagues through this ongoing journey. Meanwhile, my parents’ dementia took a sharp downturn. Strangely, work has been my salvation and comfort zone. How did I cope? Someone wise recommended, “Read when you are confused, think when you are alone, sleep when you are sad, and work when you are serious.” I have embraced a growth mentality over a performance mentality through the years. I have started to figure out ways to improve resilience and adaptability.

Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and, specifically, in regional anesthesia and pain medicine?

It is enriching to have multiple perspectives and backgrounds in any group. Innovation and change come when we embrace our differences instead of our similarities.

Who are your inspirations in life? 

My father has probably been the individual who shaped most of who I was before medicine, through his grit, love of learning, and generosity. Now, I find so many wonderful people around me, each inspiring me to be better. My husband inspires me with his charity and love of community while working hard to make our family healthier and better together. My colleagues inspire me through how they approach teaching and how they care for our department and discipline.

What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Perhaps it is an accumulation of accomplishments that I am most proud of. In June 2023, I was promoted to professor. It seems that each little accomplishment is a trial of labor and patience, but collectively, they amount to something quite great. I am fortunate to have enjoyed a very satisfying, gratifying, and meaningful career in anesthesia and regional anesthesia, all while building a loving family at home, with children I am proud of and an extremely supportive and accomplished husband.

What advice would you give to young physicians and trainees as they navigate their careers?

1. Ensure it is meaningful to you. Have fun doing it. Avoid setting too many deadlines or overpromising. Work-life balance is like a Tetris game.
2. If one approach fails, take a break, think outside the box, and try a different approach.
3. Accept each responsibility or project, no matter how small, with care and thought. When others see your dedication and thoughtfulness, you will naturally be given greater responsibility.

Is there anything else you would like to note?

Work-life balance means different things to different people. For me, it’s making sure two aspects of my life – my career and my personal life – evolve in a healthy manner in parallel so that when tragedy strikes one, the other provides strength and support.

Linda Le-Wendling, MD, is a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, where she also serves as the fellowship program director in regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine. She is a member of the Regional Anesthesia Fellowship Directors’ Association (RAFDA). She is also the scientific program co-chair for the 51st Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting being held April 16-18, 2026, in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Le-Wendling graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin before completing residency and a fellowship in regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine.