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Featured Spouse Friday:

Dr. Vicki Chan

 

Ophthalmologist. Influencer. Entrepreneur.

At first glance, Vicki Chan may seem like your typical Chanel-wielding, Starbucks-sipping LA influencer. Her social media presence is equal parts glamour and fun, filters and fashion. But look again. Because this California girl is rocking more than Hermes and peace signs: she’s a mother of two, successful business owner, and, oh – let’s not forget – a Johns Hopkins educated ophthalmologist. 

It’s the kind of intimidating personal resume that begs the question: how is she pulling it all off? The answer is more complicated than #balance, although that’s something Chan is still working on. For a long time, in fact, the LA-based influencer who seemingly had it all, felt trapped in the perfect life she’d curated for herself. 

From the outside, the Dr. Chan of four years ago had it all: a mind-blowingly impressive medical pedigree (USC, Johns Hopkins, and UCLA), a successful husband, and a precious one-year-old daughter (decked out, of course, in Fendi and Valentino). Considering all measurable metrics, she’d finally arrived. But, to her great disappointment, the life she’d spent thirty years relentlessly pursuing was slowly draining her. Dr. Kim recalls feeling like an impatient physician and an exhausted mother, unable to enjoy either role. Her husband, an anesthesiologist, felt much the same. 

It was time for a change. So the two exhausted physicians began to seek other opportunities, which emerged in the form of a skin-care company, a real-estate business, and, of course, a fashion blog. After four long years of diligence and portfolio-building, Dr. Kim is now able to practice medicine because she loves it, rather than out of obligation. After putting so many years into building her medical career, shifting into other pursuits was a risky endeavor, but one that packs some punch behind the hashtag that dominates her social media: #LiveVICTORIOUS. 

The hashtag, which Dr. Kim often pairs with a peace sign and a rotating piece of designer wrist-wear, is not just a cute adage for her followers: it’s a motto for herself. It’s a reminder that life is meant to be lived, in the words of Vicki Chan Kim, “fully, joyously, [and] victoriously.” Life, even the one she now lives, can easily become overwhelming, and the temptation to fall back into her old, perfectionist ways still poses a challenge. So, how does she #LiveVICTORIOUS?  

It’s a little of everything. Yes, she’s still the same driven woman rocking Gucci sweaters under her white coat, but now she devotes more time and energy to doing the things that bring her a different type of fulfillment. Whether that’s funding orphanages in India (yes, she does), helping other women build their businesses, or making carefree TikTok videos with her family, she’s made it a point to seek joy and fun amidst her ever-expanding list of accomplishments. 

According to Kim, who has developed several successful businesses, it’s key not to lose yourself in the process of helping your husband or wife develop his/her career. Supporting a medical spouse is a full-time job in itself, even for a fellow physician, so take advice from Dr. Kim: develop hobbies, interests, and passion projects of your own. Don’t forget that you matter, too. And, of course, find your own way to #LiveVICTORIOUS. 

Follow Dr. Vicki Chan Kim for medicine, fashion, and fun: 

Instagram: @vickichanmd
TikTok: @vickichanmd

UPDATE: Since the writing of this article, Dr. Chan’s TikTok video, which uses song and dance to tell the story of her medical love story, has gone viral. Check it out, here!

Follow Vicki on Instagram

Follow Vicki on TikTok