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As a lifelong Vancouverite, Dr. Ricky Tsang has always felt at home surrounded by the city’s energy and diversity.
His path through education and career mirrors that same sense of curiosity and adaptability. After earning his Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia in 2013, he pursued a second degree in nutrition, completing it in 2015. Ricky then briefly explored the corporate world as a law firm office assistant. However, after applying and being accepted to law school, Ricky ultimately discovered that his true passion lay in medicine. In 2019, Ricky returned to UBC for the MD Program, yet again embracing a new chapter of his educational and career journey.
Through all these experiences, Ricky has been guided by a simple principle: “I have always been interested in looking after people and providing care for them; that’s my means of making a difference in this life.” For him, mentorship became a natural extension of this philosophy, reflecting on those that helped him. “The way others taught and mentored me made me feel responsible for paying it forward” he says. “Mentoring became an avenue where I could do those things and give back and make a positive impact on someone’s life who has a similar pathway to mine. It’s really rewarding — I often get as much out of it as the mentees do. I learn so much from them and am inspired by the work they do.”
Ricky is a mentor to Jasper Palov (SHINE Cohort 2022) in the Beedie Luminaries Program, and has also been involved with the Land and Food System (LFS) Mentorship Program over the last 5 years. “I am constantly in awe”, he says. “I am just here to give a pat on the back as [the mentees] drive the ship”. When speaking to Ricky, it is abundantly clear that his care for others comes from a genuine place of care.
“He goes above and beyond to accommodate every opportunity for a Zoom call, answering all my questions—urgent or seemingly trivial—with insight and care. Ricky’s guidance on navigating university, UBC, and the pre-med path has been invaluable. Ricky is not only incredibly wise but also approachable and genuinely supportive. I deeply appreciate his mentorship and always enjoy our conversations.”
Jasper Palov, SHINE Cohort 2022
When working with mentees like Jasper, Ricky considers the whole person, not just academic performance. “I want them to do well in their personal lives in order to do well in their academic lives. I want to talk to him about his life: how are you liking work, your personal life? I am here to help with the trickle-down effect that can negatively impact the rest of your life.” Jasper’s openness and drive make this collaboration effortless: “Jasper is so driven, but also very an easy going young man,” Ricky observes, “and mentorship is more meaningful when there’s mutual trust and curiosity.”
A defining influence on Ricky’s mentorship style came from his medical training. While working with a senior internal medicine resident, he experienced collaborative, values-based guidance. “It was done in a way where there was gentle guidance rather than prescriptive. For something to be meaningful and sustainable, it has to come from within,” Ricky reflects. This experience now shapes how he empowers mentees to think critically, reflect deeply, and develop confidence in their own decision-making.
Beyond guiding academic and professional growth, Ricky sees mentorship as a grounding, almost therapeutic experience. “I have these moments where I think, ‘I have been there. I can relate to this.’ It’s nice to see that your experiences and hardships can impact others for the better. Mentorship helps me move away from my day-to-day and puts things into perspective by allowing me to revisit my past.”
Ricky also emphasizes the broader role of mentorship in shaping professional culture. “In medicine, there are aspects of the culture that are antiquated. Through mentorship, we have the opportunity to cultivate positive change, produce better outcomes for patients, and allow the next generation to thrive — hopefully, I can do that for Jasper and others.”
He looks for mentees who are inquisitive, reflective, and eager to grow. “Someone who asks why, how, and who demonstrates an innate curiosity,” he explains. “That curiosity reflects their drive to develop and pursue beyond themselves.” Yet he measures success in ways that go beyond CVs or accolades: “If a mentee walks away and says, ‘I learned a lot from this relationship. I’ve grown, improved, and I’m more comfortable now,’ that’s the litmus test for whether it was successful.”
Ricky’s dedication to giving back extends beyond Beedie Luminaries. As a Board Member of the Children’s Organ Transplant Society (COTS), he works to ensure that children in BC needing organ transplants receive not only medical care but comprehensive support for themselves and their families. “It’s a privilege to be able to work with these families and contribute to their experience during such a life-changing time,” he says.
In reflection of his incredible work in the community, Ricky received the Medal of Good Citizenship from the Province of British Columbia in January of 2024. This award celebrates British Columbians who have acted in a particularly generous, kind or selfless manner for the common good without expectation of reward.
Giving back to the community is something innate within Ricky. He’s the cheerleader on the sidelines, the guide who provides gentle encouragement, and the listener who reflects alongside his mentees. In turn, the mentees remind him of the challenges, excitement, and potential of those early career moments — and he is inspired all over again.
Thank you, Ricky. We are grateful to have you in the Beedie Luminaries community, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact of your mentorship for years to come.
