Rendr Providers Highlight Preventive Care and Community Health During AAPI Heritage Month
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and this year’s theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together,” Rendr launched a campaign highlighting the healthcare needs of the Chinese community and the importance of preventive care, integrated care, and community partnerships.
Three Rendr physicians shared their experiences caring for Asian immigrant patients and discussed how language barriers, cultural differences, and limited familiarity with the U.S. healthcare system continue to affect access to preventive care and early screenings.
Dr. Kelvin Lin, a Family Medicine and medical house call physician, immigrated from Fujian, China to the United States at age 10. Growing up, he often served as the “medical translator” for his family, helping his parents schedule appointments, understand test results, navigate specialist referrals, and manage medical bills. He noted that many immigrant families prioritize work and daily responsibilities over preventive care, often delaying routine checkups and screenings.
Dr. Anthony Tam, Internal Medicine, shared a deeply personal experience that shaped his approach to medicine. Although his father appeared healthy and maintained an active lifestyle, he was never screened or treated for hepatitis in time and later developed liver cancer. His father passed away at age 57. The experience reinforced Dr. Tam's commitment to prevention, early detection, and patient education.
Dr. Chun-Kit Chan recalled one of his first patients after opening his practice in 2000, a Chinese man in his 30s with few symptoms who was later diagnosed with hepatitis B and advanced liver cancer. He emphasized that many chronic illnesses, including hepatitis B, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer, progress silently without obvious early warning signs, making routine screenings especially important.
The physicians also discussed how Rendr’s value-based care model focuses on prevention, chronic disease management, and coordinated care. Through integrated primary and specialty care, providers can work closely together to provide faster referrals, shared treatment plans, and more comprehensive follow-up care. Data analytics and care coordination teams also play key roles in identifying care gaps, monitoring health risks, and reminding patients about necessary screenings, medications, and follow-up appointments.
Dr. Chan shared the story of a patient who rarely sought routine preventive care. After multiple outreach efforts from Rendr’s care coordination team, the patient completed a recommended breast cancer screening, which detected cancer at an early stage. She was able to receive timely surgery within the Rendr network, leading to a successful recovery.
For patients with limited mobility, Rendr offers medical house call services that bring care directly into the home. Dr. Lin explained that the house call team provides annual wellness visits, chronic disease management, and post-discharge follow-up care, while also educating patients and caregivers on fall prevention, medication management, and home safety strategies that help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life.
Beyond clinic services, Rendr continues to partner with community organizations and health insurance payors to host educational seminars and outreach programs focused on prevention and early detection. The physicians emphasized that healthcare providers should not simply wait for patients to seek care, but should actively bring high quality care, healthcare resources, and education into the community.