Tiffie starts Intern Year at Michigan Anesthesia

Tiffie Keung, who grew up in the village of Dededo, has embarked on a remarkable journey that has taken her from the warm shores of Guam to the prestigious halls of the University of Michigan, where she has started her first year as an Anesthesia resident. Her story is a joyful testament to the resilience and determination that define our island community.

Tiffie, a proud alumna of Harvest Christian Academy and the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, speaks with fondness about her upbringing on Guam. “I loved going to the beach, going on hikes, and hanging out with friends in Tumon,” she recalls. For Tiffie, Guam was more than just a place to grow up—it was a source of happiness and cherished memories, a foundation that would support her through the challenges to come.

After high school, Tiffie ventured far from home to attend UCLA, where she encountered the challenges of adjusting to life in a large city and the highly competitive pre-med environment. “Guam didn’t have any pre-med mentoring programs back when I was applying to colleges, and I felt utterly lost,” she admits. The transition was tough, particularly in her science and math courses. “I felt like high school really poorly prepared me for the science and math courses, and my first quarter of college was a huge eye-opener,” Tiffie explains. Without the support of pre-med advisors, she struggled to navigate the demanding coursework and understand the requirements needed to apply to medical school. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, driven by her passion for medicine.

Her journey included seven gap years filled with diverse experiences in healthcare, from working as a caregiver to an emergency department scribe. These roles, she believes, were pivotal in shaping her path. “Honestly, I think my life story, nontraditional status, and prior work experience were what stood out during medical school and residency interviews,” Tiffie shares, reflecting on the value of her unique journey. During these years, she also held down full-time and part-time jobs simultaneously, took classes at night, and volunteered weekly. It was a period of immense growth and self-discovery, helping her gain the experience and clarity she needed to pursue her medical dreams.

The decision to specialize in Anesthesia was inspired by the kindness and professionalism she observed in anesthesiologists during her early career. “The anesthesiologists treated me and everyone else with respect regardless of what kind of day they were having, and that really makes you think, ‘What is it about their job that they’re in such a good mood?’” she says, capturing the joy she found in the field. This positive experience, along with the mentorship of an anesthesiologist she met during her gap years, solidified her decision to pursue this specialty.

As Tiffie embarks on this new chapter in Michigan, she remains connected to her roots in Guam, offering words of encouragement to aspiring pre-med students back home. “Wherever you are in your journey to medicine, challenges will come. Remember your ‘why medicine’ reason and the community who raised you and roots for you, and that will help you through the inevitable challenges,” she advises. Tiffie also emphasizes the importance of pursuing activities you are truly passionate about and networking within the medical field, noting how these strategies have been instrumental in her own journey.

Tiffie Keung’s journey is a celebration of the strength and spirit of our island community. Her success is not just her own—it’s a source of pride and inspiration for all of Guam, showing that no dream is too big when you have the heart to pursue it. Tiffie’s story is a reminder to all who aspire to follow in her footsteps that perseverance, hard work, and staying true to one’s roots can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

Written by Kai Akimoto | August 26th, 2024