About Me

What inspired you to become an editor?

Shortly after my daughter was born, my partner and I spent our family leave immersed in memoirs—many written by survivors of the Khmer Rouge. I couldn’t help but think about my parents’ and relatives’ experiences as survivors as I kept reading. My mother often shared stories of the suffering, grief, fear, and pain she and her siblings experienced as children. But she also told stories of resilience. Courage. Camaraderie. As a family, they persevered through famine, extreme labor, disease, and threat of violence while in the labor camps. Together, they walked across fields riddled with landmines because, even as children, they knew that there was more to life than war.

Through my mother’s stories and the memoirs of other survivors, my relationship with words and my identity as a Khmer American both began to transform. I no longer wanted to simply read stories—I wanted to help others shape their own. I had a new mission: to specialize in editing services and empower others to share their truths. I hoped to develop the literary prowess to be an editor who could help others elevate their stories, voices, and experiences that deserve to be told.

Even while returning to full-time remote work and raising an infant, I followed my heart and earned a certificate from the University of Washington’s Editing Program. Editing is my outlet for processing my intergenerational trauma and, in turn, my other identities. I am a Khmer American, but I am also a husband and father. Through this work, I hope I can help my daughter develop her own meaningful relationship with her Khmer American heritage.

A young man with glasses and tattoos working at a table in a library, surrounded by bookshelves filled with books, with a large open book, a laptop, and headphones on the table.

How do your lived experiences influence your approach to editing?

Too often, English-speaking writers, editors, and critics remain confined by the (often Eurocentric) grammar conventions they were once taught. These prescriptive and elitist attitudes fail to recognize that grammar goes beyond a set of conventional rules. Although grammar is a set of guidelines for how we can communicate, it cannot tell us how we should communicate. Grammar shapes meaning, but meaning should always drive grammar.

As a non-binary Khmer American, I know how it feels to share one’s truth in a world that may not always make space for it. I had to break conventional norms to make space for my own truth. Because of this, I believe that there is a type of liberation—and self-actualization—that can only be found in one’s own written words. I cannot write those words for you or say speak them on your behalf. But I can guide you toward them, help you shape them, and make sure they ring true to who you are.

I am not here to enforce rules; I am here to help you follow rules when you want to follow them and, more importantly, break the rules when you want to break them. My priority is ensuring that your voice is heard exactly as you had intended. Instead of snuffing out your voice with rigid corrections, I will help you share your writing with conviction, rather than regret.

What shapes your life beyond editing?

I am a proud parent to a sharp-witted toddler who already channels the attitude of a teenager.

I am a husband of an incredible woman I’m endlessly grateful for.

I am an administrator at Seattle Children’s Hospital, dedicated to making a difference in the pediatric residency program.

I am a nerd with a passion for dabbling in most things geeky and fun (currently Silksong).

A man holding a young girl with a woman standing next to him at an outdoor event, with a decorated tent and other people in the background.

My Administrative Experience

  • Graduate Medical Education

    Residency Program Scheduler

    Oct. 2024 - Current

    • Create and manage the annual block schedules for the Pediatric Residency Program's residents.

    • Develop, produce, and maintain daily call and shift schedules, elective schedules, and clinic attendance schedules for each resident.

    • Ensure compliance with RRC and ACGME guidelines, UW School of Medicine requirements, and SCH service needs.

    • Work with community-based clinic sites to ensure residents receive requisite community-based practice training.

    • Create and maintain databases to track extensive data related to the residency program and each resident.

    • Revise and standardize technical documents and recurring emails.

    Pre-Anesthesia Testing Center

    Administrative Assistant

    October 2021 - October 2022

    • Redesigned and optimized the Call Log system in Smartsheet, addressing and resolving data loss issues.

    • Managed and triaged voicemails related to scheduling COVID-19 testing for children requiring anesthesia-based procedures.

    • Trained and coached administrative staff and onboarding RNs on Call Log workflows to ensure seamless adoption.

    • Supported the Nurse Team in transitioning from Smartsheet to the EPIC CRM system for improved efficiency.

    Gastroenterology and Hepatology

    Provider Deployment Coordinator

    August 2023 - October 2024

    • Oversee the deployment process, ensuring providers are scheduled in their respective clinics, procedural services, and inpatient services up to 12 months in advance.

    • Act as the primary point of contact for deployment-related questions or concerns, including the Service Line Leader, Nurse Manager, Business Operations Managers, and Schedulers.

    • Coordinate out-of-state outreach clinics and patient lists.

    • Support leadership in deployment planning, implementation, and performance monitoring.

    • Continuously refine deployment databases and systems, such as QGenda, EPIC HRC (Scheduling), Outlook, and SharePoint.

    Administrative Assistant

     July 2021 - August 2022

    • Provider Support: Attend to non-patient–facing tasks to improve provider efficiency and decrease delays in admin duties, such as reimbursement processing, schedule auditing, technical support, and travel tracking.

    • Co-created and presented a departmental anti-racism survey, presented results on the Health Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan and Code Purple (Behavioral Health Crisis Alert) Listening Sessions, presented on the disproportionate impacts of social engineering on marginalized communities.

    • Other Duties as Assigned: Safety Coach, Provider meeting scheduling, reimbursement processing, Provider licensing, meeting minutes, event planning, office supply management, Cheer Committee, weekly newsletter.

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Clinics

    Clinic Coordinator

    Feb. 2021 - Sept. 2021

    • Meaningfully interacted with patients, caregivers, and clinic staff to ensure a smooth flow of services and to promote SCCA’s core values (Kindness, Inclusivity, Balance, Honesty, Disruptive Innovation, and Engagement).

    • Accessed WAIIS for real-time record-keeping to keep vaccine distribution on track.

  • Operations and Infrastructure

    Admin Coordinator

    Aug. 2020 - Jul. 2021

    • Utilized previous strategic plan records to develop a multi-departmental accountability matrix for identifying action steps in addressing legacy issues.

    • Collaborated with Direct Service Directors in developing prevention and response action plans to maintain day and shelter services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    • Coordinated with Director of Infrastructure to maintain operations during office and shelter renovations.

    • Supported the Director of Operations in cash donation processing, apprentice paystubs, and general administrative services

    • Assisted in onboarding the 2020 Director of Human Resources to update HR-related materials and procedures.

    • Oversaw the front desk to greet guests, volunteers, donors, and external nonprofit directors and to respond to administrative needs.

    Case Management

    Case Manager

    Aug. 2019 - Aug. 2020

    • Aided in rapidly resolving youth homelessness through creative solutions and acute financial support.

    • Supported clients in addressing barriers to housing, financial independence, and personal and interpersonal wellness.

    • Attended weekly case conferences to advocate for clients to receive subsidized housing based on the clients’ financial status, age, disabilities, citizenship, and life-altering experiences.

  • Case Management

    AmeriCorps

    Oct. 2018 - Sept. 2019

    • Piloted a cross-sectional survey regarding internal communication methods to reduce departmental siloing.

    • Redesigned and facilitated a cohort of 6 clients in acquiring and maintaining employment.

    • Piloted an enhanced shelter-oriented program promoting stability for Case Management clients.

    • Provided intern-level individualized support and coaching for clients with chronic and unique needs.

    • Facilitated training sessions for volunteers to learn the basics of youth homelessness, anti-oppression, and conflict response based on the needs of the shelter guests.

  • Economic Justice

    Housing Justice Fellow

    Aug. 2018 - Feb. 2019

    • Identified accessible resources for gender diverse communities with housing instability to develop a housing resource guide.

    • Developed and applied a comprehensive survey for trans individuals who have experienced homelessness in King County.

  • Center for Learning and Undergraduate Enrichment

    Front Desk Manager

    Jan. 2016 - Jun. 2018

    • Served as the primary point of contact for administrative and technical issues related to the tutoring center, as well as responding to student crises with discretion and care.

    • Managed the setup and breakdown of tutoring-related equipment, ensuring seamless operations.

    • Assisted in the recruitment process, including interviewing, onboarding, conducting orientations, and facilitating a weekly course for tutors to enhance their skills and effectiveness.