Meet the Team: Raenilynn Timbol, Project Assistant, Research
Welcome to our blog series, “Meet the AAPCHO Team,” where you’ll have a chance to get to know our staff! Meet Raenilynn Timbol, as they answer some questions.
What’s your role at AAPCHO?
My name is Raenilynn Timbol (she/he/they) and I serve as AAPCHO’s Project Assistant for the Research team.
What are three Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian (NH), or Pacific Islander (PI) health topics that you think people should know about? Who are three AA and NH/PI health champions that you think people should know about?
It is very important for the public to understand the unique health disparities that AA and NH/PI communities face. For example, mental health is often overlooked in AA and NH/PI households. It is common for our parents to deny its existence, so educating the public is crucial. Moreover, AA and NH/PI individuals have also been at the forefront of life-changing health discoveries. Some prominent AA and NH/PI pioneers include Dr. Margaret “Mom” Chung, the first Chinese American to become a physician who also was an ally to the new, growing queer community at the time, and Dr. Feng Zhang, a respected biochemist who learned how to improve human health by rehabilitating diseased, stressed, or aged cells to a more healthy state.
How would you describe what community health centers do and why they should support them to someone who may not be familiar with them?
Community health centers are pivotal to the development of communities. Often, community health centers are put in place to help those who might not have access to quality health care. In Southern Nevada, where I live, our community centers offer services such as primary care, sexually transmitted disease care, mental health care, and infectious disease care. The people we must care for the most start in our local communities. We must enact change and advocate for our communities before moving onto bigger scales. Community centers do so much for those who need it and it is our job to ensure that everyone around us has equal access to healthcare whenever they need it.
What are you most looking forward to in your new position at AAPCHO?
I am super excited to work with like-minded people. I have spent the last three years working on AA and NH/PI advocacy and legislation, even participating in Day On The Hill, where I discussed pertinent issues in the AA and NH/PI community. Advocacy and equity are extremely important to me. As I venture into a career path, I eventually want to pursue a doctorate in Public Health & Chemistry. I hope to learn from the AAPCHO team. I would like to take away true people skills and use my privilege to work with marginalized communities.
What is your favorite or go-to childhood comfort food?
Hands down, Beef Nilaga. It has never wavered from my #1 favorite and comfort food for as long as I can remember. Nothing will ever beat it, and I suggest everyone try it! I love mine with extra patis (be careful of the peppercorn!).
