Tina Xia, MD
(Third Year Resident)
What are your future plans?
Glaucoma fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital next year.
Why did you choose Ophthalmology/WashU?
The kindness and closeness of everyone, residents, faculty and staff. I felt it my first time at WashU, which was for residency interviews four years ago. I left that day knowing that this program cares about its trainees, both as learners and individual people. All the applicants that day felt it and finished the day also feeling a bit closer to one another. The WashU camaraderie is contagious. I knew that if I came here I would receive amazing ophthalmology training, within a supportive environment of caring and passionate residents and mentors. My residency and living in St. Louis have exceeded my expectations. All the fellows and faculty are so approachable and are great clinicians. I am grateful for all their mentorship. I am also grateful for my co-residents, who have made the last four years even more enjoyable and made them pass way too quickly.
What advice would you give to the new residents?
Be curious, humble and open to learning. Whether it is the routine or the familiar, approach each situation as an opportunity to learn something new and improve as a physician. Make it fun. Lastly, don’t forget to find time for self-care and to enjoy hobbies.
Favorite memory of your residency
-Internal medicine holiday party. Discovered that my co-residents loved dancing too and that I have found my people.
-Filming our first-year graduation video, and raising awareness for astigmatism.
-Residents and fellows chatting about anything and everything at the end of a busy Friday afternoon at the VA.
How did you survive quarantine?
Netflix, knitting, and exercise.
How did you deal with the stress of your residency?
Talking to friends and family. Hanging out and having a meal with my co-residents, even if it is just take-out dinner that we eat in the UES workroom.
Favorite thing about living in St. Louis?
Forest Park and all the things you can do in there. I especially love the zoo.
Favorite service and why?
I loved the glaucoma rotation for the dynamic and diverse faculty. It was fun to be busy, having an active role in the attendings’ clinics and seeing a wide range of diseases. As residents, we were also able to do quite a bit of glaucoma surgeries. It definitely made me very excited for fellowship. Cornea rotation was also a favorite. There were lots of learning from great faculty, lots of pathology, lots of surgeries, and lots of laughter.
Favorite teacher and why?
It is too hard to choose because I learn something different from each faculty. The teaching styles are effective in different ways and are great to observe and learn from.
What did you learn in your residency that impacted you the most?
Care for the person in front of you, with both big and small actions. The small moments you take to ask about their day, empathize, and express curiosity in their life will build tremendous trust and connection. And in those small moments, you will find joy in your work and endeavors as well.