Mom helps Chiang excel in York

When his grandfather needed eye surgery, St. Robert Catholic High School student Albert Chiang was there to accompany him.

During the hospital visit, Chiang spoke to his grandfather’s doctor and was fascinated by the process and the profession. So this summer, Chiang is volunteering at North York General Hospital. He will be studying at McMaster University in the health sciences program in the fall.

Chiang, who’s 99.33 average at the Thornhill, Ont., school was just shy of Charis Lam’s 99.83 average for tops with the York Catholic District School Board, said this experience sparked his motivation to pursue a career as an eye surgeon. (Lam declined interview requests from The Catholic Register).

Chiang said he’s learned plenty from the people he’s visited at the hospital, including a Second World War veteran who spoke of his experience during the war.

“At first, it was just about trying to give back to the community. After a while, I found it fun. It was really rewarding to be able to talk with them,” Chiang said.

York's top scholars Charis Lam, Brother Andre (Markham) 99.83% Albert Chiang, St. Robert (Thornhill) 99.33% Danielle Vindua, Brother Andre (Markham) 99% Fabian Chow, St. Robert (Thornhill) 98.5% Tiffany Chow, St. Robert (Thornhill) 98.5% Benedict Darren, St. Robert (Thornhill) 98.5% Seowoo Kim, St. Robert (Thornhill) 98.33% Jonathan Yiu, Brother Andre (Markham) 98%

Chiang said it’s also rewarding to see patients smile.

At school, Chiang’s favourite subject was biology. He said his teacher “spent a lot of time to make the lesson interesting.”

Chiang was an all-around student, having been a member of the track and field and cross country teams for two years. He also co-founded a Games Club and was part of the health awareness club. At St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Thornhill, he volunteers with the parish’s street patrol program.

Chiang said his study routine involves prioritizing, good time management and organization, including breaking down big tasks into smaller ones “so it’s not as overwhelming as it seems.”

On his mentor, Chiang said he looks up to his mother, Gina, who works as a pharmacist.  

“She makes sure the work that she does is quality (work),” he said. “She motivates me to devote myself to work.”