Doctor. Mom. Democrat
I’m a proud second-generation Chinese-American. My parents immigrated to the United States with their parents in the 1960s after a generation of hardship following the Second World War. With the help of family, friends, scholarships, and no shortage of good luck, each of my parents graduated from college and medical school.
My parents achieved their American Dream with hard work, perseverance, and belief in the American promise that equal opportunity is available to all. It’s a work ethic and belief that my grandparents and parents have instilled deeply in me.
I grew up in New York City, the product of a strong public-school education. I graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. I was elected to serve in student body government and deeply imbued with the school’s motto: “Not to be served, but to serve.”
After college, I returned to New York City for medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. I stayed on at Columbia to do residency training in both pediatrics and anesthesiology.
Like many transplants, my family and I moved to Atlanta in 2008 for career opportunities. And like many families with young children, we chose Johns Creek to put down roots because of the diverse community, excellent public schools, and safe, friendly neighborhoods.
I’m a proud parent of three energetic children, Cal (18), Mack (14) and Nina (11), all products of the Fulton County public school system. We live in the St Ives neighborhood with our two dogs, Spot and Bailey.
I’ve been practicing anesthesiology for more than ten years in Atlanta and I’m an equity partner at Physician Specialists in Anesthesia, a private practice group. As a partner, I also oversee operational aspects of our small business.
I became a doctor to help people and fix difficult problems. But I’ve discovered that health isn’t simply about one’s blood pressure or weight. Our health is determined by many factors, such as access to healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and safety. By the time our patients get to us, if they can get to us at all, our efforts are often just putting a dressing on a larger wound we don’t have the power to heal at the bedside.
So in 2017, I enrolled at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, where I earned a Master’s in Public Health. Diving deep into healthcare policy, economics, and law led me to realize I need to expand my role of public service to fulfill my doctor’s oath.
In 2020, I was elected to serve as State Senator for District 48, which encompassed a wide, diverse swath of Fulton and Gwinnett counties, including the city of Johns Creek. I was the only Senate member with an advanced degree in public health, and the first Asian woman to serve in the Georgia Senate. I was humbled to be named State Legislator of the Year in 2022 by Everytown/Moms Demand Action as well as by The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for my work in the State Senate.
The Georgia General Assembly completed its once-in-a-decade process of redistricting in 2021, and Senate District 48 was the sole Senate district targeted purposefully by the Republican majority party.
But I came to the Gold Dome to add value for hard-working Georgians and to be put to work to make our state healthier. I will never apologize for being good at my job. For me, it’s not about the title or which desk you’re at. It’s about doing the work. So, in 2022, when our incumbent Representative announced her retirement, I ran and was elected to become your Representative in the State House.
I serve on the following House committees: Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Public Health, and Special Rules. I co-chair of the bi-partisan General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery. Also, I helped form and I am the current chair of the bi-partisan General Assembly AAPI Caucus, the largest state AAPI caucus in the continental US. I was honored to be named a 2023 Nominee for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award from EMILY’s List for my legislative efforts to protect reproductive healthcare.
Taking care of people is my life’s work. The well-being and health of our community will always be my focus. There are no issues too small or too large for me to care deeply about. As I have proven throughout my Senate record, my medical career and as mother, I will listen to and advocate tenaciously for the best interests of all those I represent.
I ask for your vote and support of my re-election as your State Representative so we can continue to work together to make Georgia a healthier, safer, and more inclusive state, where everyone’s voices can be heard.
