Episode Description: Georgia’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are growing — and so is their political influence. Michelle speaks with AAPI advocates, elected officials, and journalists about representation, civic engagement, and the power of storytelling in shaping Georgia’s political landscape.

Notes: Learn more about the advocates, officials, and journalists interviewed below:

Segment 1: Activism Old and New

• Lani Wong – Chair & Founding Member, National Association of Chinese Americans

Bio: https://www.naca-atlanta.org/team/lani-wong/

Lani Wong has been a tireless advocate for Georgia’s growing AAPI community for well over 40 years. She is regarded around the US as one of the foremost AAPI advocates in the entire country. Her work has been an integral part of the AAPI community’s increased political participation in Georgia that we see today. Lani was appointed to the Asian-American Commission for a New Georgia and the Georgia Human Relations Commission by Governor Roy Barnes, was made chair of the first Georgia Commission on Asian-American Affairs by Governor Sunny Purdue, and served under Atlanta Mayors Kasim Reed and Shirley Franklin.

Segment 2: AAPI Voices Under the Gold Dome

• Rep. Sam Park – Representative, Georgia State House of Representatives, HD 107

Bio: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/bios/park-sam-4901.pdf

Representative Sam Park has served in the Georgia State Legislature since 2017. He currently serves as the House of Representatives Minority Whip. In his time under the Gold Dome, Whip Park has introduced comprehensive civil rights legislation, co-sponsored legislation to expand Medicaid in Georgia and defeated discriminatory legislation targeted at minority communities. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judicial, Ethics, Higher Education, Industry and Labor, Intragovernmental Coordination and Technology & Infrastructure Innovation committees, as well as an Ex-Officio member of the Rules Committee.

• Rep. Long Tran – Representative, Georgia State House of Representatives, HD 80

Bio: Representative Long Tran has served in the Georgia State Legislature since 2023. Long is the son of Vietnamese refugees and is a small business owner of the beloved Peachy Corners Cafe. He is one of the most outspoken voices at the Capitol for the AAPI community against discriminatory legislation, and a champion for small businesses. He serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment Natural Resources & Environment Technology and Infrastructure Innovation.

Segment 3 - Representation Through Reporting

• Li Wong – Founder, CEO & Publisher, Georgia Asian Times

Bio: Li Wong is the founder of Georgia Asian Times and a pioneer of Georgia’s AAPI Community. Georgia Asian Times is the largest digital news media outlet that covers Georgia’s diverse AAPI community. Beyond their extensive coverage of the AAPI community, Georgia Asian Times covers finance, health, lifestyles, food, arts, entertainment, and events. In addition, they consistently host enlightening conversations with local and state officials, electeds, and community leaders to provide Georgians with more insight into the goings-on of their state.

This field episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Michelle creates space for constituents to share concerns and priorities. Filmed on location at one of Johns Creek’s favorite local restaurants, Arepita Cafe, this field episode highlights how listening to community voices directly shapes policy decisions at the Georgia State Capitol.

Notes:

This town hall episode was originally recorded on October 28th, 2025. At the time, the US federal government was in the midst of its longest shutdown in history. Much of the discussion on the day surrounded the fallout from the government shutdown including the cutting of SNAP benefits and other crucial services that hurt hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Then, we discussed state level policy related to smoking and vaping, specifically the prevalence in schools. This episode was filmed just a week before municipal elections, so we also discussed local elections and ballot referendums including a vote on a performing arts center in the district.

The lever arm of public health is prevention, and in this episode, Michelle explores why preventive care needs to be more of a legislative priority in Georgia. Joined by physicians and public-health experts, the conversation examines how prevention — from tobacco cessation to chronic disease management — improves health outcomes while reducing long-term costs to Medicaid and the workforce. This episode breaks down why investing in prevention is both smart health policy and sound fiscal policy.

Notes: The bulk of this episode was originally recorded on August 16th, 2025, eight days after a gunman opened fire at on the campus of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, killing Dekalb County Police Officer David Rose. It features the following distinguished physician-advocates:

Segment 1: Health Policy in Practice

Dr. Harry Heiman: Director of the DrPH Program at the Georgia State School of Public Health

Bio: https://publichealth.gsu.edu/profile/harry-heiman/

Dr. Heiman is Clinical Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. Prior to joining Georgia State, he served as Director of the Division of Health Policy at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he was also Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, with more than 20 years of clinical practice experience. Leveraging his experience as a primary care physician and expertise and experience in health policy, Dr. Heiman’s work focuses at the intersection of health policy and health equity.

Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber – Professor of Medical Education in Internal Medicine at the Augusta University / University of Georgia Medical Partnership

Bio: https://medicalpartnership.usg.edu/team_member/theresa-rohr-kirchgraber-md/

Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber is a professor of medicine and clinician educator who joined the faculty of AU/UGA Medical Partnership in March 2021. Her leadership positions have included 1st Hispanic president of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), Vice-Chair of the American Medical Association (AMA) Women’s Physician Section, AMA Minority Affairs Governing Council and the Dissemination and Implementation Steering Committee for the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative with the American College of OBGYN. Dr. Rohr-Kirchgraber is passionate about the need for increased diversity in healthcare. Her clinical expertise is in primary care for adults and adolescents, especially those with chronic conditions.

Segment 2: Prevention Under Pressure – CDC Insider Perspective

Dr. Barbara Marston: Former Deputy Director for Science and Program, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, CDC

Bio: Dr. Marston retired from CDC as the Deputy Director for Science and Program in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria. Dr. Marston has worked on CDC's Ebola response, the Division of Global Health Protection's Health Recovery Branch, and CDC's response efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Dr. Marston received the Global AIDS Program Humanitarian Award and the Center for Global Health Director's Medal of Excellence in Global Health for her contributions to public health in Haiti.

In this field episode, Michelle hosts a special concert at the Georgia State Capitol featuring members of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra with Johns Creek native — and The Voice Top 20 finalist — Mikaela Ayira, celebrating the Symphony’s then upcoming international tour to Vietnam. Filmed on the Capitol’s South Wing Steps, the performance showcases the breadth of Georgia’s cultural talent through classical selections, a BTS–Beethoven K-pop fusion, and Ayira’s original single Disguise. The performance highlights the diversity and creativity of a leading cultural institution in her district. After the concert, Michelle interviews the Symphony’s new music and artistic director Dr. Henry Cheng about the role of the arts in civic life, cultural diplomacy, and youth engagement. The episode captures the power of music to connect people and strengthen communities across Georgia.

Notes: Learn more about the people and places interviewed in this episode:

Henry Cheng: Music Director and Artistic Director, Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra

Bio: https://johnscreeksymphony.org/henry-cheng/

Henry Cheng is an internationally recognized conductor who has led performances across Europe, Asia, and North America. His work has been featured at venues such as the Berliner Festspiele, the Singapore Art Museum, the Steirischer Herbst Festival, and the Kaohsiung Performing Arts Center. He studied at Georgia State University, the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, and the University of the Arts in Berlin.

Mikaela Ayira:

Bio: https://www.mikaelaayira.com/

Mikaela Ayira, recent alumna of HD 50’s Chattahoochee High School, is a rising singer-songwriter who gained national attention as a standout contestant on NBC’s The Voice, where she advanced to the Top 20 and secured a spot in the Top 5 on Team Snoop Dogg. Mikaela just recently performed the National Anthem at the Chiefs vs Broncos NFL game on Christmas Day!

https://johnscreeksymphony.org/

Michelle explores how listening, empathy, and clinical problem-solving translate into stronger political leadership. Physicians and advocates discuss how medical training shapes legislative approaches, what lawmakers often miss about public health, and why patient-centered thinking can make government more responsive and help lawmakers work collaboratively.

Notes: This episode features the following distinguished legislator and physician-advocates.

Senator Chuck Hufstetler: Georgia State Senate, SD 52

Bio: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/bios/hufstetler-chuck-838.pdf

Senator Chuck Hufstetler has served in the Georgia State Senate for 13 years. He is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Health & Human Services, Higher Education, Rules and the Appropriations Subcommittees on Judicial and Economic Development. Sen. Hufstetler has worked as an anesthesia PA at Redmond Regional Hospital in Rome, GA since 2008.

Dr. Sofia Chaudhary: pediatric emergency medicine physician

Bio: Dr. Chaudhary is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. In addition to her clinical work, she focuses on pediatric injury prevention, particularly in the realm of firearm safety. Dr. Chaudhary has published numerous articles in medical journals and publications on gun safety in the home, gun violence/injury prevention, and treatment of gunshot injuries.

Dr. Keisha Callins: Ob/gyn

Bio: Dr. Callins, MD, MPH, is an obstetrician/gynecologist with Community Health Care Systems, Inc. She is committed to providing women's healthcare services especially in rural and underserved areas of Georgia, specifically Gray and Jeffersonville, GA.

Dr. Reed Pitre: Psychiatrist, Mercy Care Atlanta

Bio: Dr. Pitre is a psychiatrist at Mercy Care, Atlanta’s only Federally Qualified Health Center with a dedicated healthcare for the homeless program. Mercy Care promotes health equity by providing medical care to those most in need.

Rep. Dr. Michelle Au sits down with leading Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters Greg Bluestein, Maya T. Prabhu, and Ariel Hart to explore how journalism shapes political outcomes in Georgia. They discuss how stories are built, what reporters wish lawmakers understood, and how media coverage influences legislative strategy. This episode offers a candid look at the relationship between elected officials and the press, and why a trusted, independent media is essential to transparent government.