Doctor. Mom. Democrat
I’m a proud first-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 Georgia in 2008 for career opportunities. I’ve been practicing anesthesiology for more than ten years and I’m an equity partner at Physician Specialists in Anesthesia at Emory-St. Joseph’s Hospital, 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 gets 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 in order to fulfill my doctor’s oath. Serving as your next State Senator, I will work hard to address the important issues that affect the health of our community every day.
I met my husband, Joseph Walrath, in medical school — he’s an oculoplastic surgeon. Together, we’re the proud parents of three energetic children, Cal (14), Mack (11) and Nina (7), who attend public school in the district. All three children are students of the William Pu Music Academy in Alpharetta. Cal is also a cellist with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Mack is really into computers now and Nina enjoys shadowing her parents with her first-aid kit. We live in Duluth with our two dogs, Spot and Bailey.
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 medical career and as mother, I will listen to and advocate tenaciously for the best interests of all those I represent. Together, we can ensure a healthier future for all Georgians.
