Ervin Yen, MD

Oklahoma State Senate, District 40 (2014-2018)

Biographical Info (hometown, experience, specialty): Born in Taipei, Taiwan.  Moved to Oklahoma City at 4 years old.  Practiced in Oklahoma City for 30+ years primarily as cardiac anesthesiologist.

What other leadership positions have you held (AMA, Specialties, PACs)? When? 

President of Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists 2008.  Oklahoma delegate to American Society of Anesthesiologists for 15 years.

Which Program (Campaign School/Candidate Workshop) did you attend?  

Candidate Workshop January 2014.

Have you run for public office? What was the result?  Never.

Successfully elected to 40th District of Oklahoma State Senate in 2014, in my first run for public office.

Why did you decide to take part in the AMPAC program? 

I decided that the more advice I got on campaigning the better.  Being a novice at campaigning, I had a tremendous amount to learn and the workshop helped me to learn it.

Have the programs helped in your political/advocacy career? How? 

Absolutely!  The candidate workshop helped me to get more comfortable with the various aspects of campaigning.  I even got a contribution from another attendee at the workshop!

What was the most beneficial component of the AMPAC program for you? 

A lot of the candidate workshop was material I had already heard elsewhere, but it definitely helped solidify that material in my head.  The videotaping of my stump speech and subsequent critique was probably the most beneficial component.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other physicians or spouses who are considering a run for office or actively campaigning for a medicine-friendly candidate?

For a state legislative seat, you MUST knock on doors!  I can tell you the person who is going to win is the person with the best tan!  You also MUST be able to ask people for money.  If you cannot do these two things, DO NOT run.  It would be a waste of everyone’s time and resources.  You MUST be willing to put in the time.