Karen Sun Interview

My name is Karen Sun. I am a physician, and currently my title is I'm professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. I am the associate medical director of the Pediatric Pain Palliative and Integrative Medicine Program, and I am the clinical chief of the division with the same name

 

What first drew you to medicine and science when you were younger? Was there a moment when you knew this was your path?

 

I always loved science, especially biology. In high school it was my favorite subject. I was initially drawn to psychology and majored in psychobiology at Yale, planning for a PhD in psychology. At the same time, I spent years working with children, especially in under-resourced communities. I founded a program at Yale to support gifted inner-city students, which still exists today. I realized I wanted a career combining science with working with children. Medicine, and specifically pediatrics, became the natural fit.

 

Were there early experiences that shaped your interest in psychology or working with children?

 

Two experiences were formative. First, as an undergraduate during the height of the HIV epidemic, I became deeply interested in the science and medicine of HIV. Second, teaching middle school in New Haven exposed me to how poor healthcare and limited resources constrained children’s futures. That experience motivated my long-term commitment to pediatric care and advocacy.

 

At the start of your career, were there pivotal decisions you made?

 

During residency, the key decision was choosing a specialty. I considered oncology and spent significant time in oncology wards. Ultimately, I chose hospital-based pediatrics. Later, I shifted into pediatric pain and palliative care after recognizing that children’s pain was undertreated and that existing approaches were too narrow. I pursued specialized training to address pain more holistically.

 

Is there anything you would do differently if you could go back?

 

Career paths are rarely linear. I stepped away from academic medicine for several years while raising young children and worked in clinical practice outside a university setting. Some would consider that a career risk. It did not harm my trajectory, but staying in academia might have accelerated certain opportunities. I do not regret the decision. It was right for my family and ultimately worked out professionally.

 

What challenges in pediatric care or pain medicine are underestimated?

 

Pediatrics treats both the child and the family. Progress is limited without family understanding and trust. That complexity is unique to pediatrics. Today, misinformation has become a major challenge, contributing to physician burnout and undermining basic public health measures for children.

 

Have misinformation trends worsened recently?

 

Yes. Outpatient pediatricians spend enormous time countering false health information and vaccine hesitancy. We are already seeing preventable deaths and resurgences of diseases like measles and pertussis. The consequences will continue to grow.

 

What changed in medicine from pre-COVID to post-COVID?

 

Hospital infection-control practices became permanently stricter. Masking and precautions are now routine. We also see long-term COVID complications in hospitalized children, especially those with underlying chronic or immunocompromising conditions.

 

Is COVID still present in hospitals?

 

Yes, though not in large volume. The hospitalized cases tend to be medically complex children whose underlying conditions make COVID more dangerous.

 

How do you approach uncertainty in medical decision-making?

 

Families want clear recommendations. I explain what the evidence supports, why I recommend a course of action, and acknowledge uncertainty honestly. When multiple reasonable options exist, I use shared decision-making guided by family goals. Trust and communication are essential.

 

What do you wish families understood about medicine?

 

Medicine cannot fix everything. Recovery is sometimes incomplete or slow. Accepting that reality is difficult, especially when a child is ill, but it is often the truth.

 

What habits do you wish young doctors developed earlier?

 

Spend time with patients beyond checklists. Learn to see the patient as a whole person. Also, develop strong organizational systems. Efficiency is critical in medical training and practice.

 

Best advice you received from a mentor?

 

A mentor told me not to undersell myself. If I was taking on leadership responsibilities, I should negotiate appropriate pay and time, because I would be doing full-time work regardless. That lesson in self-advocacy shaped how I approach leadership and how I mentor women physicians.

 

What gender disparities remain in medicine?

 

Pay gaps persist, though they are narrowing. Leadership remains male-dominated. Until women hold more top-level roles, disparities will continue.

 

What principle guides you in high-pressure situations?

 

Pause. Silence is powerful. Staying calm lowers tension and improves judgment. Speaking only after gathering thoughts is more effective than reacting quickly.

 

A failure or lesson that still shapes you?

 

Early in my career, I did not advocate for myself strongly. Later I learned to define my goals clearly and ask for what I needed. I now ensure junior faculty understand their value and speak for themselves.

 

Do younger generations struggle with confidence?

 

Less than before. Millennials and Gen Z physicians are more comfortable stating what they want and advocating for themselves.