White Coat Profile: Kinsley Wang

The White Coat Ceremony marks the first time a medical student will don his or her white coat, the defining symbol of a physician. The coat bestows a great honor on each student, and with it comes a responsibility to uphold the trust of every patient they will encounter. The Class of 2028 will receive their white coats on July 19 during a ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. in the West Ballroom of the Phoenix Convention Center downtown.

Meet Kinsley Wang

Kinsley Wang is from the Los Angeles suburbs — specifically the San Gabriel Valley.

She attended college at California State University, Los Angeles, through an early entrance program. Graduating at just 15, Wang was the youngest college graduate in program history.

Her general interest in medicine began while she was conducting cancer research. As she helped invent and design clinical trials for cancer drugs, she saw how they provided patients hope and extra time with their families. She hopes to continue having that impact on people’s lives as a doctor.

For Wang, she credits her family as her biggest supporters. They are first generation immigrants, so seeing their struggles growing up inspired her to aim for the highest.

Path toward Medicine

What was the spark that led you to become a physician?

I witnessed a family member suffer and recover from heart attack. The doctor — confident, yet compassionate — helped him to make full recovery. The impact of that doctor on my uncle and our family, providing hope and guidance, was really inspiring

Did you do any volunteering in health fields prior to medical school?

Volunteering for Huntington Hospital, I formed personal connections with patients, deepening my commitment to compassionate patient care.

I also volunteered at Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center, working with underserved patients in the downtown Los Angeles area. There, I witnessed the challenges of patients who face language barriers, financial barriers, etc. Those experiences have shaped the kind of doctor I want to be.

The College of Medicine – Phoenix

Why did you choose the College of Medicine – Phoenix?

The school culture I experienced during interview day. The medical students were close knit with each other and spoke about support at the college.

I also liked the curriculum, particularly the early exposure to patient care and focus on research.

I knew the College of Medicine – Phoenix would provide me with opportunities and resources to become excellent doctor.

What excites you most about beginning medical school?

Getting to learn more about the science and patient care sides of medicine, as well as getting involved in more research. And I am excited to meet the faculty and students — to learn from their experiences and to share mine.

Significance of the White Coat

What does the white coat mean to you?

The white coat means responsibility to serve patients with compassion and professionalism. I am going to dedicate my life to serving future patients and my community.