SF AHEC Scholars: Meet Lily Su!
Lily Su (She/Her) is a Psychology student at San Francisco State University who simultaneously completed the Community Health Worker Certification Course at the City College of San Francisco. During the 2025-2026 Program Year, Lily participated the One-Year Scholars Program, completing the Program Requirements by June 30th, 2026.
Q: Why did you become or want to become an SF AHEC Scholar?
I became an SF AHEC Scholar because I wanted to learn more about community health and see how it connected to what I was learning in school. I also wanted to apply that knowledge in a real clinical setting. I appreciated the program's flexible timeline, which made it easy to balance with school. Alan was also an amazing director who was always supportive and easy to communicate with. I had a great experience in the program—my only complaint is that I can't do it again!
Q: How has the AHEC Scholars program prepared you or will prepare you for success in your health professional career?
Through my 120-hour internship at a public health center, I saw how behavioral health, primary care, and social services work together to support patients. Working with predominantly older Chinese patients also showed me how culture, language barriers, stigma, and ageism can prevent people from seeking mental health care. This experience strengthened my commitment to pursuing social work and providing culturally responsive care that improves access to mental health services for under-served communities.
Q: What advice/recommendations do you have for other students trying to pursue a career in healthcare/public health/community health?
Healthcare offers many different career paths, so keep an open mind and explore what interests you. Every experience teaches you something about yourself and the communities you want to serve. I also encourage students to work with under-served populations, such as people with limited English proficiency or communities of color. It can be incredibly meaningful and helps you better understand the barriers many patients face when accessing care.