Lancaster Physician Summer 2021 - 25

SUMMER 2021
Passion Outside of Practice
PASSION OUTSIDE OF PRACTICE:
Christine Ngoc Mai Dang, MD
UPMC
It's our pleasure to highlight a Lancaster City & County Medical Society member's " passion outside of practice " in
each issue of Lancaster Physician. Beyond their commitment to health care, LCCMS members have many other
talents, skills, and interests that might surprise you. In this issue, we're thrilled to feature Christine Dang, MD, and
her passion outside of practice.
How did you develop an interest
in your passion outside of
practice and how long have you
been participating in
this activity?
To be honest, it is hard to say. I started piano
lessons when I was six years old. I remember my
parents asking my brother and me if we wanted a
computer or a piano. The piano won - although I
think my older brother would have preferred the
computer. I took lessons with a woman named
Daphne Witmer at her house, which was on an old
farm in Lancaster. When I was older, my parents
transitioned me to the Lancaster Conservatory of
Music. I stopped lessons around the age of 18
when I went to college. I also started learning the
viola in grade school and played in the orchestra. I
picked up a little bit of guitar during college. The
only instrument I still play is the piano.
Why is this pursuit special
to you?
I think it is special because every religion, race,
and culture has its own form of music. It is a
common thread that allows people to connect. I
feel it enriches our lives and stimulates the
brain. It is a way for people to express themselves
and their emotions.
music
Briefly describe your passion
outside of practice.
Music arts is one of my passions. Music is such a big
part of our lives. Most of us appreciate it (I think)
but may not realize its importance or value. I love
listening to music (be it streaming Pandora radio
while doing house chores or when having friends
over), watching it (as in the symphony or musical
theater), and playing it (the piano). My husband
and I have season tickets to the Fulton Theatre.
When we were in training in Philadelphia, we
would go to the different theaters there for shows.
LANCASTER 25 PHYSICIAN
What else would you like readers
to know about this passion?
I continue this strong passion for music, and both of
my children play the piano and take lessons. I feel
it is a good life skill to have, and I try to encourage
them to continue their practicing (which of course
no one really enjoys doing). I try to explain to
them why I think it is important - as it stimulates
the right side of the brain (though it involves both
hemispheres), improves hand eye coordination,
improves memorization, gives them a sense of
accomplishment, and more. To make it more fun for
them, I recently started doing duets and trios with
them for their recitals.

Lancaster Physician Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Lancaster Physician Summer 2021