Cancer doctor says access to education and diverse viewpoints is key to American dream and innovation

Through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026. Among them is John Shen, the Medical Director of Oncology and Tertiary Care for Heritage Provider Network.

My parents immigrated from Shanghai, China. Right when they came here, they had my older sister, and then, actually, two years later I was born … They heard a lot of the stories of how people without necessarily a lot of financial resources were able to come [here], work hard, establish themselves and create opportunities for their children and future generations.

I grew up in Pasadena and went to high school at John Marshall Fundamental. After that I went to college at Stanford University. I studied biological sciences and …  went on to medical school at the University of California, Irvine. After medical school, I went on to my medical residency at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, and, after that, I went on to my fellowship in hematology oncology and geriatric medicine at UCLA, where I’ve recently joined the faculty there as an attending.

I think access to education is the great equalizer. Education comes in many forms. It’s structured, it’s unstructured. It’s in the classroom, it’s through the world [and] experiences. 

I think having access to education in a formalized setting — but more importantly, also, a less formal setting, social interactions, meeting others, hearing about others’ work, learning about new opportunities, being able to pursue them and contribute to them — is really how I see our youth flourishing and developing their minds, and their futures.

I think America being the hodgepodge that it is, people coming from all walks of life, many different countries, cultures, religions and backgrounds, that collaboration, and being able to, go to a university setting where everyone can interact on an equal playing field and share ideas …  is really what expands ideas and, and makes new ideas pop up.

I’d say philanthropy is really important for the American dream … part of the reason I went into medicine was because … it’s incredibly important to have ongoing access to health[care], no matter what your background or means are. I believe strongly in that.

The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.