Yi-Chuan Ching, MD

Class Year: 1958

Specialties
Pediatrics

Current practice
Retired for 21 years

Do you remember what motivated you to make your first gift to BUSM?
My grandfather who was a businessman in Honolulu had a saying: “When you drink water, remember the spring.” He was successful and he always remembered to give back to the community.

Why do you continue to give to BUSM?
I’m grateful that it provided the basis of a very satisfying professional life.

What would you tell current students about the importance of giving back to BUSM?
“Remember the spring”

Fond memory of BUSM:
Dr. Moyer was a real steadying influence on a very confused freshman who was adapting poorly and questioning his future at the school.

Dr. Asimov was as good at explaining biochem as he was at writing science fiction and I read almost all of his output.

Favorite professor or course at BUSM:
Dr. Sidney Gellis really solidified my intention to go into pediatrics, and I returned to BCH [Boston City Hospital] to train under him.

Though I was all thumbs, Dr. JJ Burns made surgery really interesting.

Other anecdotes/comments:
Currently I am in reasonable health though I lost my wife to breast cancer recurring after 34 years. I ocean swim 3 times a week, walk, and practice tai chi. I volunteer at a seniors program at U.Hawaii facilitating a writing group and also at a marine nature preserve. I put out a fiction blog with a completed med novel (at a fictionalized BCH) at storieslongnshort.blog and am continuing with another.