喵咪社区

Dr. Tam is a blood and marrow transplant and hematology oncology specialist with the 喵咪社区 Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of 喵咪社区.聽He treats patients at Keck Hospital of 喵咪社区 and 喵咪社区 Norris Cancer Hospital.

He originally aspired to be an engineer.

鈥淲hen I was younger, I wanted to be an engineer. I was fascinated by how things worked and loved problem solving. But as I got older, I realized I wanted to apply that same curiosity and problem solving to helping people directly, which led me to medicine. Being a physician combined my interest in science with my passion for making a real difference in the lives of others. I鈥檝e never looked back.鈥�

It鈥檚 all about family time outside of work.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 not working, I鈥檓 usually spending time with my family. I love being with my kids and getting involved in their activities, whether it鈥檚 coaching their soccer teams or just spending time outdoors.

“I also enjoy staying active and finding moments to read or dive into discussions about history, art or philosophy 鈥� topics that have always intrigued me.鈥�

He鈥檚 been to Japan.

鈥淥ne of my favorite travel destinations is Japan. The mix of rich history, culture and natural beauty, along with the amazing food and vibrant cities, made it an unforgettable and fascinating experience.鈥�

More travel and cooking lessons are on his to-list.

鈥淭hree items on my bucket list include starting my own business, traveling through Europe to explore its rich history and attending culinary school.鈥�

He has an entrepreneurial spirit. 

鈥淚f I could trade careers with anyone, it would be with the CEO of a successful, innovative company. I鈥檝e always been fascinated by leadership, strategy and the ability to drive change on a larger scale. Running a company allows you to shape its vision, build a strong team and make decisions that can have a significant impact on the world. 

“The challenge of steering a business, especially in a field that merges technology and health care, would be an incredible opportunity to blend my passion for science and innovation with entrepreneurship.鈥�

He looks up to his father.

鈥淢y biggest role model growing up was my father. He showed me the value of hard work, perseverance and compassion. Watching how he balanced his responsibilities while always being present for our family left a lasting impression on me. He taught me that success isn鈥檛 just about what you achieve professionally but also about how you treat others and maintain integrity in everything you do.鈥�

Personal growth is never-ending.

鈥淭he best piece of advice I鈥檝e ever received is to stay humble and always keep learning. No matter how much you know or achieve, there鈥檚 always room to grow. It鈥檚 a reminder to stay curious, open-minded and to never lose sight of the importance of listening to others, whether they are colleagues, patients or loved ones.鈥�

He survived cancer.

鈥淧eople might be surprised to learn that I had lymphoma earlier in life. Going through that experience not only gave me a deep personal connection to the field of hematology but also shaped how I approach my patients. It gave me a firsthand understanding of what it鈥檚 like to be on the other side of care. That perspective drives me to be even more compassionate and attentive in my practice. Going through something like that made me appreciate the role of a good doctor, and I knew I wanted to give others the same level of care and support I received.鈥�

A neurosurgeon鈥檚 memoir is his favorite book.

鈥淢y favorite book is 鈥榃hen Breath Becomes Air鈥� by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who passed away from lung cancer. His reflections on life, death and finding meaning as both a doctor and patient deeply resonated with me given my own experiences with illness.鈥�

Helping patients is deeply rewarding.

鈥淲hat I find most rewarding about my job is the chance to make a real difference for my patients, often during the toughest times in their lives. Whether it鈥檚 through offering new treatments in bone marrow transplants, supporting them through difficult moments or just being there for their families, it鈥檚 incredibly fulfilling to know that what I do can have a lasting impact. 

“I鈥檒l never forget a time when the son of a patient who had passed away reached out to thank me several years after his father鈥檚 treatment. It was a powerful reminder that the work we do goes far beyond just the medical aspect. It touches lives in ways that stay with people long after.鈥� 

The trust of his patients inspires him daily.

鈥淲hat inspires me to be the best physician I can be is knowing the immense trust patients and their families place in me. When someone is facing a life-threatening illness like cancer or preparing for something as serious as a bone marrow transplant, they鈥檙e not just counting on me for my medical expertise; they鈥檙e putting their hopes, fears and life in my hands. That responsibility is humbling, and it drives me to give my absolute best. 

“I鈥檓 also inspired by my patients鈥� resilience. I see people fighting every day through some of the hardest battles of their lives with courage and grace, and it鈥檚 impossible not to be motivated by that. Their strength keeps me grounded and reminds me why I chose this field in the first place. 

“And finally, I think about my own family. I want to be the kind of doctor I鈥檇 want caring for the people I love 鈥� someone who鈥檚 not just skilled but also compassionate, present and willing to go the extra mile. That鈥檚 what keeps me pushing forward, even on the toughest days.鈥�

He offers his patients a sense of calm.

鈥淣o matter how tough the situation, I try to approach each patient with a steady presence. My bedside manner is compassionate, calm and grounded in equanimity. That鈥檚 something I鈥檝e always admired in the philosophy of Sir William Osler, the early 1900s physician known for helping to develop a science-based approach to medicine.鈥� 

He wants medical students to stay curious.

鈥淏e ready for a challenging but rewarding journey. Stay curious, compassionate and take care of yourself.鈥�

He believes immunotherapy was a game changer. 

鈥淭he most impactful advancement in my field so far has been CAR T-cell therapy. It revolutionized blood cancer treatment because it offered personalized care and new hope for patients.鈥�

He envisions a future where all blood cancers are cured.

鈥淭he medical breakthrough I hope to see in my lifetime is a cure for hematologic cancers through advanced gene editing or immune-based therapies.鈥�

He chose academic medicine for the balance it provides.

鈥淚 chose to work in academic medicine because of the opportunity to balance patient care, teaching and research. Here at 喵咪社区, I love the collaborative environment, cutting-edge research and the chance to mentor future doctors. The team鈥檚 passion for patient care and innovation makes it an inspiring place to work.鈥�

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