Many had the fortunate circumstances to pursue undergraduate and then medical school right out of high school.  That was their path and by late 20’s they are in that one career until Retirement. My life path was different, which did expose me to other careers. Importantly, I can relate to the term “self-made” reflective of career and working. The struggles of building from scratch, living paycheck to paycheck etc.

I have had help along the way from more impersonal sources – to which I am very grateful. The Federal Government for example, allowed me to pay for tuition as I did not have a “College Fund” from any source. Thank you. Like many students, I have a lot of student loan debt — but I was supported in going to school when I wanted to and for that I am truly grateful. We live in a spectacular Country. One that allows us to remake ourselves at any point in time.

I worked throughout High School, had “Outside Work Experience” so left school at noon and went to work. When I graduated I was an Assistant Office Manager. Then I pursued Real Estate, got my License and learned a lot. For a bit, was in Commercial Real Estate then transitioned to Property Management, which I preferred. Over time, I wanted more out of my career and was able to pivot into Technology.

It was the mid-90’s and Computers were taking over. I always loved to work, thankfully people appreciated that. I was blessed with good jobs and management who supported me. I worked my way through Technology eventually to become a Local Area Network Manager and then Wide Area Network Manager and Consultant.

Some things in my life changed. I no longer had some of the responsibilities that necessitated me being full-time employed with benefits. My best friend was attending State University and said to me – “Why don’t you try out Community College?”; I had no idea where to begin. She helped me fill out a BOG Waiver and FAFSA and off I went to Cabrillo College.

Of all my College experiences, I feel that the California Community College experience was the greatest. The Professors were accessible and kind, classes were small — it was just neat. I loved learning.

To make a long story short, I decided to pursue Medicine, worked part-time and attended school part-time until many years later…I had a tremendous opportunity presented to me.

I initially wanted to pursue Veterinary Medicine. My love of animals goes without saying. C.J. (dog above) was my first Dog and absolute Best Friend. I remember when she got sick and I took her to a Vet Hospital in Irvine. I was so amazed by Medicine and how they saved her. I visited her everyday at the Hospital. It was then I decided Medicine was for me.

I got accepted into Royal Veterinary College in London, part of the University of London infrastructure. I love to travel and always wanted to see and experience other cultures. I lived in London and traveled all over the UK and Europe while studying and working there. The last year of my Undergraduate Degree I worked with an amazing Researcher Dr. Mukherjee who mentored me in a year-long Laboratory Research project. I could not have asked for a better mentor. It was an amazing experience, full Bench work, running PCR’s, slicing for histology and analyzing statistical data.

I graduated with Honors, earning a Bachelors in BioVeterinary Science, moved back to the US and pursued Medical School.  Over time, I was accepted into St. George’s University School of Medicine. From there I graduated with my Medical Doctorate (M.D.).

Residency was next. First year I trained at Lehigh Children’s Hospital in Allentown Pennsylvania. I then transferred to University of California at Davis to finish my Pediatrics Residency. I found Residency to be extremely difficult. The rigors we go through and the 80+ hour work weeks are nothing less than brutal. UC Davis is a renowned Hospital; its size, diverse Patient population, and Specialties it houses exposes Residents to a extremely wide breadth of Medicine. One of the most intense parts was working in the Pediatric Emergency Room, managing Patients on the General Ward, along with the highly specialized therapy managed on the Children’s Oncology Floor.  They had a full blown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Ultimately at heart I enjoyed PICU medicine very much.  Overall, I will never forget some of my experiences there.

Things worked out — I now have my own Company and Practice which is extremely rewarding and the honor to treat and help others.

I look forward to meeting and caring for you or your precious little ones!

Dr. Zoë Sun, M.D. C.E.O.

ZenithMedicine, a Professional Corporation

Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) #23002104