Catherine Chung and Johnny Nguyen (Asian Women For Health), and Preston Dang (Western University-College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific), will discuss their current collaborative two-year research study project, ACCESS-PD: Advancing Comprehensive Care & Enhancing Service Standards in Parkinson’s Disease among Asian Americans.
The study examines cultural and systemic barriers that Asian Americans face in accessing care and participating in research studies for Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD patients, family care partners, clinicians, and community advocates are the four main stakeholders. Currently, the study is recruiting family care partners nationwide for a survey examining their experiences to improve services.
Come learn how to look out for signs of Parkinson’s, what key barriers exist for Asian Americans to receive better care and services, and critical findings from the ACCESS-PD research!
Catherine Chung (CC) is a strategist with extensive experience in program management and partnership development at mission-driven organizations and high-growth tech companies. With a background in organizational development and human-centered design, she is passionate about building inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities. As the Senior Program Manager of Asian Women for Health, she works to advance health equity for Asian women and marginalized communities. She leads the ACCESS-PD Parkinson’s disease research program with Tufts University and the Racial Justice in Health advocacy program by the Blue Cross Blue Shields of Massachusetts Foundation. Previously, she managed R&D programs and enablement at Twilio, led economic and community development for the RI design sector at DESIGNxRI, and managed a national network of student innovators using design for social impact at Design for America. She is a board member at Community MusicWorks and has volunteered at the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. She has a B.S. in Social Policy and Education and a minor in International Studies from Northwestern University.
Johnny (Thanh) Nguyen is the Program Coordinator at Asian Women for Health, where he focuses on supporting and advocating for women and underserved communities. A Vietnamese native, Johnny’s cultural background plays a significant role in shaping his approach to his work. He graduated as valedictorian from Bay State College, where he developed a foundation in both academics and practical skills. With a background in marketing, Johnny uses his expertise to improve outreach and raise awareness about important health issues, including Parkinson’s Disease. Johnny is passionate about learning about and understanding the challenges faced by community members and is dedicated to providing the necessary support and resources. His goal is to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
Preston Dang, MPH, is a current first-year medical student at Western University-College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, graduate of the MPH program at Tufts University School of Medicine in 2023, and graduate from UCLA with a degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics in 2020. He has previously served as Research and Evaluations director of Asian Pacific Health Corps at UCLA, an undergraduate health service organization that promotes healthy lifestyles and alleviates health disparities among Asian and Pacific Islander communities in greater Los Angeles. He has been working as a research assistant on the ACCESS-PD project since its very beginnings and is greatly passionate about research concerning disparities and the health of Asian American populations. In his spare time, Preston enjoys playing soccer and practicing Taekwondo as a 3rd degree black belt.
