Esther Kang

Esther (They/them/theirs) was born in Seoul, Korea, and raised in Chicago, IL and Torrance, CA. Esther studied Neural Science at New York University and received their MD from UC Davis School of Medicine. 

Medicine is Esther’s second career. Prior to medical school, Esther spent seven years as a middle school science and health teacher in Oakland Unified School District. During that time, Esther helped to co-author the middle school edition of Healthy Oakland Teens, a district-wide LGBTQ+-inclusive and trauma-informed sexual health curriculum. In their free time, they worked as an HIV test counselor at the Berkeley Free Clinic and organized with various queer Asian/Pacific Islander collectives as well as domestic violence advocacy programs. These passions ultimately led them to medicine, a path that held the possibility of blending their loves for teaching, direct care, and advocacy.  Esther’s work in medicine is in honor of their family, students, and community members. 

Esther chose Med-Peds so that they can be equipped to take care of all patients with medically and socially complex concerns. Esther felt that UCLA was the right place for this training because of their incredible, all-star people; the diversity of their clinical sites; and the strength of the categorical programs. Esther’s career interests include: pediatric-to-adult transition care, gender-affirming primary care, palliative care, academic medicine, and JEDI in medicine.

Esther is excited to return to Southern California, near their family, and is enjoying creating new memories of LA. Esther loves going on nature adventures with their superstar partner and their two chiweenie pups. Esther also loves game nights, intimate friend gatherings, and hunting for the best Asian shaved ice in LA. When they’re too exhausted for the above, they like binging reality cooking shows and wholesome Korean dramas. 

Education:

Medical School - University of California, Davis
Undergrad - New York University