Joy Chang is a new resident physician with the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology.
Medical School: University of Kansas
Why did you choose the medical field? I wanted to help people not only understand their medical conditions and treatments but also teach them how to prevent or delay the onset of medical conditions. Medicine combines my passions in understanding the human body with caring for and educating people. Physicians advocate for people to feel empowered to be actively engaged in their healthcare. I have the opportunity to be a part of people’s lives in striving for a higher quality of life both physically and mentally.
What made you choose anesthesiology? Through my experiences in medical school, I realized what I value the most in medicine: to serve as patients’ advocates and be there for them during vulnerable times. Anesthesiologists are at the forefront ensuring patient safety and comfort. Anesthesiologists are responsible for the most critical pieces like hemodynamic stability and airways and also the quality of the patients’ comfort by managing pain and alleviating anxiety. My strengths in being proactive and perceptive fit this extremely personalized approach. It is a privilege to provide care during vulnerable times and address the most pertinent patient needs.
List three accomplishments you are proud of:
- I ran my first half marathon with no running background.
- I created a service that offered free hearing tests and free hearing aids at my medical school’s student-run free clinic.
- I recently learned how to make pies from scratch.
List three things about you that others may not know:
- I was a competitive dancer for fifteen years.
- I studied abroad in Costa Rica in college.
- I am always down for outdoor activities and sports, especially sand volleyball.