What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?

I never really thought that I was mad for science, ever, and then when I went to college, I really liked chemistry. So, I was a chem major for two years, but when I became a junior, I didn’t want to get stuck in labs. I was getting a lot of knowledge, but socially and interpersonally, I wasn’t growing much — without any human contact. You’re just in a room with an experiment. So, I wanted to change my major, and decided to take some psychology classes. It’s not completely like science, but has scientific methodology. I ended up majoring in Bachelor of Science in psychology. I was never like a science person. If anything, I was more like an arts person; I loved paintings and even went to art competitions when I was in high school. I didn’t think I was gonna be a doctor. Because I loved psychology so much, I thought I was gonna become a psychiatrist. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to go to med school. It was never for the love of science.

Has your perspective on medicine changed?

I think when you start in med school, you start to learn a lot about diseases and physiology. You think you know a lot, but when you start practicing, you don’t know much. Like what patients bring is different from what you learn from textbooks. I think the more you get to learn about patients, it gets frustrating. You just realize how much you don’t know. I think it’s more difficult than what I had realized.

What is it about science and medicine that people are so attracted to these days?

I think it’s the prestige in society. Doctors having that social status. As a mass public, you might like it because of your interest in science. I actually don’t know why people are attracted to pursue it. Unless, you just find it fascinating personally. I respect people who could get through 10 pages of reading without falling asleep — like political science, history, or literature majors.

What advice would you give to those who are interested in the field?

Follow your heart. At any point if you feel like medicine is not for you, just drop it and look at other options. You cannot just do it because it gives you good future security. You have to sacrifice so much and dedicate your whole life to it. Money is not the thing these days. Just explore the options.

What are some of the issues that you see in medicine?

There are so many issues… I think for me, it’s the inequality of access to medicine. Like even people in America, people who have illnesses cannot get treated due to lack of transportation and etc. I go to HIV clinic once a week. These kids were abandoned since young age, sell drugs, [have been] abused, and etc. It’s shocking when I go there. Well that’s one thing that I am concerned about. I think healthcare should be available to everybody. I think it’s basic human rights.

What are some of the challenges that you experience as a pediatrician?

Right now, I am not seeing so many patients because I am doing research. One thing that I was frustrated about was people come from different countries. It’s hard to come to a clinic and express their illnesses. Even with language translators, it’s hard for them to fully express themselves. And I think having in-person interpreters help a lot, but that’s rare. Because America is so diverse, being able to communicate well is frustrating. I guess I am frustrated for the parents.

As an Asian-American woman in the medical field, do you experience particular challenges? 

I think in medicine, you being Asian is not minority. Honestly, there are so many Indians, Chinese, Koreans, and etc. We definitely take a whole lot in the field. There are no disadvantages really. I mean, to be honest, in medicine, being Asian is better than being not.

Has serving people through medical practice shaped your faith in some way or another?

I think I already had my faith in God. Like I was interested in art, but for some how, I came to this field and I’m sure sure God had plans for me. I am still in the process. I guess every step that I go through — like there are a lot of tests or schools — but if God has plans for you, they will happen. Regardless of what happens. Like, I didn’t always get perfect scores on tests, but I still got here with God’s plans. With God’s will, anything can happen.

If you were a guest speaker at a college — to share your “success” story — what would you address?

I will just say, don’t limit yourself. You really can be anything you want to be if you don’t limit yourself. Truly, follow your heart. You cannot marry someone just because that person has a good job or income. Same with a job, you can’t just work for money. I mean, you can, but I know I can’t. Just be honest with yourself.

Last but not least, what makes you happy?

When I have enough sleep and when I have good relationships with my parents and my friends. And, having meaningful conversations. I can’t hangout being like “oh my god… blah blah blah…” That’s one of the reasons why I hated high school.