Triple Helix: What's your name?

Ella Kim: My full name is Soyang Ella Kim - Some know me by my Korean name Soyang, and others know me by Ella so apologies to anyone I have confused in the past!
THx: Where do you live?EK: London

THx: What's your job?

EK: I'm an ophthalmology registrar in the North Thames deanery

THx: How are you involved in CMF, and what does that look like?

EK: Well, to be honest, I've been a bit of a CMF keen bean since day one of medical school and have been involved in a variety of ways over the years. I'm currently serving on the Junior Doctors' Committee and will be chairing it from October. My main roles over the past year have been organising this junior doctors conference and helping to increase our social media presence. I've also been involved in various local groups over the years and recently helped to set up a church group.

THx: What's the best thing about CMF for you?

EK: Hmm... this is a tough question as there is a lot that I love about CMF. I love that the fellowship is made up of so many different but like-minded people who are all united in seeking to serve Jesus in and through medicine. I love that I've met some of my closest friends through it, and I keep meeting more wonderful, inspiring people each year. I also love that CMF's ministry encourages and helps me in practical ways to live and speak for Jesus in the medical world.

THx: What encourages you from day to day?

EK: The goodness and faithfulness of God whom I meet through his word, through prayer, and through his people.

THx: What difference does your faith make to you as a doctor?

EK: I think it makes a massive difference to why I do my job, who I am ultimately serving, the way I view my successes and failures, and the way I treat my patients and colleagues.

THx: How have you grown spiritually since starting medicine?

EK: I'm grateful that God has grown me spiritually in different ways. He's matured my understanding of what it looks like to serve him; he has helped me to trust him in any situation that I find myself in, and he gives me the ability to love people that I wouldn't naturally love. I've still got a lot of growing to do and pray that he will continue to teach me and mould me each day.

THx: What tip would you give to other Christian junior doctors?

EK: Try to love and respect everyone the way Jesus does. This includes your boss, your team, patients, relatives, nurses, cleaners, porters, receptionists, ward clerks, therapists, students, rota coordinators, secretaries, and anyone else you come across. And remember that we love because Christ first loved us.

THx: What do you like to do outside of work?

EK: I like to spend time with my fiancé, friends, and family. I enjoy being part of my church, keeping fit, going out for nice meals, creative projects, trying new activities, and going on adventures!

THx: If you weren't a doctor, what do you think you would be doing?

EK: Maybe I'd like to be a teacher, or something very different like a medical illustrator, calligrapher, florist, seamstress, or pilates instructor.

THx: What's your favourite biscuit, and why?

EK: I don't often have biscuits (because I would just eat the whole pack in one sitting), but with my sweet tooth it's difficult to say no to a Choco Leibniz or Jaffa cake (although the latter are not actually biscuits, are they!)

Ella Kim is an Ophthalmology Trainee in London