Member Highlight: Jia Jia Zhang

These small yet powerful moments translated seamlessly into her approach to patient care. “Medicine is about building relationships and anticipating needs,” she explains. “In a chaotic hospital setting, just like in a busy restaurant, you have to find ways to be helpful and contribute to a smooth workflow. And most importantly, you have to be warm and inviting, because people are often in vulnerable places.”

Cherished Memories of Growing Up on Guam

Jia Jia holds fond memories of growing up on the island beyond working at Chao’s. One of her favorite places to visit was Underwater World, where she and her sister would marvel at the marine life. “We had an annual pass, and I loved going through the tunnel and watching the fish swim around us,” she reminisces.

Another cherished memory was spending time at Urunao Beach, where she would collect seashells with the help of a close family friend, Michael. “He would subtly point to the best shells with his foot, but my sister always caught on faster than I did and snatched them up first,” she laughs.

Michael was a regular at the restaurant that grew very close to her family throughout his years of patronage. “He’s basically become like a grandfather figure to me growing up, despite being completely unrelated and he gave his time to our family so freely and generously,” she says. In light of her parents focusing on growing their business, Michael would often try to give her and her sister fond memories in their childhood. His impact signifies how the strong community-building at her family’s restaurant often went beyond the typical server-customer relationship.

A Calling in Medicine

Jia Jia’s path toward medicine was shaped not only by her upbringing but also by personal experiences in healthcare. “Because my family was uninsured, there were times when our doctor saw us for free,” she shares. “Seeing a physician prioritize care over cost was extremely moving to me.”

In high school, she joined a medical mission with local oral maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Richardson to Olongapo, where she assisted alongside other Guam and Hawaii physicians in performing surgeries, like cleft palate surgery. “It was amazing to see how a single surgery could change a child’s life, not just aesthetically but in terms of speech and eating,” she says. “That experience confirmed for me that I wanted to go into medicine, especially a field where I could make a direct impact through surgical intervention.”

Carving a Unique Path

At Harvard College, Jia Jia took a less conventional route by majoring in East Asian Studies instead of a traditional science major that most pre-meds study. “I wanted to take advantage of a liberal arts education,” she explains. “Understanding different cultures and philosophies has helped me so much in medicine. Western medicine isn’t the only right way, there’s a lot we can learn from indigenous and Eastern medical practices.”

Despite the academic rigor of Harvard, Jia Jia never lost sight of her roots. “What has helped me succeed is exactly where I come from. Humility, perseverance, and the ability to ask for help when needed.”

Falling in Love with Ophthalmology

Jia Jia’s introduction to ophthalmology was serendipitous. “During my surgery rotation, I picked ophthalmology because I didn’t know much about it,” she recalls. “But I quickly realized it had everything I loved: primary care, surgery, the ability to build long-term relationships with patients, and deliver impactful care.”

One of the moments that solidified her choice was witnessing a cataract surgery. “A priest had his sight restored, and with it, his ability to preach once more. Watching him stand before his congregation, sharing the words of the Bible with renewed clarity, was profoundly moving. He blessed the entire surgical team in gratitude—a powerful reminder of how restoring sight can restore purpose, connection, and faith.”

Jia Jia is also considering a fellowship, possibly in retina care. “Diabetes is a huge issue in Guam, and many people develop diabetic eye disease,” she says. “Having that specialized knowledge would be really valuable for the island.”

Owning Knowledge and Being a Good Teammate

She emphasizes the importance of being confident in what you know while also being humble enough to admit when you don’t. “It’s okay not to know everything,” she says. “One of the most important skills in medicine is being able to say, ‘I don’t know, but I will find out.’ It’s not about having all the answers right away, it’s about being committed to learning and growing.”

Her humility and teamwork are traits that allowed Jia Jia to gain recognition from her superiors. She recalls asking her associate program director what stood out about her during the selection process. “They told me that people genuinely enjoyed working with me,” she says. “They valued my curiosity, my engagement, and my ability to collaborate seamlessly. In the end, residency is about learning. No one expects you to know everything from the start. But what truly matters is anticipating people’s needs, being supportive, and a team player. Skills can be taught, but attitude and camaraderie define the experience.”

Words of Encouragement

As Jia Jia takes her next step into residency, she remains committed to giving back and mentoring aspiring medical students from Guam. “I want young people back home to see that this journey is possible,” she says. “All it takes is the courage to take that first step and believe in yourself. There were countless moments when I struggled with impostor syndrome, but I always reminded myself of how far I had come and that I belonged.”

Jia Jia’s journey is an inspiration to all aspiring healthcare professionals from Guam. Her story exemplifies a growing mission to empower future generations of homegrown healthcare leaders who want to give back to our island.