We are Women’s offers the WCH community a chance to get to know each other and share our stories. This month, we’re celebrating Asian Heritage Month by highlighting our Asian Canadian team members!
Name: Karen Ng
Pronouns: She/Her
Title: Pharmacist in TAPMI, Professional Practice Specialist
On the WCH team for: 7.5 years
1. What does your typical workday look like?
On a personal note, I start most days with a pre-work lane swim at my local pool, after which I set the foundation with a cup of coffee.
My days at Women’s are mostly flexible but structured around pharmacy medication consults for my patients with chronic pain. Depending on when my appointments are booked, I tackle emails and work up patients. Interspersed throughout, I attend meetings with various teams across WCH around clinical initiatives I am working on.
2. What excites you the most about working with WCH?
Firstly, the people. I’m also excited by a work culture that affords me the opportunity (and flexibility) to explore beyond the traditional responsibilities of my profession as a pharmacist, allowing me to lead work that is focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, quality and education.
3. Tell us something(s) you want us to know about your Asian Heritage.
I have East Asian roots as a Chinese second generation settler. I was born in Toronto, but spent my formative years growing up in Ajax/Pickering before moving to Ottawa to complete further residency pharmacy training.
4. What does Asian Heritage Month mean to you and to your work?
Though I identify myself as Canadian-Asian, I do find this term very broad as there are many folks that are from the continent of Asia. This month is important to allow space to celebrate and share all the ways specific Asian cultures are diverse, and also ways in which we are similar.
5. What is something interesting that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I really love to sing – particularly jazz! I was always involved in various jazz choirs in university.
Learn more about Asian Heritage Month on our Web Hub.