Series Preface: Asian Media Access proudly presents “Calling America HOME” Series, inspired by the resilience and hope of immigrants and refugees from across the Asian diaspora who have rebuilt their lives in Minnesota. Through these stories, we invite readers to witness a legacy of survival, determination, and hope forged against impossible odds. 

In this edition, we proudly feature Xiongmee Chang, Nursing Manager at Regions Hospital and a member of the Board of Directors for the Hmong  Nurse Association.

Q1. Can you begin by introducing yourself and describing your journey to Minnesota?

My journey to Minnesota began when I was five years old. My mother and I fled Laos during the aftermath of the Secret War and escaped to Thailand, where we lived in a refugee camp for two years while waiting for the opportunity to start a new life in the United States.

We were sponsored by my great-grandmother and uncle, who helped us settle in Minnesota. Since arriving in America, Minnesota has been the only home I have known. While my mother and I were able to come to the United States, my father remained behind because he was a soldier and could not leave with us at that time. After a year, we heard rumors that my father had passed. During the war, many men would pass away and no one would know. Like many refugee families, our journey was marked by separation, uncertainty, and hope for a better future.

My first few years in America were both challenging and memorable. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and navigate unfamiliar systems. One of my earliest memories is accidentally getting on the wrong yellow school bus, not knowing every school used a yellow school bus system and ending up at the wrong school because I didn’t yet understand English. Looking back, it seems funny, but at the time it was a reminder of how overwhelming those early experiences could be for a young child trying to find their place in a new country.

Despite the challenges, Minnesota provided opportunities for my family to build a new life. Those experiences helped me build my resilience, work ethic, and commitment to helping others. They also inspired my passion for nursing and community service, where I hope to support individuals and families who may be navigating their own challenges and transitions.

Q2. How did your own cultural identity evolve while working in supporting others? How has that work shaped your sense of belonging in both Heritage and American cultures?

Growing up as a Hmong refugee in Minnesota, I often felt like I was navigating two worlds. At home, I was deeply connected to Hmong traditions, language, and values. My mother wouldn’t allow us to speak English inside the house.  We had to speak our own language, but when we were outside of the house, we were encouraged to speak English.  I think this was her way of preserving our culture and language. 

Outside of home, I was learning how to adapt to American culture, education, and opportunities. There were definitely times when it felt challenging to balance both identities, and I sometimes felt like I didn’t fully belong to either world.

My perspective began to change as I entered nursing. Through caring for patients, mentoring staff, and supporting families from diverse backgrounds, I came to recognize that my cultural experiences were not something that set me apart, but a strength that allowed me to connect with others in meaningful ways. My upbringing taught me the importance of family, resilience, respect for elders, and community.

Working in healthcare has also deepened my appreciation for representation and cultural understanding. I have had opportunities to advocate for patients and families who may face language barriers or challenges navigating the healthcare system, much like my own family did when we first arrived in America. Being able to bridge cultures and help others feel seen and understood has strengthened my connection to my Hmong heritage.

At the same time, my career has reinforced my sense of belonging in America. The opportunities I have received through education, nursing, and leadership are opportunities that my mother hoped for when she brought us to this country. I see my life as a reflection of both my refugee roots and the possibilities that America offered our family. Rather than choosing between two identities, I have learned to embrace both.

Q3. How do you balance cultural authenticity while making your work accessible to others who may not be familiar with your cultural traditions?

I think balancing cultural authenticity and accessibility starts with being proud of who I am and being willing to share my story. I have learned that people do not need to fully understand my culture to appreciate the values behind it. When I talk about my Hmong heritage, I focus on universal themes such as family, resilience, respect, service, and community. These are values that people from many backgrounds can relate to, even if they are unfamiliar with Hmong traditions.

In my work as a nurse and leader, I try to create opportunities for learning and dialogue. Rather than assuming others know about the Hmong community, I share experiences and perspectives in a way that is welcoming and educational.I help run our Transition to Regions hospital Practice Program. The Transition to Regions Hospital Practice (TRHP) Program is a nurse residency and fellowship structured program to support learning, role transition and retention of nurses at Regions Hospital. This program helps newly hired nurses acclimate and thrive. Whether you are a brand-new nurse, you’ve been a nurse for 5 to 10 years, or you’re new to Regions overall, we are here to support you to ensure you are successful in your role.

• Develop into a competent professional nurse who provides safe, high-quality care
• Strengthen effective decision-making skills related to clinical judgment
• Integrate evidence-based practice into clinical practice
• Cultivate leadership skills at the point of care
• Grow as a professional nurse at Regions Hospital

I also recognize that I have the privilege of serving as a bridge between cultures. Growing up in a Hmong household while being educated and working in American institutions has allowed me to understand both perspectives. This helps me communicate across differences and find common ground. I do not feel that I have to simplify or change my identity to make it accessible. I focus on sharing it in a way that invites curiosity, respect, and connection. I hear that the Hmong community trusts Regions for Hmong patients because of a greater cultural understanding. I personally can understand the viewpoint on traditional Hmong medicine, such as the use of herbs for healing, while also being able to provide education on Western medicine. For example, if a patient needs to have a procedure done, I can understand that the patient is interested in waiting for a Shaman and advocate for the patient’s health and safety by educating them about westernized options.

I believe cultural authenticity is about honoring where you come from, while accessibility is about creating opportunities for others to learn and connect.

Q4. What were some of the pivotal challenges you faced in building your life in America?

One of the biggest challenges was adapting to a completely new environment at a very young age. When my mother and I arrived in Minnesota, I was only five years old and did not speak English. Everything was unfamiliar, from the language and school system to the customs and expectations of daily life. I remember getting on the wrong yellow school bus and ending up at the wrong school because I didn’t yet understand how things worked. Even as adults, coming to the U.S. and adjusting to a new lifestyle has challenges. For the first couple of weeks after coming to the U.S., my aunt was unknowingly bathing me with toilet water. Every morning back in Laos, my mom would go down to the river to refill a huge barrel of water. We saw the water bowl as a convenience; the water refilled itself, and we didn’t have to go to the river for water refills anymore. While that memory makes me smile today, it reflects how overwhelming those early years were for many immigrant and refugee children trying to navigate a new world.

Like many refugee families, we also faced the challenge of rebuilding our lives after experiencing loss and separation. My father and grandfather remained behind in Laos because they were both soldiers and could not leave with us. Growing up without them during those years was difficult, and my mother and grandmother carried the responsibility of raising our family while adapting to a new country. There were also financial and educational barriers. My mother worked hard to provide opportunities for our family despite limited resources and language barriers. My grandmother stayed home to help care for us and missed her opportunity to learn English and learn how to drive. I primarily learned English at school and I wasn’t allowed to speak English at home. It was important to my mom to keep us connected to our roots, who we really are, and preserve our language and culture.

Today, while many things have improved, some of these challenges still exist for refugee and immigrant communities. Language barriers, access to healthcare, cultural misunderstandings, and navigating complex systems continue to affect many families. I am also concerned that younger generations may lose connection to their cultural heritage and history if we do not intentionally preserve and share our stories. The experiences of Hmong refugees, including the sacrifices made during and after the Secret War, are important parts of American history that deserve and should be remembered. My hope is that by sharing my story and serving others, I can help make the path a little easier for the next generation.

Q5. What impacts do you hope to have on the next generation?

I hope to inspire the next generation to believe that their background, culture, and life experiences are strengths rather than limitations. As the daughter of a Hmong refugee who arrived in America with very little, I want young people to see that where you begin does not determine where you can go. With perseverance, education, and support from family and community, opportunities are possible.

I also hope to encourage young people, especially those from immigrant and refugee families, to pursue careers where they can make a difference. Whether that is in healthcare, education, public service, business, or other fields, our communities need leaders who understand the unique experiences and challenges that many families face. Representation matters, and when young people see someone who looks like them in leadership roles, it helps them believe they can achieve those goals as well.

Another impact I hope to have is helping preserve our cultural heritage. The Hmong community has a rich history rooted in resilience, sacrifice, and service. Many of our elders endured tremendous hardships during and after the Secret War so that future generations could have opportunities they never had. I hope young people take pride in their heritage, learn our stories, and continue to pass them on.

Xiongmee Chang helped bring the Hmong Secret War Nurse Exhibition to Regions Hospital. The exhibition highlights the contributions, history, and courage of many Hmong women.

Read the article about the exhibition here: https://ww1.amamedia.org/honoring-the-legacy-of-hmong-secret-war-nurses/