If you could swap places with anyone in President Obama's cabinet, you likely would not choose Kathleen Sebelius, the embattled secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services overseeing Obamacare. But you aren't Tammy VuPham, whose passion for public health and actually, people in general, makes her a great choice to represent Georgia in Washington, D.C., if only for a week. VuPham, a senior at Atlanta International School in Buckhead, has been selected as one of two Georgians students to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program for outstanding high schoolers interested in pursuing careers in public service. For a week in March, VuPham will join students from other states in Washington, D.C., hobnobbing with senators, Supreme Court justices, top bureaucrats, the President and his cabinet, maybe even Sebelius, who could use a friendly face. "It has been very tough for her, with the challenges she has faced with the complexity of this type of national program," VuPham said. "I admire how she has handled everything."
Q: Are you a government geek?
A: I have studied U.S. government and I do love politics. More importantly, I want to go into public health. I am an intern with Emory University’s Task Force for Global Health. That really has helped me look at our public health system, at how programs are made and will effectively help others in the future.
Q: If you could change anything about our health care system, what would it be?
A: I would definitely love to see more concentration on mental health. Of all the public health issues that our government has tried try to ameliorate, mental health is still very much overlooked.
Q: How were you chosen for the Senate Youth Program?
A: I was nominated by my school, where I am a member of the student council. I then had to take a civics and government test about basic laws, congressional acts and constitutional rights, as well as some current events. Then there was an interview.
Q: That sounds hard. Was it?
A: Honestly, I was very surprised to get to the interview round. I very much appreciated being selected because I know there were other great candidates.
Q: Why do you think you were selected?
A: I am very involved with social work and social activism at school. Because of my family’s background, I have been involved with the refugee community in Georgia and internationally.
Q: What is your family’s background?
A: My parents were refugees of the Vietnam War who came here when they were around my age. I have always had my foot in two cultures — one in Vietnam and one here.
Q: Have you ever been to Vietnam?
A: I went this past summer — it was my second time. Honestly, I felt very out of place because I am so American. At the same time, I look exactly like any other Vietnamese person. My background has motivated me to work harder for all the opportunities I have here because Vietnam is still a developing country.
Q: How have you reached out to the refugee community?
A: I created a partnership with in which girls from my school can help guide girls at a school in Decatur for refugees through the American way of life. Just talking to my parents about their lives, it is very tough not to have support. I also have fundraised for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
Q: Have you ever been to Washington, D.C.?
A: Just for vacation to see the cherry blossoms but I’ve never actually been in any of the federal buildings.
Q: So you’ll meet the President?
A: There is always a great class picture.
Q: And if you could swap places with anyone in his cabinet, it would be with Sebelius?
A: I would like her position — but don’t tell her.
The Sunday Conversation is edited for length and clarity. Writer Ann Hardie can be reached by email at ann.hardie@ymail.com.
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