June 1, 2001

Members of Patient Care Services (PCS) were entertained, educated and enthralled by a special visit May 29 from actor Tou Ger Xiong (left), who hails from Laos in southeastern Asia. Using his talents as a storyteller and entertainer, Xiong shared his experience fleeing Laos as a child after the communist takeover in 1975 and coming to the United States with his family. With vivid language and animated gestures, he described how he and his siblings grew up trying to balance components of their native culture with the new and often confusing American lifestyle. Through his experiences, Xiong created "Project Respectism," which uses comedy, storytelling and rap music to bridge cultures and generations. The event was sponsored by the PCS Diversity Committee and the Center for Clinical and Professional Development.