Dr. Chrizette Ang

Can you tell us more about your medical background and education?

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York, obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing and psychology. Next I completed medical school at University of Alberta, and did my residency in family medicine at McGill University in Montreal. Now I’m a family doctor in Toronto and have accumulated more than 20 years of experience working at a busy walk-in clinic.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

I was inspired to become a healthcare provider at a young age. First, I became a nurse and gained experience in renal transplants, general surgery, and dialysis. Ultimately I became a doctor to help others improve their health and lives.

What do you love the most about practising medicine?

I love seeing improvement in my patient’s health, whether it’s physical or psychological improvement. It’s very rewarding to support positive changes in other peoples’ lives. I enjoy following up with patients, learning more about them, and learning from them.

What’s your favourite part about practising on Maple?

Maple provides an excellent service to people who have trouble accessing their family doctor in rural areas. The app provides a great service, especially in these pandemic times. I really love that patients are able to either text, telephone, or video chat — whichever is the most comfortable for them. The ability for patients to provide pictures for issues such as skin lesions, throat infections, and wounds is very useful.

What’s the most challenging aspect of working in the medical field?

The most challenging aspect in the medical field is keeping up with ongoing developments of new treatments and medications on the market.

If you could choose any other career, what would it be?

If I weren’t able to practise medicine, I would become a dentist. I enjoy doing things with my hands and have good dexterity.

Is there an individual in the medical community that you find most inspiring?

I find Dr. Marla Shapiro an inspiration. She is a very knowledgeable family physician who used to have a television show. She is a wonderful communicator. Her strength in battling and surviving cancer is very inspiring.

Can you share a health-hack that has made your life better?

Drinking plenty of kombucha and water has been extremely helpful to my health. Also, regular exercise like walking for 30-60 minutes per day has been great for my physical and mental health.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love traveling to different places where I snorkel and scuba dive. During these pandemic times, exploring new recipes has also been an enjoyable activity.