• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • A day in the life of a Shrewsbury student
        • 6 Beautiful Boats for a Day at Sea
        • IWD in Hong Kong - successful female entrepreneurs and business women stories - Lavish and RajviIWD Special: Women kicking goals in HK #2
        • Men's tailors in Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • 6 Beautiful Boats for a Day at Sea
        • things to do in Hong Kong - Art Central 2023Top 35 Best Things To Do In Hong Kong This Weekend
        • What to watch this month – Netflix & more!
        • Kowloon Walled City Park10 must-see historical buildings in HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
        • A day in the life of a Shrewsbury student
        • Tackling the issue of kids and online safety
        • Meet the new head teacher at Stamford
        • Things to do with kids on their school break
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • Exploring the interiors of HK’s newest hotel
        • What’s in your mattress?
        • Why leasing furniture can be a great option
        • Home news - new furniture , décor and store openings in Hong Kong - Altfield tulipieresHome news: décor, furniture & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • 6 Beautiful Boats for a Day at Sea
        • 10 of the most famous gardens in the world
        • travel from hong kong to macau - new macau hotels - LondonerA guide for your next trip to Macau
        • new hotels and hotel deals in Hong Kong - Regent Hong Kong reopeningTravel News and Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Pizza restaurants in Hong Kong, takeaway pizzas and delivery - Pizzeria Italiana5 Places to get great pizza in HK
        • Cask whiskies stacked for article on investing in cask whisk for Cask Trade in Hong KongInvesting in whisky casks in Hong Kong
        • International Women's Day – stories of female entrepreneurs and businesswomen in Hong Kong – NanaIWD Special: Women kicking goals in HK #1
        • Oven-Baked Iberico Pork St Louis Spare Ribs
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • The latest in laser hair removal, plus great deals!
        • Men's tailors in Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
        • Beauty news: The latest launches!
        • Best lipsticks and lip glosses - reviewsOur reviews: Lipsticks & glosses
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • heart health: high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease10 Key Questions on Cholesterol
        • Fitness the Fast way!
        • 10 great gyms & studios to keep in shape
        • A gastric balloon that can help you lose weight
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • Magazine
    • Advertise With Us
    • Close

Combining medicine and motherhood

19 October, 2018 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/hong-kong-paediatric-surgeon-dr-jennifer-sihoe/

Born in Malaysia and raised in Hong Kong, with Singaporean Chinese, Shanghainese and Canadian roots, paediatric surgeon Dr Jennifer Sihoe is the epitome of a truly international upbringing. “I went to an ESF school and then to Nottingham University in England for university after my A-levels in Hong Kong,” Jennifer explains, before adding, “I came back as this is home for me.”

DR JENNIFER SIHOE in her office
Dr Jennifer Sihoe

These days, Jennifer shares her life in Jardine’s Lookout with her three children, Nathan, aged 14, Alayna, 11, and Alysha, who is nine, along with the family’s much-loved dogs, Tsuki, a Shiba, and Fluffy, an aptly-named Pomeranian. As a hard-working surgeon, Jennifer’s daily routine necessitates an early start. “I wake up before 6am to help prepare and pack the children’s bags, then get everyone ready, before driving to school at 7am. I stay until school starts at 7.45am, then I head in to work.”

And while her work location can vary between hospital wards, surgical theatres, or the HK Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology Centre clinic in Central, Jennifer’s day remains consistently busy, working around her professional commitments to ensure that family life runs smoothly. “I normally work through lunch, or schedule my lunch break for 2.30pm so that I can do the after school pick-up. I usually go back to work after dropping off the children at home.”

DR JENNIFER SIHOE family

The end of the day sees the family sitting down for dinner and a catch-up. “Depending on the time, I like to have individual chat times with the children just before bed; however, it’s inevitable that there are times when I need to be away for work,” she says. This mutual understanding helps Jennifer’s children to appreciate the importance of responsibility. “I think it’s important to be a role model for them, to show them that everyone should have a sense of dedication and responsibility at work, as they also should at school.”

Jennifer says one of the attractions of a career in medicine was being able to do something meaningful. “I felt that it was a career in which I could learn a skill that I can use to help others,” she says. “I felt that my life would be more meaningful if I could help others, and give back to the community.” Jennifer’s specialisation in paediatric surgery came after six months spent as an intern in the surgical ward. “My patients would come into hospital in a lot of pain and suffering, but nearly all of them went home well again – this was when I knew I really wanted to be a surgeon.”

DR JENNIFER SIHOE

I ask whether Jennifer wants her children to follow in her footsteps one day, and she muses, “I want them to be able to enjoy the rest of their lives doing something that will make them happy … and, of course, it’s a bonus if you can make a living while doing what you like to do!”

See more in our Health & Fitness section:

How to deal with food allergies in kids

5 ways to beat work stress

Are you getting the sleep you need?

This article first appeared in the August/September 2018 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.

Categories: Health & Fitness Medical & Dental Tags: Medicine Motherhood Paediatric Surgeon Parenting

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

You May Also Like

Fitness the Fast way!

family dental clinics and dentists in Hong Kong

Family Dental Clinics and Dentists in HK

Woman stretching for article on running and heart health

Running and Heart Health

Primary Sidebar

  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.