Biography

California native Tien Ko is doing exactly what he wants to do in life. “From my first rotation in surgery at UCLA, all I wanted to do was operate,” he says. Today, he is Chief of Surgery at Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital.

“This is the best job ever, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I like fixing people and making a difference and an impact using scientific experimentation. It’s a privilege. “

In his spare time, the father of triplet toddler boys skis and plays tennis. He gave up golf because it takes too long. “If you get one bad shot, you can never recover,” he explains.

His advice to others? “Do what you love to do. Not a lot of people are fortunate to do what they want to do, so if it’s in your power, make it happen.”

Education

Undergrad
BS, Biochemistry, University of California, 1978-1982
Graduate
MD, School of Medicine, University of California, 1982-1986
Internship
General Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 1986-1987
Residency
General Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 1987-1991
Fellowship
Research Fellow, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 1991-1993
Fellowship
Postdoctoral Fellow in Department of Growth and Development, University of California, San Francisco, 1998-1999
Fellowship
Program for Chiefs of Clinical Services, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, 2008