Physicians are a unique group of individuals. Our profession trains us to perform at a very high standard, even when placed in less than ideal conditions. We pay little regard to the long waking hours, often fueled just by coffee. We have the ability to focus on the crisis at hand, whether it is resuscitating a child in shock or performing a lifesaving procedure, regardless of our personal situation outside the hospital.

I knew that I wanted to be a doctor at a young age. Growing up in a small fishing village in Sarawak, higher education was not a guarantee. But I had ambition, discipline, and willpower. These attributes were the pillars of my journey as I chased my dream across the world. High school in Australia, medical school in Canada, followed by pediatric residency training, and finally critical care fellowship in the United States. Even as I became an ultrarunner, these assets served me well in my training and carried me to the finish line of my 100-mile race. I was unafraid of challenges, and my mind and body never failed me.

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