Pursuit and achievement of a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree makes perfect sense to Dr. Andrew Chung, who finds surgical intervention similar to science in that both often attempt to solve a problem underlying a disease. Both fields also involve planning, critical thinking, teamwork, anticipation, and adapting to unforeseen circumstances – challenges that Dr. Chung is prepared to take on as a new surgeon.

Andrew Chung, M.D., Ph.D.

What this award means: I have the highest respect for the Surgery faculty here. The leadership, mentorship, excellent clinical care, and genuine love for teaching that our faculty display are why I decided to become a surgeon. To be chosen by them for this award is an exceptional honor.

Mentor comment: Andrew is one of the most exceptional medical students I have worked with during my tenure at UT Southwestern. His academic excellence is the result of a unique combination of talents: having an inquisitive scientific mind, good surgical skills, and, most importantly, being a very caring individual. I anticipate that Andrew will have a very successful academic career as a surgeon-scientist and will make us all proud. – Patricio Polanco, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery

Background and family: I grew up in Yorba Linda, California. My dad has been a Professor of Finance at the University of California, Riverside, for the past 33 years. My brother just completed his residency in otolaryngology in Detroit, Michigan, and he will be moving to San Antonio this July to pursue further training in plastic surgery.

What led to your career path: I earned my Ph.D. in the lab of Associate Professor Hao Zhu, M.D., studying preventive immunotherapy and metabolic zonation in liver cancer. When I returned to medical school, I found many similarities between surgery and science. I also love the novelty of learning and honing new skills every time I’m in the operating room. These characteristics pushed me toward a career in surgery.

College: I attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where I majored in neuroscience. I was president of my college fraternity, and I also worked in the lab of Marie-Francoise Chesselet, M.D., Ph.D., studying Parkinson’s disease. After college, I worked in the lab of Theo Palmer, Ph.D., at Stanford University studying adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

UTSW activities: I served on the Student Executive Committee of the Perot Family Scholars Medical Scientist Training Program and the Retreat Planning Committee for the Genetics, Development, and Disease Ph.D. Program. I helped mentor medical students looking for research opportunities through the AOA Research Committee. I also volunteered with the Science Policy, Education, and Communication Club.

Surprising fact: I’d never been to Texas before interviewing here for medical school, but I’m now an unabashed evangelist for Texas staples such as Buc-ee’s and H-E-B. However, I am not, nor will I ever be a Cowboys fan!

Ultimate career goal: My goal is to learn to provide the best clinical care for my patients, supported by the newest biomedical science and technologies available. I want to continue to hone my investigative skills as well, likely studying cancer in a translational research setting. I hope to strive for excellence, never being satisfied that I’ve “arrived,” but rather always seeking out new knowledge, skill, and mentorship to be better.

Future plans: After completing a residency in general surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, my goal is to pursue a fellowship in surgical oncology. This training, combined with my research background in cancer biology and genetics, will enable me to bridge the clinical and scientific domains as a surgeon-scientist. I hope to use discoveries in the lab to advance the surgical care of patients with cancer.

About the award: The award, established in 1979, is named for Dr. Lee Hudson, Chief of Surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital when UT Southwestern was founded, and for Robert Penn, Dr. Hudson’s brother-in-law.