Conference Welcome and Itinerary

We invite you to explore our 4th Annual Conference.

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This page contains:

Welcome Address
Workshop Themes
Itinerary
Getting Here & Off-Site Social Locations

Digital Materials

Welcome to the 4th Annual CYFAM Conference

On behalf of the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM), we welcome you to our 4th Annual Conference! Our conference theme this year is Pamana sa Kinabukasan (Gift to the Future): The Filipinx Legacy as Seeds of the Future. As a community, we have trekked across oceans and sown our stories of sacrifice with hopes that one day our roots would grow sturdy and proud. Our gathering this year serves to not only celebrate our predecessors’ legacy, but to also bloom together and cultivate the growth of the next generation.

Since our beginnings in 2020, CYFAM continues to grow remarkably every year. We now have over 800 volunteers and contacts from all over the United States and even abroad! In the spirit of bayanihan, we continue to foster new connections, build community, and support one another towards our shared goal of leadership in medicine, promoting medical and health education, and advocacy.

This year, we are excited to present you with a combination of pre-conference virtual events that culminates into a two-day, in-person conference at the UCLA James West Alumni Center. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Connie Mariano, the first Filipina and military woman to serve as White House Physician, the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association (PAA), and the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) for their generous support in making this conference possible. Most importantly, we would also like to thank our amazing conference planning team, volunteers, presenters, performer, and exhibitors for your hard work in organizing our programming this year.

We believe that CYFAM’s strength is due in large part to the abundance of our shared and lived experiences, each of which are wholly reflected through our diverse community spanning across the educational pipeline globally. To each of you who have and continue to share this space with us: thank you so much! Our vision would not come to fruition without you all.

It is our sincere hope that the stories and lessons we share with each other today can serve as a catalyst for connection. We are optimistic that by growing together, we will be empowered, both individually and
collectively, to continue working for a healthier future for our Filipinx American community.

Thank you for joining us as we invite you to look back, to look forward, to stand still, and bloom.

  • Antonio Moya, MD, MPH

    Co-Founder

  • Angelico Razon, MD, MPH, MSHP, FAAP

    Co-Founder

  • Isabella Rosenzweig

    Conference Coordinator

  • Jacob Less

    Conference Coordinator

  • Jaira Mary Joyce Mendoza

    Conference Coordinator

  • Katherine Chua

    Conference Coordinator

  • Patrick Munar Ancheta

    Conference Coordinator

Workshop Themes

MAGTANIM (to plant)

"Magtanim" reinforces the idea that, like a seed planted with care, young Filipinx Americans in medicine have the potential for significant growth and impact in their professional journeys especially when integrating one’s cultural roots. Participants can incorporate their cultural heritage by acquiring proficiency in medical Filipino and delving deeper into the history of Filipino-American physicians.

MAGDILIG (to water)

Just like how watering is essential in maintaining a plant's overall health, "Magdilig" highlights the significance of utilizing empathy and understanding to approach conversations of healing. Additionally, it explores the importance of nurturing personal and professional growth amidst challenges and triumphs as Filipinx American healthcare professionals through the insights of Filipinx International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

LUMAKI (to grow)

“Lumaki" encompasses both individual growth and the collective growth of communities. It encourages participants to not only seek mentorship for their own growth but also to become mentors, leaders, and advocates for their communities. Additionally, participants will explore how mental health affects the care we provide and why compassion for ourselves reflects in our compassion for our communities.

UMUNLAD (to flourish)

"Umunlad" integrates the concept of cultural empowerment. The theme extends to the collective flourishing of communities. Participants can engage in discussions and workshops focused on community health initiatives, healthcare advocacy, and addressing health disparities within the Filipinx community and beyond. A community that is cultivated and nourished serves as an optimal space for individuals to experience the most growth, especially in ways that allow them to give back.

Itinerary

We've carefully curated a diverse and engaging schedule of events that will make your conference experience both informative and enjoyable. From keynote speakers and panel discussions to workshops and mentoring sessions, our itinerary is designed to offer you a rich and memorable experience. Look below for the exciting lineup of sessions and activities that await you during this conference.

Daily Start Times

  • Day 0 – Friday, February 16: starts at 7 PM

  • Day 1 – Saturday, February 17: starts at 8:30 AM

  • Day 2 – Sunday, February 18: starts at 8:10 AM

Day 0 – Friday, February 16

Socials are free and open to the public.

  • Option #1 - Thunderbolt LA

    It’s Happy Hour in Historic Filipinotown! Get excited about the conference and meet attendees from all across the nation at Thunderbolt!

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    1263 W Temple St
    Los Angeles, CA 90026

    •••

    Option #2 - B Sweet

    Less than 10 minutes from UCLA, join us for a pre-conference social to meet your fellow conference attendees of all training levels, and enjoy some Filipino-inspired sweet treats!

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    2005 Sawtelle Blvd
    Los Angeles, CA 90025

Day 1 – Saturday, February 17

Socials are free and open to the public.

  • Robert Kerr Galleria

  • • Antonio Moya, MD, MPH
    • Angelico “Iko” Razon, MD, MPH, MSHP, FAAP
    • Patrick Munar Ancheta, BS
    • Katherine Chua, BS
    • Jacob Less, BS
    • Jaira Mary Joyce Mendoza, BS
    • Isabella Rosenzweig, BS

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • • Connie Mariano, MD, FACP

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • History of Fil-Am Physicians: From Colonial Subjects to Productive Citizens

    This is the story of resilience, overcoming colonial subjugation, discrimination, and limited opportunities. From their early days as colonial subjects to becoming productive citizens, Filipino American physicians have played a vital role in shaping the healthcare landscape. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations of Filipino American physicians to excel in the medical profession and contribute to the well-being of society.

    • Rommel L. Rivera, MD
    Assisted by Aida N. Rivera, MD

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

    •••

    Ginhawa: Communicating the Language of Healing in Filipino/Tagalog

    This workshop / presentation hopes to address the importance of overcoming the language barriers and providing culturally appropriate care in a patient-to-provider setting to encourage more Filipinos to seek medical attention. The workshop aims to provide health care provider participants with basic vocabulary, conversational and courtesy phrases, and medical terminology to put the patient at ease towards a better health outcome.

    • Nenita Domingo, PhD

    —
    Tom Davis Founders' Room

  • • Blueprint Test Prep
    • Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) and Tayo
    • National Alliance for Filipino Concerns - Southern California (NAFCON SoCal)
    • Pilipinos for Community Health (PCH) at UCLA
    • PRIME-LA Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
    • The Princeton Review
    • UCLA CNSR Gupta Lab
    • UCLA Health of Philippine Emigrants Study (UCLA HoPES)
    • UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association (PAA)

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    Robert Kerr Galleria

  • Catered by Fiesta Fastfood

    UCLA Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night’s (SPCN’s) Dance Troupe, Alab ng Puso

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • Courageous Conversations: Palliative and End-of-Life Care

    It's a conversation we all must have at some point but that doesn't make it any easier. A look at how doctors, patients and families can have real and important conversations around how to approach and navigate palliative and end of life care with empathy and understanding.

    • Jeffrey de Castro Mariano, MD, AGSF
    • Leezel Tanglao, FYLPRO Immediate Past President & Tayo Cofounder/Project Director
    • Lycia Stokely, Esq. (BA, JD, LLM)
    Assisted by Tessa del Carmen, MD
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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

    •••

    IMG Panel: Perspectives on Global Medical Education

    Our International Medical Graduates (IMG) Panel provides a unique platform for accomplished professionals to share their rich experiences and insights from studying medicine abroad. Gain valuable perspectives on the challenges, triumphs, and cultural nuances encountered during their medical school journey. This panel is an invaluable resource for aspiring medical professionals seeking a global perspective on medical education.

    • Michelle Ann Eala, MD
    • Jessica Ann Jorge, MD
    • Ray Ragasa, MD
    Moderated by Maria-Kassandra Coronel, MD

    —
    Tom Davis Founders' Room

  • At this moment, we are all at different stages in our careers, having collected experiences that have shaped us into the people we are today. For this session, participants will be able to experience a bit of this growth — being vulnerable, relaying stories, passing on knowledge, learning about yourself. From students to physicians, we are all here to share what we know about what it takes to study medicine and how mentorship plays a significant role in our collective success. This is not an easy path to take, but it is rewarding for all the knowledge we acquire and all the folks we create bonds with.

    • CYFAM Conference Mentorship Committee

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • We invite you to take this time for a pause.

  • In the Collins Alumni Conference Room: two live presentations by researchers from various disciplines, institutions, and levels of training. Each speaker will have ten minutes to present their novel findings, and each session will conclude with an open Q&A where conference attendees can ask questions.

    Following oral presentations in the Robert Kerr Galleria: open floor poster session from additional researchers to showcase and discuss their exciting work. Field experts selected all speakers and presenters amongst all submitted abstracts.

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room and Robert Kerr Galleria

  • • Jacob Less, BS
    • Jaira Mary Joyce Mendoza, BS

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • Join us at Sawtelle for modern Filipino Comfort Food by Ray & Jay at Spoon & Pork, Chef Barb Batiste’s versions of Filipino classic recipes and her childhood favorites at Big Boi, or other delicious dishes at Sawtelle’s Asian restaurants!

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    Spoon & Pork
    2121 Sawtelle Blvd
    Los Angeles, CA 90025
    •••
    Big Boi
    2027 Sawtelle Blvd
    Los Angeles, CA 90025

Day 2 – Sunday, February 18

Kindly note the earlier start time. No meals provided for this day.

  • Robert Kerr Galleria

  • • Melissa Palma, MD, MPH
    • Patrick Munar Ancheta, BS
    • Katherine Chua, BS
    • Isabella Rosenzweig, BS

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • CYFAM Morning Report is an interactive session where a facilitator presents a patient case in a multi-step format. A safe learning space inclusive of learners at all levels, this workshop encourages participants to discuss collaboratively, develop a differential diagnosis, and determine workup and management. The Clinical Problem Solvers’ diagnostic schemas are integrated to help trainees organize their clinical knowledge and diagnostic reasoning.

    With clinical and cultural curricular threads in parallel, we hope to empower CYFAM learners with early exposure to this learning modality, mitigate the hidden curriculum, explore bread-and-butter topics across medicine, and highlight Filipinx community conditions and health narratives.

    • Ashlee Joan Macalino, BS
    • Antonio Moya, MD, MPH

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

  • Lumagô: Fostering Change Through Community Care

    Lumagô, Tagalog for “to thrive, to develop, to grow,” captures this panel’s purpose: to inspire critical consciousness of one’s roles within their community and learn through engagement. Hear from local leaders as we highlight their organizations’ work and center on how community involvement brings about change through care. Learn about the labor of love, community engagement, and how to empower others.

    • Yey Coronel – Executive Director of the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI)
    • Romeo Hebron – Executive Director of the Filipino Migrant Center (FMC)
    • Christian Lising, MD, MBA
    • Kimmy Maniquis – Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Executive Director
    • Aquilina Soriano Versoza – Executive Director of Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) of Southern California

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

    •••

    Physician Burnout: What It Is and How to Navigate

    Explore Filipino-American physician burnout: spot early signs, navigate patient impact, and empower mental health destigmatization.

    • Catherine Kaila L. Manantan, MS – Counseling Psychology, Mental Health Counselor at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
    • Shane Villanueva, MA – Mental Health Counselor at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)

    —
    Tom Davis Founders’ Room

  • In the Collins Alumni Conference Room: two live presentations by researchers from various disciplines, institutions, and levels of training. Each speaker will have ten minutes to present their novel findings, and each session will conclude with an open Q&A where conference attendees can ask questions.

    Following oral presentations in the Robert Kerr Galleria: open floor poster session from additional researchers to showcase and discuss their exciting work. Field experts selected all speakers and presenters amongst all submitted abstracts.

    —
    Collins Alumni Conference Room and Robert Kerr Galleria

  • Operationalizing Equity through Community-Based Participatory Research

    In December of 2022, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services launched a community health needs assessment with the Filipino community by engaging eight community organizations to guide the project. In this workshop, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services staff and community leaders will explore their collaboration, which will include reviewing the community based participatory research process, discussing data collection strategies, and sharing results from the groundbreaking report on the health needs of the Filipino community.

    • Romeo Hebron – Executive Director of the Filipino Migrant Center (FMC)
    • Shiraya Thompson, MS

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

    •••

    The Blueprint to the Bayanihan Project, a Student-Led Fil-Am Health Initiative

    Join us for an engaging exploration into the Bayanihan Project, the first student-led initiative dedicated to advancing the health of Filipinx Americans in the Inland Empire. Discover the ins and outs of establishing your own culturally responsive health education/screening program, complete with an IRB-approved research component. Learn how to overcome challenges, mobilize resources, and make a lasting impact on community health. Whether you're a medical student or an aspiring change-maker, this workshop will empower you to build a healthier future for your local Fil-Am community, embodying the spirit of Bayanihan.

    Filipinx-Americans in Medicine (FAM) at California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM)

    • Clarisa Marie Bloemhof, BS, BA
    • Kimberly (Kimi) De Guzman, BS, MPH
    • Ria Angelica Laxa, BS
    • Paul Vincent Medina, BS, MBS

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    Tom Davis Founders’ Room

  • • Patrick Munar Ancheta, BS
    • Katherine Chua, BS
    • Jacob Less, BS
    • Jaira Mary Joyce Mendoza, BS
    • Isabella Rosenzweig, BS

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    Collins Alumni Conference Room

Most session locations are at the James West Alumni Center at UCLA; other events off-site. Refer to each event for room or off-site location.

Getting Here

Address

James West Alumni Center at UCLA
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Transportation and Parking

Parking

Purchase at the Parking & Information kiosks or at the entrance of the parking structure. An all day pass currently costs $15 per vehicle and $5 per vehicles with handicapped placard. For more information, please visit UCLA Parking Rates and Fees.

Public Transportation

 

Off-Site Social Locations

 

Thunderbolt LA

1263 W Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90026

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Day 0 - Friday, February 15 at 7 PM

 

B Sweet

2005 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

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Day 0 - Friday, February 15 at 7 PM

 

Spoon & Pork

2121 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

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Day 1 - Saturday, February 16 at 6:30 PM

 

Big Boi

2027 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

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Day 1 - Saturday, February 16 at 6:30 PM