Dr. Albert Tang’s leadership and passion for helping others led to his selection by classmates as this year’s Iatros Award winner. The award is based on attributes that embody the ideal physician, including patient care, clinical ability, leadership, and community service. His goal is to become a family medicine physician in a small town where he can develop meaningful, long-term relationships with his patients.

Albert Tang, M.D.

What the Iatros Award means: My greatest inspirations are my classmates supporting each other in the quiet moments before rounds, after long days, and in the many workrooms throughout UTSW. What this shows is that kindness and defense of our colleagues are commonplace, not exceptions.

Class of 2025 student comments: This student has consistently been a selfless and thoughtful leader for our class and for the patients he takes care of. … When the rest of his team was scheduled for a simulation session during a 28-hour call shift, he handled the entire shift as the only med student there. … I have seen him as a wonderful volunteer at DFW Hep B Free screening fairs, fostering trust with communities in his quiet but steadfast way. … Before school officially started, he stepped up as a champion for student well-being and success, rallying resources to support us and continuing to do so once classes began. … I would trust him without hesitation to care for my loved ones, knowing his compassion, professionalism, and dedication make him the kind of physician we all aspire to be.

What the Leadership Award means: The award represents the wisdom and advice provided from each of my classmates and mentors along the way, and the perseverance of the whole student body.

Leadership Award mentor comment: While incredibly humble, Albert leads by example and through advocacy. With his dedication to his class, Albert created valuable study resources and generously shared these with others. His gentle approach to addressing student body concerns was impactful and positive. With his dedication to others, commitment to excellence, and passion for primary care, I have no doubt he will use these leadership skills in his future career and make an important impact on his practice and his community. – Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pediatrics

Background and family: I grew up in Southern California, a bit south of Los Angeles. My dad (the hardest-working person I know) and my mom (the smartest person I know) are computer engineers who are now DIYing an entire house as retirees. They taught me to work hard and retire early. Hearing their stories as refugees after the fall of Saigon, I knew I also wanted to give back in whatever way possible to the country that took us in.

What led to your career path: My grandpa used to tell me stories about him running a rural surgery on the ground floor of his home before he immigrated to the U.S. My grandma, a nurse, did the anesthesia and my mom, as a kid, would sometimes stick her head in to watch him deliver babies or take out goiters. I figured out pretty fast that I wasn’t that cowboy; but just after I got into medical school, my grandpa told me before he passed away to “take care of the sick and the poor.” I figured I’d go do that.

College: I went to the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in molecular environmental biology, graduating with highest distinction. Go Bears!

UTSW activities: As class co-President with the wonderful Davyani Srivastava, I spam the class GroupMe with various surveys and reminders. I was also in the Emergency Medicine Interest Group and volunteered for various activities, including with DFW Hep B Free and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Future plans: I’m going into a family medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster General Hospital. Eventually, I’m going to find a small town somewhere that has some greenery and needs a family medicine doc. I’d like to stay full spectrum and be able to manage workup and the eventual follow-up of any patient.

About the awards: The Iatros Award was established by the UT Southwestern Medical School Class of 1984 to honor a graduate who most emulates the complete qualities of a physician. The Iatros Award carries a cash prize provided by the Alumni Association. The Leadership Award annually goes to one or more student officers of the graduating class and includes a $1,000 award.