Kumara Raja Sundar

Healthcare for Humans

Health EN ↓ 88 episodes

This show provides actionable skills in cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity so clinicians, leaders, and neighbors can serve every community better. Hosted by family physician and healthcare leader Dr. Raj Sundar, each episode explores cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity through the voices of patients, clinicians, and system designers who live the work every day. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR Practical ways to deliver culturally competent & culturally responsive care, language-concordant, and trauma-informed care.   Strategies for tackling social det...

Author

Kumara Raja Sundar

Category

Health

Podcast website

www.healthcareforhumans.org

Latest episode

Jun 15, 2026

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Episodes

38 I Navigating Machismo, LGBTQ+ Identity, and Mental Health in Latino Communities (Fernanda Mazcot) 24.01.2024

Summary: In this episode, we continue the conversation with guest Fernanda Mazcot about the challenges of mental health accessibility, focusing on the value of drop-in services in breaking down barriers and making mental health more approachable and inclusive. The discussion also delves into the specific approaches to addressing mental health for the youth in the Latino community, including noncli...

37 I Solutions to the Mental Health Crisis—Culturally Responsive Mental Healthcare by BIPOC, for BIPOC Communities (Fernanda Mazcot) 18.01.2024

Summary: In this episode, we discuss the challenges and barriers individuals from different cultures face in accessing mental health support, featuring guest Fernanda Mazcot. We explore the stigma and perceptions of mental illness within Latino communities, emphasizing the need for better understanding and conversation around mental health. Mazcot shares her personal experience as a caregiver and...

36 I Advancing Healthcare Equity: A Recap of Healthcare for Humans' Journey (Raj Sundar) 27.12.2023

Summary: In this solo episode, host Raj Sundar reflects on the past year and the growth of the "Healthcare for Humans" podcast. He shares insights into the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple roles alongside personal responsibilities and celebrating milestones such as reaching 34 episodes and adding new team members. Raj discusses the importance of facilitating meaningful conversations, e...

35 I Therapeutic Violence—How Mental Healthcare Falls Short in Immigrant Communities 12.12.2023

This episode features community leaders and prior podcast guests Ahmed Ali, Joseph Seia, Jennifer Huong, James Hang, and Morhaf. The episode delves into the complexities of mental health care within culturally diverse communities, emphasizing the need for culturally competent and trustworthy healthcare professionals and the challenges of language barriers, historical oppression, and cultural stigm...

34 I Filipinos— Beyond the Rice Cooker: Cuisine and Cultural Values of the Filipino Community (Devin Cabanilla) 27.11.2023

In this episode, host Raj Sundar engages in a conversation with Devin, a dedicated community organizer within the Filipino-American community, exploring the intersection of nutrition and cultural values within healthcare. Raj and Devin navigate the intricacies of Filipino cuisine, delving into its complexities influenced by various cultures. The discussion extends to the challenges of providing di...

33 I Filipinos— The Story of the "Forgotten Asians" (and how did we get SO MANY incredible Filipino nurses in healthcare?) (Devin Cabanilla,) 20.11.2023

In this episode, host Raj Sundar explores the history and experiences of Filipino Americans in the healthcare profession with guest Devin Cabanilla. Together, they discuss the complex identities of Filipino Americans shaped by colonization and diaspora and its impact on their contributions to healthcare. The conversation covers waves of Filipino immigration to the U.S., from early 1900s elite stud...

32 i Care and Technology: Empowering Families as Collaborators in Healthcare (Tanja Ahlin) 06.11.2023

In this episode," we continue our conversation with Tanja Ahlin, a researcher and anthropologist. We delve into the complex dynamics that arise when family members bring their own healthcare knowledge into the mix. As a family medicine physician, I've come to realize the significance of this phenomenon and the valuable insights that family members can offer. However, there is often skepticism or h...

31 I Caring Across Borders: Navigating the Complexities of Transnational Care Collectives (Tanja Ahlin) 24.10.2023

In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans," host Raj Sundar is joined by guest Tanja Ahlin, a researcher and anthropologist, to explore the concept of good care in the context of chronic illness and care collectives. They discuss the limitations of healthcare systems' metrics for measuring success in chronic illness care and emphasize the importance of finding individualized approaches that go bey...

30 I Shankar Rai: A Surgeon's Journey from Rural Nepal to International Recognition 09.10.2023

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, host Raj Sundar interviews Shankar Rai, a pioneering plastic surgeon from Nepal. Shankar shares his incredible journey, from being the sole healthcare provider in a remote area without access to surgical facilities, to becoming the creator of Nepal's first medical residency program for plastic reconstructive surgery. He discusses the importance of long-ter...

29 I The Story of "Healthcare for Humans" and My Reflections on Cultural Communication in Medicine 25.09.2023

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, Dr. Raj Sundar is interviewed by Dr. Anne Liebel on her podcast, 10 Minutes to Better Communication. Dr. Sundar discusses the story behind Healthcare for Humans and his journey to provide better care to culturally diverse communities. He shares his experiences communicating with patients with different values and worldviews and how he turned to podcasting...

28 I Refugee Series/LIVE from North American Refugee Healthcare Conference—The Power of Stories, Community Voice, and Mutual Support 04.09.2023

In today's episode, we have a special treat for you as we recap the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) held in Calgary, Canada. This conference, hosted by the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and community scholars to discuss and address the unique challenges refugees and immigrants face in accessing healthcare. Joining...

27 I Refugee Series/Humanity Amidst Chaos: The Resilience and Determination of James Achuli, a South Sudanese Refugee 21.08.2023

James Achuli is a refugee student studying International Relations at the University of British Columbia. He first arrived in Calgary, Canada in February 2022 as a refugee. At the immigration office, James was asked about his identity and where he came from. He shared his experiences of being born during the civil war in Sudan, growing up as an internally displaced person, and witnessing the destr...

26 I Refugee Series/Boban Stojanović : Triumph Over Trauma - A Tale of Hope, Resilience, and Acceptance 15.08.2023

In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans" from the North American Refugee Conference, Dr. Raj Sundar records guest Boban Sojanovic, a Serbian Canadian peace and LGBTQ+ human activist, to share his incredible journey of resilience and hope. B Boban faced death threats in his homeland and had to flee to Canada, where he dealt with melanoma and the suicide of his father. Through poetry and therapy,...

25 I Refugee Series—The Human Faces of Refugee Trauma: Dr. Barakat Shares Stories of Survival 08.08.2023

This episode features Dr. Suzanne Barakat, a family physician and executive director of the Health and Human Rights Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Barakat shares her experiences and expertise in working with refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons, shedding light on the terminology, history, and challenges these marginalized communities face. She emphasizes...

24 I Culturally Sensitive Nutrition—Are You Still Talking about "Whole Grains"? (Aliyah Haq) 25.07.2023

Aliyah Haq is an experienced registered dietitian with a career spanning 25 years. As the former president of Nutrition First, a prominent public health organization, she spearheaded a nationwide program emphasizing the importance of holistic nutrition education. In this episode of "Healthcare for Humans," host Dr. Raj Sundar and guest Aliyah Haq delve into the topic of culturally sensitive nutrit...

23 I Reflection Series—The Power of Cultural Humility and Cultural Safety to Transform Healthcare (Maha Razzaki) 08.07.2023

Join me, Dr. Raj Sundar, and my colleague Maha Razzaki, as we navigate the complex terrain of cultural competence, humility, and safety in healthcare. Listen in as we delve into the differences between these concepts and their impact on providing culturally responsive care. Maha shares her experiences as a Program Manager for a Member Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program, and we discuss the im...

22 I Latine/Using Community Health Workers to Care for the Undocumented (Dr. Ponce-Gonzalez) 26.06.2023

When I first met Dr. Ponce Gonzalez, I was struck by her passion for the Latinx community and her dedication to making a difference in their lives. In today's episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with her to discuss the unique challenges Latina workers face in the healthcare system and the complexities of the Latinx community. As the founder and executive director of the Community Health W...

21 I Latine/Caring for Undocumented Latinx Patients Through Illness Narratives (Dr. Odette Zero) 13.06.2023

Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast How can we make sense of suffering and create meaning in our lives through illness narratives? Join us as we welcome our special guest Odette, a family medicine physician who specializes in caring for the Latinx community, particularly undocumented individuals. In t...

20 I AAPI—Do You Even Know Who The "Cham Refugees" Are? (Tagoipah Mathno) 29.05.2023

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tagoipah, a second-generation Cham refugee from the greater Seattle area. Tagoipah shares the important distinction between refugees and immigrants and how their families and community were forced to flee Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge era. We also explore the rich history and identity of the Cham people, an indigenous minority...

19 I Latine/Afro-Latinx—What Do You Mean Black AND Latinx? Navigating Racial and Coloristic Oppression as an Afro-Latina (Sandra Huber) 14.05.2023

In this episode, we dive deep into the Afro-Latino Latinx identity, as experienced by Sandra Huber from Panama to the United States, where her identity shifted from being simply Panamanian to being labeled as Hispanic, Latina, and eventually Afro-Latina. We discuss the challenges of navigating racial and coloristic oppression within Indian and Latin American communities, as well as within broader...

18 I Latine/DACA-From Undocumented Immigrant to Family Medicine Doctor: The IMPACT of DACA (Ale Duran) 24.04.2023

In this episode, I share the inspiring journey of Dr. Duran, a family medicine resident who immigrated to the US from Mexico at the age of 14. Despite facing obstacles such as being undocumented and not having a Social Security number, Dr. Duran pursued higher education with the help of supportive individuals like her high school teacher, Mrs. Holland. We delve into the challenges Dr. Duran faced...

17 I Latine/Mexican—What's the Real Story about Mexican Immigration to the US? (Dr. Jerry Garcia) 11.04.2023

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, we talked to Dr. Garcia again and delve into the often-overlooked history of Mexican immigration in the United States and its connection to the labor market. From desperate times to discriminatory attitudes, we uncover the complex story of Mexican immigrants and their contributions to the country's workforce. We explore the structural causes that have shap...

16 i Latine—Wait, or is it supposed to be Hispanic, Latino, Latinx or Chicano? (Dr. Jerry Garcia, Daniel Padron) 30.03.2023

Dr. Jerry Garcia is a professor at Texas Christian University with expertise in teaching Chicano/Latino Studies, US History, and Mexican History. He was previously the Vice President for Educational Programs at Sea Mar Museum, where he curated the new Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture in Seattle, WA. His deep commitment to promoting education, diversity, and inclusion has made a positiv...

15 I The Model Minority Myth—Be small, Don't take up so much space, Don't cause trouble (Dr. Denise Yu) 14.03.2023

Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Earn CME Credits: Clinicians, enhance your learning by earning valuable continuing education credits while listening. Utilize your CME funds to join our community. Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our...

14 I Chinese–How do you support someone through their "immigrant sorrow"? (Ron Chew & Tessa Chu) 27.02.2023

Ron Chew is an activist and changemaker. Since the mid-1970s, he has worked as editor of the International Examiner, director of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience, and as the executive director of the International Community Health Services Foundation (ICHS) for Seattle’s Chinatown International District (CID). He is currently the head of Ron Chew Communications. Tessa Chu is a...

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