Fwd: Hello!

[Danny Kim]

I might as well share because I know I'm so bad at keeping in touch when I get busy...Thanks for all of your support as well! :)

Begin forwarded message:

From: Danny Kim <dannyd...@gmail.com>

Subject: Hello!

Date: March 30, 2016 at 4:06:45 PM PDT

To: Janette Lie <Janet...@va.gov>, Kristie Tu <kris...@gmail.com>, oanh...@gmail.com

Hi!

How is everyone? Hope all is well. I overheard that we matched all 12 residency positions again? Congrats, and go VAGLAHS! :)

I just wanted to update everyone what’s been going on since we last spoke:

A few months ago, I decided to pursue a different pathway...The hiring process in academia was slow, political and ambiguous. Just the way things transpired, I missed the right timeline. I really liked academia. But I have other personal priorities, and I don’t exactly have the financial luxury to wait indefinitely…! I’ve been per-dieming at USC Verdugo Hills to buy more time about what to do next.

I went through the whole soul-searching process again. I reached out to a recruiter, and I unexpectedly got connected with Sutter Health in NorCal. For the past 3 months, I’ve been in this long interview/negotiation process...I actually got a verbal agreement a month ago but I know now that doesn’t really mean anything! Last Friday I finally got the details and offer from HR in writing, and agreed to it. I’m going to be a clinical pharmacy manager at Sutter Health in Santa Rosa (crazy huh?). I’ll be moving in about 2 weeks! It’s where I was before residency! It’s reeeally funny how things worked out, and I’m happy about going back there. :)

I think you all know that I was trying to stay around here. Primarily because Nancy is here now. She is doing so well, and she just clicks with Annie! She likes it so much, that she’s onto her 3rd or 4th project…She’s become a mini-Annie. She is going to stay at least 1 more year with USC to do a fellowship under Annie and Paul. It’s essentially a PGY-3!! At first, I thought it was crazy (because it is). But I realized she genuinely enjoyed it, the same way I enjoyed my fellowship. She’s been so excited, and growing so much from the experience. It just resonates with who she is and I’ve been really happy for her. She really likes the scholarship and translational research of ID. She wants to go into academia or industry now. 

Some people think we’re both a little strange, and care too much, or only, about our career. The irony is that both of us are pretty simple…and we actually care far more about our own families, and starting a family. But somehow just recognizing that, and being honest and patient about where we are, lets us be comfortable about exploring our professional interests…It sounds paradoxical right? But it’s just how it works for us.

We had a long and honest talk, and we saw ourselves settling back in the North Bay area. Short-term, we have to do long-distance again. But beyond that, it aligns with what we want. It’s just a simpler and family-oriented community up there. Her family is up there too, and she’s really missed them since being down here. From a professional standpoint, NorCal economy seems to be growing with all kinds of different opportunities right now. The area I’m going into has a big need to develop both the clinical and education side of pharmacy. It’s especially interested in using pharmacy for transitions of care. It’s actually the opposite of what I usually hear: the hospital leadership wants pharmacy to expand and integrate. But nobody up there in pharmacy wanted to do it. So that’s just where I fit into it.

It was an offer that seemed silly to turn down. It fits well with my career interests, and I really liked the leadership and hospital culture. I might try academia again in about 3-5 years but we’ll see. More importantly, Nancy was supportive about it. She and I just saw ourselves settling in that area again, and we’ve actually missed it since being in LA. It just suits us. We’ll have to see where Nancy can end up when she’s done because her interest is more specific. But we’re hopeful we can figure it out one way or the other. We figured there’s nothing linear or normal about how we operate anyways.

But I am a little sad that I will be leaving LA. You are all here and everyone else I’ve gotten to know in the past couple of years! My family is here too. I’ve been “training” my little brother the past year to help my parents out with some things (he didn’t like it at first...but he’s come around and started to understand). My parents were originally confused about my pathway since I came back to residency. They didn’t understand why I would consciously choose to move away from job security and making more money. I think they've accepted how weird I am, and they’ve been supportive in their own way. :) It’s been great, so I’m comfortable about being away again.

Anyways, I rambled a lot longer than I intended. You all understood my personal side of the story. I also learned a lot of that from you three as well. :) It’s been a roller-coaster but it’s never been anything I regretted. It’s seriously always been the opposite! 

The only thing I regret is that because of what happened with me, word got out and I think some students/residents have become discouraged to pursue academia. It’s definitely not as crazy as it seems. The timing and my priorities didn’t match up. I still really like the school, and everyone at USC. I’m on good terms with them. Also, what I learned about teaching/leadership/scholarship isn’t just limited to a school either. In fact, it’s more practical outside of the classroom setting. But I can’t really do much about controlling other people’s perspective. I just wish those who have a genuine interest in academia wouldn’t be too discouraged by the politics. I feel there’s politics everywhere you go in healthcare and education. But the politics about school is ultimately about how better they should allocate time and resources to help students.

For me right now, I’m just glad I’m starting to get a concrete picture of my next steps and apply what I’ve learned.

I’ll try to stop by to say bye in person. I’m just getting my affairs in order before I move.

Thanks again for everything, and for being supportive! :)

Danny

PS. Did you all know Susan Ahn Cuddy?? I know Kristie did! I met her when I was doing my geriatrics rotation. Kristie told me about her book (Willow Tree Shade) back then, but I didn’t read it until last week. She’s sooo amazing and inspirational! I’ve become so fascinated with my Korean heritage now, and even started to do a genealogy tree with my parents. I don’t think I fully appreciated my identity until now. It’s a really big deal because I was always more assimilated into American culture (FYI I don't tolerate spicy food well, my Korean sucks, and I never got into K-Drama…so none of that helped). I was sad to hear she passed away last year. But still it was such an honor, and she lives on with her story. I’m really glad I got that opportunity…just thought it was really awesome! :)

[Claire Hwang]

I expect a group winery trip to NorCal with Danny as tour guide.

Sent from my iPhone

[Wen-Hsin Jiang]

I second :)

-Wen-hsin

[Jiah Lee]

Congratulations Danny! What a great opportunity! And to Justin, I heard you're moving up to NorCal as well! You guys will both be a positive impact in your new workplaces, they're so lucky to have you guys. 

[Esther Kang Suh]

Very proud of the boys in our group!!! (Including you, malte ;) ) Excited to hear about how you guys are affecting people's lives!

--

Esther Kang Suh

[Justin Shih]

Thanks so much you guys!! And I hope you have the chance to meet my brother at the VA Jiah!! :)

[Jiah Lee]

Lol Justin! I see orders from renshy shih and I thought of you every time and today I found out he is indeed your brother :))

[Justin Shih]

Yeahh that's him! Tell me if he causes any trouble for you guys :)