A day in the life of Joy Hong
December 16, 2024
Ask Dr. Joy Hong about her day, and she’ll chuckle: “Which day?”
No matter what, her mornings begin the same way. “Even before my feet hit the ground, I start with a quiet moment of reflection: Strength for today. Hope for tomorrow. The opportunity to touch lives. May none of my actions cause harm."
Her passion for pediatrics began in med school. “I was rotating in obstetric surgery. I was assisting in an emergency c-section, but all I kept thinking was, I need to know what happens to this baby … I haven’t looked back.”
Recently, her dedication was recognized with the Sages of Clinical Excellence Award. This award honors physicians who blend clinical expertise with empathy and insight.
“It was humbling,” she says. “And a bit overwhelming — like, now I really can't mess things up!” she jokes.
Today, Joy's work spans all ages. The long-term relationships she builds with families mean the most to her. “When former patients come back with their own kids. That's the ultimate compliment."
Her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2021, she suffered a serious accident while indoor climbing. Lying on the ground with multiple fractures, Joy’s first thoughts were unexpectedly calm: I’m still here. I have sensation and movement.
The long months of recovery changed her deeply. “I used to think I had to do everything myself. But being forced to slow down taught me humility — and that other ways of doing things can be just as good.”
The experience also gave her deeper respect for the teamwork that makes health care work. “Being a patient showed me how vital the whole system is. It’s never about just one person.”
As a leader, her defining qualities are optimism and persistence. “If I believe in something, I’ll persist. And even when things don’t go as planned, I’m always thinking, ‘How can this become an opportunity for growth?’ Problems are just solutions waiting to happen.”
Whether with patients, colleagues, or spending time outdoors, Joy’s focus remains steady: approaching every interaction with humility and a willingness to learn. "The real goal," she says, "is to help people see the potential they may not see in themselves."