When Dr. Vivian Tsang received the Future Aces Scholarship in 2014, it meant far more than financial support. For her, it was a symbol of belief — in her abilities, her potential, and her drive to lead with purpose. “The scholarship was a reminder of hard work and recognition,” she recounts. That encouragement helped shape a path that has since blended medicine, innovation, and service.
Dr. Tsang is a psychiatry resident in the final year of her residency, poised to become a specialist in the field. Her ambitions extend beyond the traditional clinical setting. Alongside her medical training, she is pursuing groundbreaking research in psychedelic-assisted therapies — a promising approach for mental health conditions that haven’t responded to traditional treatments.
Her journey into medicine hasn’t been solely about treating patients; she is driven by a desire to develop solutions. “I love starting something from scratch and then completing it and seeing the fruits of my labour,” she explains. That mindset naturally led her to research, where she discovered a “channel through which I could enact change” and problem-solve using a first principles approach within her clinical work. Whether it’s research or other endeavours, this strategy is a recurring theme in her career.
Dr. Tsang’s impact extends far beyond healthcare. Her journey as a community leader began in high school, when she founded the Hope Initiative Foundation, inspired by her own experience with bullying in elementary school. What began as a school club offering small acts of kindness has grown into a national youth-led charity. Today, the foundation empowers young people across Canada to become change makers in their own communities.
She stresses the importance of providing youth with the autonomy and support to “enact change in their own community in a way that makes sense for them and in a way that they care about.”
Witnessing the transformative impact of youth engagement in community initiatives has inspired her to encourage aspiring leaders to recognize their own capacity for change.
“You shouldn’t underestimate who you are and the degree of change that can happen. You can enact just by caring more and finding something that you’re passionate about.”
She firmly believes that engaging in service not only benefits others but also empowers individuals — reinforcing their ability to make meaningful contributions to the world.
For Dr. Tsang, being a physician was never the destination — it’s part of the toolkit she uses to create broader systems change. She’s committed to addressing inefficiencies within the healthcare system, using creativity and resourcefulness to improve patient care and healthcare delivery.
Dr. Tsang’s journey — from scholarship recipient to medical researcher, social entrepreneur, and youth advocate — is a powerful example of how young people can turn passion into purpose, and vision into impact.