AAPI Voices: Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Resilience
- VEG
- May 1
- 8 min read
The 2025 AAPI Heritage Month theme, "A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience," honors the hard work of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders who’ve established a foundation for future generations to thrive and adapt to change and adversity.
The AANHPI community makes up a small percentage of the veterinary industry—less than 10%! Anusha Balakrishnan and Karena Joung, two VEG leaders and emergency veterinarians in the AANHPI community, have spent many years working in vet med and are passionate about sharing their experiences and increasing AANHPI representation in the industry. Here they recount their journeys and share the future they’d like to create for generations to come.
What is your role at VEG?
ANUSHA: I’m VEG’s director for emergency certificate education. I help run VEG’s ER CERT program, which aims to grow experienced emergency doctors and help them take their skills to the next level.
KARENA: I’m the senior hospital director for VEG hospitals in Maryland, overseeing operations, medical teams, and nursing care. I ensure seamless hospital operations, top-tier medical quality, and a compassionate and supportive environment for our dedicated medical teams.
You both have pretty different backgrounds. Can you share your journey into veterinary medicine and what inspired you to pursue this career?
ANUSHA: I grew up in India, where veterinary medicine was not a typical or easy career choice. After high school, I completed five years of vet school and decided to pursue further training in the United States. I fell in love with emergency and critical care medicine during my internship at UW-Madison and then completed an ECC residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Once I became an ECC specialist, I spent the next several years as faculty at the Ohio State University and then at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, where I was head of the Emergency and Critical Care Department and started the ECC residency training program—before finding my way to VEG in 2022.
KARENA: Since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school in 2003, I’ve dedicated my career to emergency veterinary medicine—not just for the patients, but also for pet owners. I believe that exceptional veterinary care extends beyond medicine; it’s about fostering trust, empathy, and collaboration with those who love their pets the most. That’s why I came to VEG in August of 2020. It’s a thriving community, where pet owners, VEGgies, and our rDVM partners come together to provide the best care for patients. I am also deeply passionate about creating a positive workplace that makes our teams feel supported and valued. When this happens, high-quality medicine follows naturally.
How has your cultural background influenced your career path and experiences in veterinary emergency medicine?
ANUSHA: My first few years in the U.S. as a new veterinarian were stressful. The pressure to assimilate culturally—from my accent, to my food/drink preferences, to my clothing—added an extra layer of stress. As I’ve grown more comfortable in my skin, I’ve come to embrace my identity rather than shrink away from it. For example, my last name is tough to spell and pronounce, so I used to tell customers to call me “Dr. B” to make things easier for them. Now I proudly use my full name, and it’s been wonderful to see folks make an effort to pronounce it correctly. It’s really come full circle for me at VEG. It’s such a welcoming environment, where I see many more AAPI team members in varied roles.
KARENA: In my Taiwanese American upbringing, values like hard work, respect for others, and the pursuit of success were deeply ingrained, but I sometimes felt that our voices weren’t always heard. Perhaps this is because in Taiwanese culture, hard work is often demonstrated through actions rather than words. Over time, I’ve realized the importance of being assertive. While dedication and respect are essential, so is ensuring that our voices are part of the conversation. True change happens, not only through hard work, but also by confidently sharing our perspectives with the world.
Were there any significant challenges you faced as an AAPI woman in this field? How did you overcome them?
ANUSHA: Imposter syndrome—feeling like I didn’t belong or deserve to be in the room. I looked different than everyone else and my background wasn’t like theirs. And, I had to jump through way more hoops than most folks in the veterinary ER field.
The ECFVG exam (which most internationally trained veterinarians are familiar with and dread) was tough because I failed the surgery section on my first attempt, because I exceeded the allowed time to spay a dog by five minutes. Yes, it’s THAT punishing! As a board-certified specialist at the time, it brought back those feelings of imposter syndrome. But my approach is, and always has been, to keep my head down and work hard.
KARENA: Though rare, the moments of discrimination I’ve faced have been deeply memorable. One time a referring veterinarian mocked my name, calling me “Dr. Ching Chang Chung.” The experience was both hurtful and shocking; a reminder of the biases that still exist.
Overcoming these moments requires a strong sense of self-worth. I refused to let it define me, instead responding with integrity and professionalism. Unfortunately, research has shown that AAPI women are often ranked the lowest in leadership perceptions, adding another layer of challenge. But, strength and perseverance pave the way forward, and in that journey we find incredible allies, champions, and fellow AAPI professionals who uplift and support each other.
What impact do you think greater representation of AAPI professionals in veterinary medicine can have on the industry?
ANUSHA: I rarely saw women of color, specifically AAPI women, during my training. While this number is slowly improving, we are still far from tapping into the potential this community has to offer the veterinary ER world. When you see someone who looks like you succeed in your field, it helps you believe that anything is possible.
KARENA: AAPI veterinarians make up a small minority within the U.S. veterinary profession. Increasing AAPI representation in the field is essential—not only to inspire future generations but also to foster a more diverse and inclusive industry. This leads to broader perspectives, stronger connections with clients, and a more compassionate, forward-thinking society. We also help build a profession that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Have you had any mentors or role models who helped shape your career? What advice did they give you that still resonates today?
ANUSHA: Two AAPI alumni from my vet school in India, who had forged a path to becoming successful veterinarians and educators in the U.S., have been my mentors for the past two decades. They’ve taught me to be proud of my identity, and the unique strengths I bring to the table and the value of perseverance and hard work. “Put in the work and the rewards will come” was always their advice. It has stuck with me all these years!
KARENA: Growing up in the U.S., I often found myself without role models who looked like me or understood my experiences, but I was fortunate to have a strong role model right at home—my mother. After immigrating from Taiwan, she worked as a file clerk at an insurance company and faced racism, sexism, and ignorance. But instead of anger, she responded with dignity and resilience. She taught me that the best way to break stereotypes is to lead with integrity, strength, and an unwavering work ethic. When I’ve felt the effects of stereotypes and discrimination, like her, I’ve refused to let them hold me back. Success isn’t only about breaking barriers; it’s about showing up, staying true to who you are, and leading by example.
Can you share a particularly meaningful case or moment in your career that reinforced why you love this work?
ANUSHA: Lots of clinical cases from my time on the floor have stayed with me, but now I get to live vicariously through the VEGgies who graduate the ER CERT and brag about the amazing things they do, the lives they save, and the skills they’re excited to practice. Here’s a message from one VEGgie we received recently:
“VEG’s ER Cert has challenged me in ways I haven’t been pushed since graduating eight years ago. It has quite literally changed the way I practice for the better. . . . I will continue to pass the knowledge I’ve gained this year and pay it forward as you’ve done for us. Thank you again for all you do.”
Messages like these remind me why I love my job and how gratifying it is to share knowledge and teach others.
KARENA: Two years ago, I attended a local veterinary association dinner. As I was chatting with a colleague, I heard, “Dr. Joung, is that you?” I turned to see a smiling Asian American woman and instantly recognized her as one of my externs from years ago. She shared how much that externship meant to her and how deeply she appreciated my mentorship. When I was starting out, I didn’t have many role models in veterinary medicine who looked like me, but now I had become that AAPI role model for the next generation. Knowing I made a difference in her journey means the world to me.
What advice would you give to young AAPI individuals who are considering a career in veterinary medicine?
ANUSHA: Embrace your identity but don’t be afraid to explore new things, meet new people, and share new ideas and experiences. Approach every opportunity and interaction with curiosity. Keep learning, as everyone has something to teach and share.
KARENA: Be strong and courageous. Honor your values, stay respectful, but never be afraid to find and use your voice in a way that feels authentic to you. Know that many of us have faced similar challenges. Seek out your champions, allies, and AAPI colleagues who uplift and support you. Together we create a stronger, more inclusive future.
How do you think cultural awareness and inclusivity can enhance the veterinary experience for both customers and professionals?
ANUSHA: Having different backgrounds and strengths helps us understand and communicate with our customers and makes us better advocates for our patients. Years ago, I helped with a case that involved a terminally ill dog. The veterinarian on the case discussed humane euthanasia, but it was received poorly by the customer and their family. When an AAPI nurse colleague and I stepped in to help, we spoke in the family’s preferred language and learned that religious considerations made humane euthanasia difficult to accept as an option. We worked with them to come up with a palliative care plan to keep the pet comfortable and ease his suffering. The customers were extremely grateful, and several weeks later after the dog had passed peacefully on his own, they sent the hospital a lovely thank you note. Experiences like these can make a stressful visit to the ER much more comforting for pets and their families.
KARENA: We’re all vet med professionals, but our unique experiences and perspectives influence how we care for each other and our pets. Cultural awareness and inclusivity helps us to be more compassionate and understand the diverse needs of the people around us. Take end-of-life decisions for a pet, for example. These moments are incredibly emotional and can bring about different viewpoints. By approaching these conversations with empathy and open communication, we can work together to find the best path forward—one that respects both the pet and their family’s wishes.
You all have given us some great insight and gems here. What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
ANUSHA: Say yes to every opportunity and seize it. You never know where your career will take you! Ten years ago I never would have envisioned the amazing opportunity I have at VEG. Trust the process!
KARENA: As an AAPI, I know I can be very hard on myself. I’m constantly working on showing myself the same compassion I give others. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through my mistakes and successes is to make sure I show up the way I want to show up. I constantly remind myself not to compromise my integrity for anyone or anything. And I give myself the love I truly deserve.
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