She considers herself “very career oriented because there are specific goals that I can actually see,” she said. “I have the ability to affect change now and prepare for it and see it as a concrete goal that will happen at a certain time. That's comforting to me.” When Dr. Lim finds spare time she spends it at home with her boyfriend or with a good book of fiction. She also swims. “Medicine has overtaken my life and I need a break from it when I'm at home,” she said. “I read a lot and see my friends as often as I can.”
She doesn't sugarcoat the advice she gives to physically challenged physicians. The way she sees it, success comes down to conviction—believing in yourself and in the goals you set. “Always be aware that failure can happen, but that's not necessarily a reflection on you,” she emphasized. “Your life is not a vacuum. It's a combination of events that are beyond your control.”
Dr. Kellie Lim tells physicians who are physically challenged that in the end, success comes down to conviction—believing in yourself and your goals. ©DUNCAN STEWART