Angela He, M.D.

What this award means: I am incredibly honored to be selected for this award, which honors my medical school journey and passion for the field of radiology. The support of my mentors and faculty in the Department of Radiology has been invaluable, and their recognition of my hard work is extremely meaningful.

Mentor comment: Angela is an exceptionally capable, accomplished, and compassionate medical student who exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence, professionalism, and service. – Kristen Bishop, M.D., Associate Professor of Radiology and Director of Radiology Medical Student Education

Background and family: I was born in Plano, Texas, the youngest of my parents’ three children. My parents immigrated from China and moved around the country with my brothers before finally settling in Texas. They worked incredibly hard to support us and I am happy to be the first physician in my family.

College: I graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, Bachelor of Arts in history, and minor in Chinese. I also was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the academic honor society, my junior year.

What led to your career path: Throughout medical school and my rotations, I found myself drawn to the diagnostic side of medicine and the incredibly critical role of radiology. To me, radiology embodies the unique intersection of the scientific and technologically complex aspects of medicine, as well as the art of medicine that’s inherent to a patient’s story. Imaging captures each patient’s story in a unique way that is fundamental to understanding the best way to provide care for them.

UTSW activities: I served as a manager for the Monday Clinic and Agape MSK Clinic and as the Director of DFW Hep B/C Free/APAMSA. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work on musculoskeletal radiology research with Avneesh Chhabra, M.D., M.B.A., Professor of Radiology and Orthopaedic Surgery. Some of my favorite activities involved working with other students and taking part in student panels during medical school admissions as well as serving on the Gold Humanism Honor Society Student Affairs and Transitions to Clerkships committees.

What words describe your UTSW experience: Growth, resilience, and maturing.

One tip for medical school success: Remember that your goal as a medical student is to learn. It is easy to get caught up in the desire to perform and impress your attendings, but that mentality can cause you to develop a fear of failure, which could cripple your growth. Learning from your mistakes will help you mature as a future physician and a human being.

Favorite way to relieve stress: I love listening to my favorite songs and going on long walks surrounded by nature.

Surprising fact: Growing up with brothers, I became a big fan of video games. Some of my favorites include the Persona series, and recently I’ve been enjoying Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Future plans: I am excited to start my diagnostic radiology training in the coming years, first at HCA Medical City Healthcare in Plano for a transitional year, and then at UC San Francisco. I am currently interested in musculoskeletal radiology and aspire to become an academic radiologist so I can teach and mentor future physicians.

About the award: The Gordon Award is bestowed on a graduating medical student who has declared an intention to pursue a career in radiology and has excelled in their studies.