A Slight Change of Plans A Dream, Revisited
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Sep 22, 2025 Felicia Hsu, a former ICU resident with a background in MIT and Harvard Medical School, shares her transformational journey. She reflects on her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and the grueling realities of residency during COVID-19, including the physical toll it took on her health. Felicia opens up about a pivotal ICU experience that led her to reassess her career, face backlash for her decision to leave, and ultimately find joy in creativity and family life. Her story highlights the complexities of pursuing passion amid personal challenges.
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Childhood Calling To Medicine
- Felicia Hsu grew up believing medicine was a calling after watching acupuncture help people.
- She decided to become a doctor to connect with and help people in moments of need.
Residency Started In A Crisis
- Residency began amid COVID and personal upheaval when Felicia's dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
- She started residency feeling on top of the world, then faced the shock of her father's illness as training began.
Systemic Stress Multiplied By Uncertainty
- Extreme workload and uncertainty during early COVID created chronic stress and resource scarcity.
- Reusing masks and lack of protective gear amplified fear for personal and family safety.