We recently connected with Wayne Gui and have shared our conversation below.
Wayne, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk I’ve taken so far has been to the decision to the leave the comforts of living in Canada to come to the United States for college. I had been raised in Canada and was used to the particular way of life. My family and friends were all there and my plan was to remain in the country indefinitely. Then, one day sophomore year of high school, I had the spontaneous idea of applying to colleges in the United States. American influence in Canada permeates many aspects of life there and although I loved living in Canada, the land of even greater opportunities existed “south of the border”. After learning about and studying for the SAT and gathering the assortment of application materials, I was fortunate enough to be accepted to Cornell University.
I had to say goodbye to my friends and the life I had known and say hello to a new start. I did not know what to expect when I moved and was admittedly anxious about the unknowns. I quickly realized that no one knew what a “washroom” was and that I had to learn the Fahrenheit system to know what the temperature was outside. But I also discovered that the core values of the people in both countries were universal. To this day I have a fondness for Canada that cannot be taken away, but I have grown to appreciate and love everything that America has to offer.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My path to becoming a vitreoretinal surgeon and specialist started with my love for science. I grew up reading non-fiction science books and enjoyed learning about the natural world. As I became older, I also realized that I enjoyed listening to people’s stories and learning about the human condition. Naturally, the practice of medicine melding the disciplines of science and the humanities became an attractive field for my professional goals.
I am currently practicing retina at a private practice with office locations in Huntington Beach and Laguna Hills, California. I think what sets my practice apart is the time with which I spend with my patients, the state-of-the-art treatments and surgical techniques that I employ and my connections to leading authorities in the field at UCLA. I enjoy identifying the specific needs and experiences of my patients to offer them individualized care.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I think what is extremely important for success in my field is the human side of medicine. As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become more prevalent in all fields of medicine, the human touch is still an extremely important aspect of quality care. The machine may be successful at diagnosing and suggesting potential therapies, but the one-on-one interaction with a compassionate human being cannot at this point be replaced.
Additionally, understanding that the practice of medicine is at its core a service to patients and that the ultimate goal is for the patient to receive the best care possible are critical principles to remember.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
If I could go back, I would indeed choose the same profession and specialty. Ophthalmology is a vibrant and rewarding field. To prevent or reverse blindness is a pursuit that almost has no comparison. Retina in particular is a challenging but extraordinarily fascinating sub-specialty of ophthalmology. The sheer complexity and simultaneous elegance draw me in on a daily basis.
The modern practice of ophthalmology generally allows for a balanced life within and outside of medicine. It offers one of the best work-life balances among the surgical specialties and provides opportunities to make life-long relationships with patients. I am honored to be a part of this noble profession and to have the chance to improve the quality of life for my patients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vmrinstitute.com
- Instagram: @wayneguimd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VMRInstitute/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-gui-82314364/
- Twitter: @VMRInstituteOC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VMRInstitute?app=desktop
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vmr-institute-huntington-beach-2 and https://www.yelp.com/biz/vmr-institute-laguna-hills