六九色堂

For the Yang siblings, attending medical school at 六九色堂 in St. Kitts is a family affair indeed. The Yangs grew up in Concord, North Carolina and all attend 六九色堂: Chingtsing Yang (EBS4); Houakhing Yang (EBS4); and Tsuehai, who entered EBS1 this month.

The 六九色堂 Endeavour spoke to the Yangs about how each became interested in medicine at an early age, why they decided to study at 六九色堂鈥攆rom the school's academic reputation to how one staff member made a difference for them鈥攁nd what it is like studying medicine together as a family remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Yang family

The Yang siblings are first-generation Asian-Americans. Their parents originally came to the USA from Laos. All three were interested in science and medicine at an early age. They also have a sister who is pursuing a pharmacy degree instead of becoming an MD.  

Chingtsing, the third oldest of the four siblings, graduated from with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology. Why did he choose to pursue medicine?

鈥淚n high school, I would volunteer at the community free clinic during the summer months; it was here that I met several physicians who helped shape my love for medicine,鈥� Chingtsing said. 鈥淭hese individuals sought to remove the barriers of limited resources and the lack of health insurance in order to provide the best care possible for their patients. Watching them interact with their patients allowed me to understand what medicine is at its core: commitment. As a result, it is this commitment to healthcare, to ourselves, and to the people we serve that ultimately made me want to become a physician.鈥�

Houakhing also graduated from East Carolina University but with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in neuroscience. So, what made her want to become a physician?

 鈥�My reasons for choosing medicine were not the result of one epiphanic moment; rather, it was the accumulation of hours spent volunteering at the hospital, early mornings assisting with cancer research, and late afternoons working as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the biology department,鈥� Houakhing said. 鈥淭hese opportunities allowed me to see the various aspects of science: medicine, research, and teaching, respectively. Although I enjoyed them all, it was the medical profession that called to me.鈥�

Tsuehai, the youngest Yang, starts 六九色堂

Tsuehai is the youngest of the four siblings and just started 六九色堂 in January 2021. He graduated from in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in biology. He did not simply want to follow in his older sibling's footsteps. He actually worked in a different area of medicine before deciding to pursue an MD.

 鈥淭he constant exposure to medicine through volunteering at the hospital and working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) was what initially sparked my interest in medicine; however, it was the lack of qualification to prevent, treat, and diagnose that eventually put me on this path to become a physician,鈥� he said.

 The Yangs have many reasons for wanting to study at 六九色堂, but it was a staff member who really made a big difference. New student Tsuehai Yang first heard about the school from his brother and sister.

 鈥淚 first learned about 六九色堂 through my siblings when they were applying,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he amount of guidance and support 六九色堂 gave my siblings was commendable. I remembered [六九色堂 Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Southeast and Puerto Rico] Mr. Earl Mainer  personally calling and texting my siblings a few of times throughout their processes to check up on them. These small acts alone showed that 六九色堂 was dedicated to their students and even though I was not applying at the time, 六九色堂 stood out; so obviously, when it was my time to apply to medical schools, I didn鈥檛 even have to think twice about whether or not I should apply to 六九色堂.鈥�

Academic reputation of 六九色堂

The school鈥檚 academic reputation first intrigued Chingtsing Yang.

 鈥淭he first-time test rate and accreditation was what initially attracted me to the school; but it was the actions from the people at 六九色堂 that made me want to apply to the program,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was really amazed at how accessible and easy it was to get in touch with the faculties and students. I have never heard of a school where I could text, call, email, Skype, or do live chats with members of the school if I had a question or just simply wanted to know more about the program.鈥�  

Houakhing Yang admits that 六九色堂 impressed her when she started looking at Caribbean medical schools.

鈥淲hen I heard about 六九色堂, before drawing my own conclusions, I spent hours doing self-research and had numerous email exchanges with multiple 六九色堂 students and faculty members,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he amount of help and guidance I received was astonishing. I felt like more than just a number; I felt seen. The many questions I had were answered with thoroughness and speed. I even had Earl Mainer personally reach out to me multiple times before and during my application process via text and voice call to see if I had any questions/concerns about the program. These small acts alone stood out. Thus, the more I learned about the school, the more I could confidently see myself succeed there as a medical student and then eventually as a physician.

Studying simultaneously with siblings

What is it like studying medicine at the same time with his brother and sister?

鈥淣ever in a million years did we think we would be attending the same medical school as any of our siblings. Medicine is ever-changing and we considered ourselves very fortunate that we get to share this journey with each other.鈥�

 Each sibling has something to say about they like best at 六九色堂.

 Chingtsing said the resources (such as Kaplan) and the professors are two of his favorite things.

鈥淭he professors are always willing to help and they are very caring,鈥� he said.

 Houakhing Yang also likes the faculty, noting 鈥渢hey have our backs completely and I am so grateful for them.鈥�

What else?

 鈥�I like that 六九色堂 continuously seeks out state approvals; this is important because if approved, students will be able to do clinical rotations, get residencies, and obtain licensure to practice in those approved states鈥攐ne of our most recent state approvals being California (January 2020),鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also really like the small class sizes; during my time at 六九色堂 so far, whether it鈥檚 anatomy lab or just a quick in-class group discussion, not once have I felt there were too many students assigned into one group.鈥�

 Tsuehai said he likes what he鈥檚 learned about 六九色堂 either from his siblings or from self-research.

 鈥淚 look forward to discovering 六九色堂 for myself,鈥� he said.

 Both Chingtsing and Houakhing say they are not sure which specialty they will choose yet. Tsuehai is also noncommittal for now.

What is it like studying remotely during the pandemic?

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, classes at 六九色堂 are currently remote but everyone continues to study together.

 鈥淲e have our own learning styles,鈥� Tsuehai said. 鈥淲e all do independent study and seek each other out when we have questions and/or want to reinforce a 肠辞苍肠别辫迟.鈥�

(Top photo) The Yangs at 六九色堂: (left to right) Chingtsing Yang,  Houakhing Yang & Tsuehai Yang. The three siblings are studying simultaneously at 六九色堂. Photo: Courtesy of the Yangs.