[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MELISSA TRAN AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
           ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 5, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2023, I recognized Melissa Tran as 
a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Asian American and 
Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Melissa Tran is a marriage and family 
therapist and obtained her Master of Arts in 2008. Ms. Tran relocated 
to Florida from Washington in 2011 when she began serving the Central 
Florida community as a therapist at the Department of Veteran Affairs. 
Her early federal career included serving as the region's Asian 
American Pacific Islander representative with the Vet Center. She also 
served in various roles for the Florida Family Therapy Alliance from 
2014 to 2021, such as in the diversity committee and leadership 
development team.
  Ms. Tran is also the military sexual trauma coordinator and leads 
initiatives advancing perinatal services at the Orlando VA Health Care 
System. In 2020, she founded Perinatal Reproductive Education Planning 
and Resources (PREPARe), which provides comprehensive, accessible, and 
equitable perinatal care to Veterans. Her contributions to perinatal 
care for Veterans and their families are transformative, setting a new 
standard of care and support for some of the most vulnerable 
populations in Central Florida.
  Ms. Tran has received multiple achievements and recognition for her 
work, some of which include the 2021 Under Secretary for Health's Dr. 
Robert L. Jesse Award for Excellence in Innovation and the 2023 
FedHealthIT Disruptive Tech Change Agent Award. She was also a 2022 
Federal Asian Pacific American Council Civilian Awards nominee and was 
named one of Modern Healthcare's Top 25 Emerging Leaders in 2023.
  Ms. Tran is the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. Her faith and 
heritage are woven into her identity and practice with the deep need to 
focus on care for marginalized communities. As a Vietnamese American, 
wife, and mother of two children, her values are rooted in 
compassionate kindness as a provider, advocate, and role model for 
other people of color.

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