Meet Jane Kang, DO | Resident Physician & Jane of all trades””

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jane Kang, DO and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jane, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
During medical school, I often found myself prioritizing work over personal life, sacrificing leisure time, and occasionally neglecting self-care; I felt guilty about taking time for my personal pursuits. At the same time, I was cognizant that these tendencies were not sustainable in the long term and burnout was a real concern.

As I gained experience and seniority, I was able to strike a healthier balance that allowed me to consistently prioritize wellness, hobbies, and family while increasing job satisfaction. Maintaining this balance is an ongoing process that requires conscious reflection and as needed adjustments. By setting boundaries, creating a structured schedule, and involving my support system in my hobbies, I have been able to automate plans and maintenance days for my free time off so that I never waste them idly. In turn, having active plans to consistently look forward to provides the motivation to navigate each work week.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m currently a third year Family Medicine resident physician hoping to match into a Sports Medicine fellowship in January (it’s currently interview season). I’m most excited about taking advantage of the flexible schedule and extra elective time afforded to third years (I’m stoked that I was able to set up an elective month in South Korea next spring, for example). In terms of what sets me apart from others, I’m definitely known amongst my peers for my eclectic range of hobbies; I don’t think you’ll encounter many doctors who regularly keep up with a bag of tricks like mine. Moreover, I’m most proud of becoming the first physician on both sides of my entire family. It was not easy getting to this point in my career and I definitely would not have overcome the challenges without the unwavering support of my parents (aka my Wu-Kang Clan) and the friends with whom I regularly practice my hobbies with. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way: avoid the comparison game; self-care is not selfish and health is wealth; be wary of the paradox of choice; prioritize incremental changes rather than the end goal itself; set and uphold boundaries between work and personal life.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me, it’s that I am more than the conventional mold that people may assume I conform to based on my career. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to unapologetically pursue their interests and to show that having diverse hobbies can complement both professional and personal growth. It’s never too late to try something new or redefine yourself; it’d be a disservice to not even try due to fear of failure. Life is about finding harmony in all that we love and it’s possible to create a fulfilling career while nurturing our passions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here’s what I would plan:

– Monday: West LA/Venice/Santa Monica
– Explore Abbott Kinney Rd and have lunch at The Butcher’s Daughter before grabbing dessert at Wanderlust Creamery.
– Watch some of the street performers at Venice Beach Boardwalk.
– Ride our cruiser boards along the scenic path from Venice Pier to Santa Monica Pier.
– Get active at the slackline park.
– In the evening, take a stroll through The Original Farmer’s Market at the Grove. My favorite place to eat there is Pampas Grill Churrascaria.

Tuesday: West Hollywood
– Spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood.
– In the evening, eat at Pine & Crane before grabbing drinks at Good Times at Davey Wayne’s.

Wednesday: DTLA
– Fuel up at Grand Central Market. I also like recommending the taco sampler platter at Guisados right across the street.
– In the afternoon, check out the art exhibits at The Broad.
– Take a stroll or swan boat ride at Echo Park.
– Check out a bar or two in the area. My favorite to dance the night away at is Pacific Seas, the secret tiki bar on the top floor of Clifton’s Republic, but I think it’s temporarily closed at the moment.
– Attend The Gel Lab Wednesday night garage skate session at midnight.

Thursday: Malibu
– Start the day at The Getty Villa.
– Grab a lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co.
– Skate at Malibu Bluffs Skatepark.
-Take a breather and watch the surfers at Malibu Pier.
-Have dinner at Cholada Thai (I always like to recommend the money bag appetizer for starters).

Friday: East Hollywood/Koreatown
– Go on any of the hikes at the Griffith Observatory.
– Catch one of the shows at the planetarium and enjoy the views of the city.
– Treat ourselves to the Korean fried chicken at Gol Tang in Koreatown and bingsoo (Korean snow cones). If there’s time, throw axes down the street at Mo’s House of Axe.
– Bonus: Join Flux Mvmnt’s Friday night PEV ride, which would take us through cool spots in DTLA including the 6th Street Viaduct, LA Live, and 2nd Street tunnel.

Possible options for the weekend depending on the season:
– Catch a live music event.
– Attend a Dodgers, Lakers, or Chargers game.
– Play a Sunday pick-up game with the Venice Beach Football Club.

In my opinion, I think The Gel Lab, Flux Mvmnt, and Venice Beach have the most fun, interesting, and exciting people. In terms of what to check out, there truly is entertainment and community for everyone in LA. In general, I’d say to keep an eye out for any pop-up experiences/interactive exhibits, speakeasy bars, and live music events happening in LA to mix up the typical itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Skateboarding has been a major stress reliever for me during residency, so I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout to The Gel Lab. By having this crew to consistently ride with and push my progress, I’ve developed the skills and confidence to participate in slide jams, freeride events, and even my first surf-skate competition–unexpected experiences that have contributed to a thrilling work-life balance. Others who deserve recognition: Carlos Rodriguez, who was the first friend I made at my local skatepark and taught me all the basics, like dropping in and kick-turning; Darren Pita and Alfredo Arozco, who introduced me to downhill skateboarding, gifted me my first downhill skateboard decks, and taught me my first Coleman slide; and David Lee, who gifted me my first set of downhill skateboard wheels that inadvertently led me to meeting Darren.

Instagram: instagram.com/featsbydrj

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@featsbydrj & https://www.youtube.com/@jamwithjinja

Image Credits
John Huey Jane Kang