Hello and welcome to Between Two Dots, hosted by Hafiz Mitha and Gilbert Bong. Today, Dr. Rick Hu joins Hafiz and Gilbert to discuss his life, upbringing, and inspirational professional path. Dr. Hu is an orthopedic and spinal surgeon and a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery of the Cummings School of Medicine. He has founded or co-founded a television production company, a multi-disciplinary health clinic, a medical software company, an orthopedic surgical education platform, and a health analytics company. Join Hafiz and Gilbert as they find out just how Dr. Hu can be that accomplished.

“Between two dots – really, the value is in that line: the journey.”

Episode Highlights:

[0:57] Rick reflects on how immigrating from Taiwan to Nova Scotia to Canada at a young age affected him and his parents, and what it was like starting University at age 15.

[2:52] “I always said I couldn’t keep a job, and that’s probably correct.” Rick shares how bouncing around after medical school helped him find his professional passions.

[7:00] “You have to maintain some optimism for the future.” We learn how Rick continues to motivate himself deep into an enormously successful career.

[8:34] Rick discusses his efforts to uncover what he really wants now at 60 years of age after a lifetime of acting in a way that he believes was expected of him.

[9:35] “Being the foreigner, the person outside the fold, I did think that it did leave the scabbing – never feeling that you’re necessarily good enough or meeting the expecations of others.” Rick reflects on his experiences with bullying and racism growing up as the only minority in small towns.

[13:29] “This is the immigrant story.” Rick dives deeper into his reflections on his journey.

[15:10] “Your love will always grow, but the days don’t.” Rick shares his discoveries about the value of connecting with other people at this stage in his life.

[17:07] We learn why Rick thinks that some of the unkowns in daily life are more challenging than challenges like career obstacles or, in his case, battling colon cancer.

[19:54] “He has to be challenged and be worthy of that challenge.” Rick discusses what he sees as his purpose in life.

[22:45] Rick shares how he developed his entrepreneurial spirit, and where it has led him.

[24:52] We learn why Rick believes delegation is key to great leadership.

[27:50] Rick discusses how the optimism of his granddaughter and young entrepreneurs help keep his outlook bright.

[30:12] “There’s a difference between happiness and satisfaction with your life.” Rick shares his advice for life, the value of doing hard things, and how desires change over the course of one’s life.

[37:00] We learn who Rick’s influences are, and how they have changed over the course of his career.

Learn more about the Calgary Health Foundation at https://www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and the guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or affiliated companies.