Yat Ching Fung, MD

Yat Ching Fung, MD ’24, was born and raised in Hong Kong. His professional trajectory has been diverse, spanning roles in the real estate development industry, navigating the vast landscape of private tutoring. He has also contributed to the education sector as a panel head teacher for STEM and Science. Additionally, he has served as a podiatrist (DPM), delving into the intricacies of foot care. These experiences have granted him a profound appreciation for the richness of human interaction across various spheres of life.

However, after volunteering for a time in Sri Lanka and India, Dr. Fung found that his true calling was in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

“My interest in OB/GYN was sparked there as I gained invaluable insights into reproductive health,” Dr. Fung said. “Many of the women lacked access to maternal and reproductive services due to poverty and cultural norms that discouraged them from seeking healthcare. The experience strengthened my resolve to pursue a field where I could provide excellent reproductive healthcare, advocate for the vulnerable, and do my part to reshape societal paradigms that harm women globally.”

For him, pursuing an MD is not merely an academic pursuit but a lifelong commitment to serving humanity with dedication and compassion. Learn more about Dr. Fung’s medical education at SGU and his advice for aspiring physicians.

SGU: What did it feel like to match into residency?

Dr. Fung: The Match week itself is truly a whirlwind. When I read the much-awaited email, saying “Congratulations! You have matched!” I felt a huge relief. I know I am going to be an OB/GYN!

After four more days of anticipation, I finally learned that I matched into my first choice! It was definitely the best day of my life so far. I could not wipe off my smile for days. All these years of endeavors are finally paying off!

SGU: What was your experience during the match process? How did SGU’s Office of Career Guidance help you during that time? 

Dr. Fung: The OCG has helped me tremendously by providing seminars on the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) timeline and NRMP (National Resident Matching Program) application, assistance with CV and personal statement editing, preparing for the MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation), statistics on SGU students matching into various specialties with their scores in the past, advice on visas for visa-requiring candidates like me. I cannot be more grateful towards the help from my mentors and the OCG staff, which made the daunting and tedious match process a lot easier.

SGU: What are your long-term career aspirations within the field of medicine?

Dr. Fung: My ultimate goal is to become a compassionate and skillful practitioner who serves patients to the best of my ability and supports women at all life stages. My experiences as a podiatrist have taught me to pay close attention to detail to ensure accurate diagnoses and the impact of compassionate care on patient outcomes. I am eager to contribute to the advancement of the field with my enthusiasm, determination, and strong work ethic.

SGU: How do you balance work and your personal life?

Dr. Fung: Medical school is a marathon. Striking a balance between arduous work and my personal life is a combination of effective time management, self-discipline, and efficient study methods. I set goals for the day or week for where I want to be (catching up with lectures, preparing for small group, exams, etc.) and then prioritized personal time when I felt like I was not in the headspace to focus. I would go out for a walk, hang out with friends, or treat myself a nice dinner or a movie before returning to the materials. I usually spent a Friday night off every week to make sure my brain and soul were refreshed, and I had something to look forward to every week. This kept me extremely motivated and got burnt out far less easily.

SGU: How did SGU contribute to your academic success and prepare you for the USMLE exams?

Dr. Fung: SGU has a well-designed curriculum that covers most of the areas covered on USMLE step 1. I am fond of the formative and summative assessments every three to four weeks to make sure I am caught up with the curriculum.

The school provides not only didactic lectures but problem-based learning, small group tutorials, and IMCQs where I learned the materials with my colleagues. All electronic resources are available for student access. These helped me consolidate complex concepts in basic medical science and integrate the materials on clinical application.

SGU: What was it like living in the UK during your first year of medical education?

Dr. Fung: I spent the first year in Newcastle, UK and it was such a fantastic experience. I received a great education from both the in-house faculty and visiting professors from within prestigious schools in the UK.

SGU: What advice would you offer to aspiring medical students from your home country considering a similar path?

Dr. Fung: Going to SGU is a life-changing experience. I have met great friends across the globe. It has so many sites for clinical rotations in multiple US states and in the UK that help you build connections with other doctors.

SGU: Where did you intend to become a doctor? How did the university contribute to your success?

Dr. Fung: I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor in the US since I was a teenager. SGU’s focus on academics and research is second to none. The training in the US prepares me to go anywhere in the world to practice medicine.

 

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