DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Hi everyone! My name is Donna and I am a fourth-year studying Molecular & Cell Biology. I joined VHIO my freshman year because I wanted to serve underserved communities, specifically the Limited-English Proficiency population, while breaking language barriers in healthcare. I have met so many amazing and supportive people through VHIO and can't wait to see what this year has in store! In my free time, I enjoy shopping, watching videos, cooking, and trying new recipes! Looking forward to meeting you all!

DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

I'm Jiyoon and I'm a 4th year studying Integrative Bio. I joined VHIO in my sophomore year because I wanted to utilize my language skills to help the community and work together with others that also care about increasing access to healthcare. In addition to the work we do, I've come to absolutely love our passionate and supportive community❤️ In my free time, you can probably find me in the music practice rooms or in Sharetea (oops). I'm always open to food/cafe and music recommendations! Looking forward to getting to know you all :}

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL AFFAIRS

Heya! I'm Megan and I am currently a senior majoring in MCB and CS. I joined VHIO my freshman year because I wanted to put my ability to speak Cantonese to good use! I grew up around relatives within the limited English proficiency population so it has been extremely rewarding to help others within the community who face similar challenges posed by the language barrier. On top of that, I am so grateful for the supportive community in VHIO! In my free time, I like to read, try new restaurants, and play tennis!

CHINESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Chen and I’m a second year majoring in Nutritional Sciences. I joined VHIO as a first year as I was intrigued by VHIO’s mission to bridge the language and cultural barriers between LEP populations and their access to healthcare. The idea of being able to use what I had—the ability to speak a second language—to help others in need really drew me to the club. During my time in VHIO, aside from meeting a great group of people with similar passions for helping LEP populations, I’m so thankful to have been able to really deepen my understanding in regards to obstacles the LEP population faces as they attempt to receive healthcare. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing percussion, and playing volleyball. Please feel free to reach out! I feel lonely sometimes…

CHINESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! My name is Cai, and I’m a senior majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology. I joined VHIO as a sophomore because I wanted to use my bilingual skills to bridge the language barrier that many people in my community faced and serve as their health advocate. I gained valuable experiences both within VHIO and while serving the community. I am so excited to be serving as one of the Chinese Department Coordinators this year! In my free time, I like to watch cooking videos, try new food places, listen to music, and hang out with my friends. Looking forward to another great year with everyone!

SPANISH DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

- Junior, Chemistry

- Joined my sophomore year

- I joined VHIO because I wanted to help mitigate the language barrier within the medical field. It is one of the main reasons why most LEP communities hesitate to reach out to their healthcare resources which is why Im really passionate about changing that. I love VHIO because of how rewarding it is to see patients feel more comfortable being in a room with a physician that cannot clearly communicate or understand their needs. Also, I think it is really easy to create and become a part of the community at VHIO. Everyone is so welcoming and nice, so it was easy to make friends even as someone, as myself, that is more introverted. - Some things I love to do on my free time is going to cafes, thrifting, shooting film(even though I rarely do it now), and going to concerts!!

SPANISH DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello! My name is Cristal Ludena, and I am excited to serve at VHIO's Spanish Co-Coordinator this academic year! I am a third-year majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on health and illness. I joined VHIO as a sophomore and am grateful for the opportunities I had of serving the limited-English proficiency (LEP) community. Growing up in a low-income, LEP community I understood that language barriers and the lack of cultural competency contributed to poor health distributions and other disparities in healthcare. As a VHIO volunteer, I directly help serve and advocate for the LEP community by offering free interpretation services. In my free time, I enjoy reading novels, creating spotify playlists, playing board games with friends, exploring the city, and karaoke! Feel free to reach out anytime!

VIETNAMESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello everyone! My name is Hieu Pham and I am currently a 4th year MCB major with an emphasis on Neurobiology. I joined VHIO my fall sophomore year and I joined VHIO because as a kid I have always been helping my dad with medical translation. Throughout the years, I have become passionate about wanting to help more people in a similar situation as my dad. On my free time, I love to play soccer/tennis, boba runs, workout, and play video games with my friends. I am also a big fan of Bruno Mars and The Weeknd (Abel)!

VIETNAMESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Chào bạn! I am Cindy, a fourth year studying Molecular and Cell Biology and I joined VHIO as a second year. There are several reasons why I decided to join VHIO, but ultimately, I wanted to help bridge the language barrier so that a greater number of people in my community can access quality healthcare. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and TV shows and playing tennis.

KOREAN DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! I’m Allie, and I’m a third-year studying nutritional sciences (PM). I joined VHIO as a freshman because its mission closely aligns with my passion for reducing health disparities, as well as my previous experience in serving vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare. I like to dance or watch dramas in my free time, and I also love to explore good restaurants and bakeries. Looking forward to getting to know you all and making amazing memories together in VHIO!

KOREAN DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hazel is a junior at Berkeley, double-majoring in immunology and data science. She enjoys learning about different facets of science and is still deciding which avenue of study she wants to dedicate her life to. When Hazel isn’t busy exploring science, she spends her time listening to music while building lego and solving Rubik’s cubes.

TAGALOG DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Chantel, and I'm a third-year studying Molecular & Cell Biology. I'm so excited to be serving as Tagalog Department Coordinator! I joined VHIO my sophomore year, and it's been such a rewarding experience. VHIO has given me a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy in healthcare and serves as a reminder that compassion knows no language boundaries. In my free time, you can catch me curling up with a good book, treating myself to boba, or enjoying the fresh air at the beach! <3

TAGALOG DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! I'm Richel :), and I'm a third-year student studying MCB. I joined VHIO during my freshman year because I wanted to meet people who share the same language and passion as me. I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, and language should never hinder anyone from receiving proper medical attention. I love VHIO because it has given me the chance to assist individuals with LEP. In my free time, I enjoy digital journaling, taking photos, and exploring new coffee shops! ☕📸

JAPANESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi Everyone! I'm Tolou, one of the Japanese Language Coordinators this year! I'm a junior studying Molecular and Cell Biology. I joined VHIO my sophomore year, and I love being able to use one of my native languages to help bridge the gap of language barrier in healthcare. In my free time, I love to cook and enjoy trying out new recipes! Hosting a dinner party is one of my favorite ways of spending a Friday night 🙂

JAPANESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! I'm Ashita, a 2nd-year studying Molecular & Cell Biology and Data Science. Having joined VHIO as a freshman with a passion for increasing healthcare accessibility in the Bay Area, I'm incredibly excited to serve as the Japanese Department Coordinator this year. I grew up in Japan as an Indian-American, and navigating family health issues posed some language barrier-related challenges. Inspired by the kind healthcare professionals who helped us, as well as my hard-working parents, I aspire to provide the same support to others. In my free time, I love running, playing basketball, cooking, and listening to music (Rap/R&B/City-pop). Looking forward to continuing working with everyone at VHIO!

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

2nd year, BioE

Joined VHIO during freshman year

I joined VHIO to fully utilize my language skills and to help out the LEP community

I love VHIO since our mission is clear, the events are fun, and the people are nice

In my free time, I love to gym and hangout with friends.

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! My name is Jun Park and I am a senior majoring in Applied Mathematics. I am very excited to be one of the Education Coordinators this year! I joined VHIO last year and I am grateful to have met such a great community of volunteers that share the same passion to help Low-English Proficiency populations in the Bay Area. In my spare time, I love to cook or explore hidden gem restaurants in the Bay Area. I also love listening to music and watching Basketball!

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Hey! I'm Kevin, a second-year majoring in MCB. I joined VHIO as a freshman looking to make an impact by bridging language barriers in healthcare and quickly had many pleasant and rewarding experiences working with our local LEP community. I loved our organization so much that I'll be teaching the main section DeCal with Jun this year! VHIO duties aside, I relish reading good journalism and following college sports, so hit me up if you want to see a Cal game hahaha. Can't wait to meet all of you 🙂

FINANCE COORDINATOR

Hi! I am a senior majoring in Toxicology and minoring in Public Health, and I am this year's Finance Coord. I joined VHIO as a junior because I wanted to give back to the community and improve my Chinese. In my free time, I dance and am in a few dance orgs on campus!

LANGUAGE COORDINATOR

Hey everyone! My name is Matthew, and I am a third year student studying Data Science and Molecular and Cell Biology. I joined VHIO during the Fall semester of my sophomore year because I wanted to utilize my language skills to serve and understand the needs of our community. Through VHIO, not only was I able to take part in reducing the language barrier in medical settings, I was also able to form deep bonds with students who shared the same passion of serving the Limited-English proficiency community. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, hiking, playing table tennis, and watching dramas. I look forward to meeting with you all and feel free to reach out to me!

HISTORIAN

Hi y'all, I'm a third year Molecular & Cell Biology and Anthropology double major and will be the historian this year. I joined VHIO as a sophomore, and I enjoy the supportive environment with incredibly talented individuals here. In my free time I enjoy jogging, watching anime, gaming (Switch), explore new places with my camera and some drawing/painting. (OvO)

WORKSHOP COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Lilia Dow-Yuzawa and I am a junior studying Molecular and Cell Biology. I joined VHIO my freshman year, and it has allowed me to stay connected to my Japanese background, serve fellow Japanese people who face barriers to accessing proper medical care, and meet amazing people along the way! I enjoy playing basketball and volleyball in my free time, and love exploring new restaurants!

WORKSHOPS COORDINATOR

Hello! My name is Arhant and I am a junior double-majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Public Health. I joined VHIO my sophomore year because I have always been passionate about bridging public health disparities, and loved the idea of getting to apply my second-language skills in such a context. I love being a VHIO volunteer because we hold a special responsibility to advocate for patients and bridge different cultures and experiences through language. I am extremely excited to be one of the Workshop Coordinators this year to help educate our members about a diverse range of important topics in healthcare! In my free time, I enjoy reading, biking, traveling, and studying languages.

SOCIALS COORDINATOR

I am Eugene, a sophomore majoring in molecular and cell biology. I joined VHIO in my freshman year, and it's been a wonderful time so far! As someone who feels strongly about bridging gaps in healthcare, being a part of VHIO has enabled me to actively advocate for what I feel passionate about. The VHIO community is friendly and supportive, and I can always turn to my peers and seniors to consult my worries or have a heated debate on the best boba place at Berkeley. In my free time, I love watching films and trying new dishes.

SOCIALS COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! My name is Ryan and I am a 2nd year CS major. I joined VHIO my freshman year and I'm so grateful for the amazing people I've had the opportunity of working with during my year in this amazing club. I joined VHIO to help the LEP community after seeing my grandfather get ignored countless times in the final moments of his life. If I'm not stressed out with classwork, you can probably find me grabbing boba at Purple Kow or going on a late night drive!

PUBLICITY COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! I am Minju Shim, a second year student at Berkeley intending to major in MCB and Public Health. I joined VHIO my freshman fall and I absolutely love it! As an immigrant myself, I had hard time adapting into the new place especially because of the language barrier. I wanted to help out the LEP population who were experiencing the same situation as me, which is why I joined VHIO! I’m my free time, I like to crochet and take pictures!

PUBLICITY COORDINATOR

Major: BioE and EECS

Hi all! My name is Lucile, and I’m currently a third year. I joined VHIO in my second year and it’s been one of my most rewarding experiences at Berkeley. I really appreciate having the opportunity to engage with and help the LEP communities in the Bay. I’ve also met so many amazing and supportive people in VHIO that I’m honored to call my friends. In my free time I enjoy roaming campus/the city, reading, and watching cooking shows. I look forward to an exciting year with y’all!

SENIOR ADVISOR