Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Tien Troy Tang

Tien Troy Tang (He/Him/His) is a Health Educator for the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement. Read on to learn more about his story. 

1. What are your career/research interests?

My passion has always been towards finding a career that encompasses healthcare, education, and voicing social disparities. As a health educator, I am committed to helping the Vietnamese community learn and get routine cancer screening. 

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices? 

Growing up Vietnamese American in Orange County, I was immersed in the diverse cultures and ethnic background OC has to offer. Surrounded by healthcare professionals in my family, I knew at an early age that I wanted to work in healthcare in some capacity. My education is still growing as I will be starting nursing school later this year.

3. What brought you to UCI?

In the midst of a global pandemic, my aunt was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She decided to go to UCI Health for her cancer care. While accompanying my aunt to her doctor appointments and treatments, I was able to witness the unwavering commitment her care team provided to my aunt's health and the overwhelming level of hope returning to my aunt and our family. With the amount of care that she received here at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, it was without a thought that I knew I wanted to be part of UCI Health.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work? 

In the beginning, I would introduce myself to the entire cancer center team as the health educator, assisting Vietnamese speaking patients. From that moment, nurses and doctors had a sense of relief that I would be able to help become the bridge to help Vietnamese speaking patients understand their treatment plan and connect with them in a cultural aspect.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission? 

My aunt's cancer journey and how I was able to help her in whatever capacity I can is what motivates me to serve the local community. Understanding that I was able to help my aunt understand her medical condition and be there for her makes me think about other Vietnamese speaking patients who may not have anyone to help them with their cancer journey. This itself motivates me to serve the Vietnamese patient population to help them discover, teach, and heal.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey?

My biggest challenge is that have experienced is deciding the next step in my professional journey. I was in a position where I wanted to either get a masters in public health or a nursing degree. At this point, I am moving forward with nursing. 

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of participating in the pilot program to obtain a certificate in Community Outreach and Engagement training program. In this program, I was able to collaborate with other health educators and leaders from other NCI cancer centers around the United States.

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

Outside of work, I spend my weekends as a youth leader in a program at church. This program is where I get to learn about my Vietnamese culture, build connections with the community, while playing dodge ball with the students.

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

I have not told anyone that I will be starting nursing school. So if you are reading this article, surprise!!!

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