Meet Christine Hsieh, MD

Dr. Hsieh is a colorectal surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC, who specializes in minimally invasive surgery as well as women’s health, including anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorders and functional concerns.

Here’s what you won’t find on her resume.

The love for a great story led her to medicine.

“I used to be a journalist, covering music and nightlife in Chicago, before moving to London to work as a freelance writer. I loved my job and certainly had a great time working with artists and musicians, but over time, I grew discontent with watching stories play out from the sidelines. On a whim, I applied for an internship at a public health journal. After reading a few submissions, I felt that the most compelling narratives involved people struggling with illness. I knew that a career in medicine would allow me access to these incredible stories, not just as an observer but as an active participant with the potential to affect significant change.”

Inspiration comes from her family.

“My parents continue to inspire me to be the best surgeon that I can be every day. They met in medical school and came to the United States to do their residency. My mother had me and my brother while she was still an OBGYN resident, and she once told me that she studied for her exams while holding me in one arm and my brother in the other. They were wholly devoted to their patients, and I hope to live up to that example.”

Robotic surgery reshaped her field.

“The most influential advancement in my field is robotic surgery. The exposure and dissection deep in the pelvis is a game changer (compared to what a surgeon would be able to do with their hands) for patients with low- to mid-rectal cancers.”

She loves seeing her patients after recovery.

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients in the postoperative clinic, wearing their street clothes and otherwise looking like any average person running errands and crossing the doctor’s appointment off their everyday to-do list! I’m always so impressed by the resilience and spirit of my patients to get back to doing the things that they love.”

Her favorite vacations are when she can see her family.

“I love visiting family in Taiwan. I didn’t appreciate it as much when I was a kid, but the last time I went, I was floored by how much Taipei has changed and by the incredible beauty of the countryside.”

Keck Medicine is her home.

“I love working at Keck Medicine, because the environment here is friendly and collaborative. Our division is moving the practice of colorectal surgery forward — from new endoscopic therapies to advancements in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. I find that there is something new to be inspired by every day.”

View Dr. Hsieh’s full biography and schedule an appointment.

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