【Extraordinary Business School Alumni】Loretta Choi (IBBA 1997) finds joy as a Chinese Medicine Practitioner
The alumni network of CUHK Business School is robust, with alumni seemingly always found nearby! Following our previous episodes featuring alumni from the entertainment and aviation industries, in this episode, we have invited Loretta Choi (IBBA 1997), who hails from the field of traditional Chinese medicine. She will share her journey of transitioning from the business sector to the medical sector, how she utilised marketing knowledge to carve her own path and provide wellness tips. Check out our interview below!
Like many other alumni, Loretta pursued IBBA at CUHK because she believed that business knowledge offers broad career prospects and is applicable to daily life. She was particularly impressed by the insights into “consumer behaviour” taught in a marketing course, which shed light on the mechanisms and principles of advertising. As a result, she has overcome impulse buying tendencies. “If I hadn’t learned this, I might have become a shopaholic who buys everything with an attractive price tag,” Loretta says.
Loretta chooses CUHK’s IBBA because she thinks business knowledge is relevant to daily life.
After graduation, Loretta worked as a marketer at a real estate company. However, when she experienced skin problems, she became intrigued by Chinese medicine theory, sparking her interest in becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner. After five years of diligent study and internships, she successfully became a registered Chinese medicine practitioner. Loretta openly acknowledges the encouragement she received from her Business School classmates, which motivated her to persevere in her pursuit.
Business acumen guided in finding the market niche
Wouldn’t it be more straightforward for Loretta to study Chinese medicine from the start? She said it might as well go the other way round: “At that time, Chinese medicine graduates struggled to find a job and many ended up in other sectors. Besides, if I hadn’t studied IBBA at CUHK, I wouldn’t have learned about marketing strategies. It’s hard to find my niche in the industry. “
As a novice in the field of Chinese medicine, her business acumen guided her in finding her niche in the market. This led her to choose a clinic location in a high-traffic area and pursue specialised studies in medical fields.
“Considering the market needs in Hong Kong, I deliberated on which areas of Chinese medicine would be most sought after. While bone-setting was in high demand, I realised it required substantial physical exertion, which may not have suited me. Instead, I opted to specialise in gynaecology and dermatology, given the significant demand from the female market and the prevalence of skin issues,” Loretta explains. She collaborated with beauty companies to host seminars and taught Chinese medicine courses at CUHK’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, allowing her to connect with patients and gradually build her practice.
Loretta has an unforgettable experience during a pro-bono medical consultation trip to the Philippines.
An indescribable sense of fulfilment
Providing medical aid to others brings Loretta an indescribable sense of fulfilment, especially when she witnesses patients’ conditions improve or even recover. Recounting a pro-bono medical consultation trip to rural Philippines, she remembers encountering a three- or four-year-old boy unable to walk despite appearing outwardly normal. “He went to a lot of doctors but to very little avail – he could barely stand! I gave him acupuncture and a week later, he ran to me to say thanks! It was incredibly moving to realise that my skills could help others.” She considers her current work highly meaningful, not only for its impact on patients but also for alleviating the burden on Hong Kong’s public healthcare system.
Due to skin problems in the past, which ultimately led Loretta to embark on the path of becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Eat only when hungry, and maintain a good work-life balance
Loretta finds out that many Hong Kong people’s health issues stem from “overeating”. This practice alleviates the burden on the digestive system. “Some patients told me they stick to regular meal schedules. However, consuming excessive amounts of food or indulging in snacks adds stress to their bodies, especially their digestive systems, as it requires significant energy to process excess sugar,” she explains.
She advocates for intermittent fasting as an alternative wellness approach. “If you’re not hungry, it’s best not to eat. But don’t overcompensate in your next meal.” Additionally, she advises reducing sugar intake and limiting consumption of cold beverages to give the digestive system a break.
Loretta reminds alumni to pay attention to work-life balance.
Loretta reminds her fellow alumni at CUHK Business School to prioritise work-life balance and take good care of their bodies. “Many of my patients work in accounting, and their tendency to overwork often leads to health issues, which can become chronic if left unchecked. If they establish healthy habits in their twenties, they may not need to seek medical assistance.”’
CUHK Business School alumni are everywhere, transcending geographical and industrial boundaries. To explore more inspiring alumni stories, please click HERE.