Field Placement: Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training (AANCART)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Preceptor: Marjorie Kagawa-Singer
Student Name: Jeannie Nguyen
Year: 2008

I completed my field studies under the guidance of my preceptor Dr. Marjorie Kagawa Singer, PhD, MA, MN, RN at the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training (AANCART), which is located on the UCLA campus.  The mission of the Los Angeles chapter of AANCART is to eliminate cancer disparities in Asian American communities of Los Angeles and Orange Counties in California.  The mission is achieved through the goal of partnering with community-based organizations in reducing cancer disparities among Asian American communities in Los Angeles County.  Dr. Kagawa Singer is the Principal Investigator of a program to provide Korean immigrants with colorectal cancer screenings and patient navigation in Los Angeles.

My main objectives for AANCART were to develop a protocol for cancer screening and navigation activities for AANCART’s colorectal screening program, and to create a strategic plan for insuring Korean Americans.  My task was to create a protocol that would guide not only AANCART, but also other organizations unfamiliar with this program through the process of not only screening participants for colorectal cancer, but also navigating them through the Los Angeles County USC health system.  Among my activities, I was able to conduct peer navigation of patients through the LAC+USC health system.  I was able to document the steps to getting a patient through colonoscopy workshops and the actual procedure itself, in addition to applying for financial assistance. 

In AANCART’s work with the Korean American community, they found that many of their program participants were either underinsured or simply not insured at all.  Because of the various financial and employment factors and deterrents, it is very difficult for Korean Americans, particularly in Los Angeles, to obtain and pay for health insurance. To address this, my job was to collect data, talk to community members and stakeholders, and research insurance companies and other community HMO models in order to come up with a strategic plan to address this problem.  I was able to conduct five one-on-one interviews with Korean business owners and employees, and collect over 60 questionnaires with information about barriers to obtaining health insurance, as well as some demographic information.  I was able to use the all information gathered to write a strategic plan for insuring Korean Americans in Los Angeles. 

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