Elizabeth (Lisa) Chen

Lisa is a General Biology major at Sixth College and has had an unwavering interest in the medical field since she began volunteering in hospitals and senior citizen homes as a high school student.  She finds getting to know patients, alleviating their stress, and facilitating their healthcare experience very rewarding.  Her connection to the medical field has been amplified by her experiences catering specific art lessons to kids with learning disabilities, helping mothers and their babies get quality care at the hospital, and teaching new orientees of Sixth College how to access essential resources on campus.  But it was not until Lisa worked as a medical scribe for Dr. Calvin Wong that she realized what being a doctor entails; namely, “compassion, intelligence, and most importantly the ability to make a patient feel heard.”

Lisa grew up with two sisters whom she loves and respects because of their self-determination and charisma.  Coming to UC San Diego, Lisa worked to surround herself with similar individuals.  As a result, she joined a sorority where she took part in a multitude of philanthropic events and fundraisers to support her sorority’s philanthropy that helps tutor young women.  Lisa also joined a nonprofit on campus that focused on COVID resources, despite all the uncertainty about the virus at the time.  She enjoyed leading the nonprofit’s outreach activities and working on independent projects in the lab.

“Growing up, I found comfort and creative expression through scribbling on paper with various crayons and screaming songs while playing the piano.  I understand now that creative expression plays a role in every important task I accomplish, especially science.”  Lisa is passionate about the intersection between design and science.

In the future it is her goal to become a pediatrician and work with children or any other healthcare specialty that involves lots of patient interaction.  “I want to provide accessible services to those in need and promote equity and inclusion in the healthcare system.”