Photo by Madison Kirkman from left: Darrell Wong and Duane Wong

ALLERGISTS

Name of medical school:
Duane: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Darrell: FUHS/The Chicago Medical School

Years in practice:
Duane: 22 years

Darrell: 11.5 years

Who is your personal health care hero?
Duane: Probably my uncle, Donald Wong, MD. He was an allergy/immunology specialist in Los Angeles, and working in his practice during medical school and residency inspired me to do what I do now. Tragically, he and two of my cousins were killed in a plane crash just before I started my allergy fellowship.

Darrell: My mentor/program director for allergy/immunology – the late Richard Evans III, MD.

“I decided to become a doctor when...”
Duane: I thought that I would have the opportunity to drive an ambulance very quickly through the streets of Los Angeles. It was a very rude awakening when I found out that physicians didn’t do that.

Darrell: I knew that I had no chance to make it in the NBA.
   
What made you choose allergy/immunology in particular?
Duane: I really liked the fact that one is able to see both adults and children and that you can help the vast majority of your patients dramatically improve the quality of their lives.

Darrell: Two reasons: my own personal experience with allergies as a child and also my uncle, who was an allergist and treated me.

“If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...”
Duane: One of three things: Marine Corps sniper, Formula 1 driver or professional drummer. If there is a common thread here, I can’t find it.

Darrell: Probably in a computer/technology-related field.

“When I’m not working, I like to...”
Duane: Serve with my music team at church, where I get to play drums or bass guitar on a weekly basis, mountain bike, road bike, and downhill ski.

Darrell: Play basketball, online games and music.

“What’s the best thing about working with a sibling?”
Duane: Darrell and I get along very well. We do disagree in one area: sports. He is a die-hard Lakers fan and I root for the Suns. This leads to some very serious disagreements during the NBA season.

Darrell: Having an older brother to work with gives me someone to bounce ideas off of and draw from his experience; there is also a trust with a family member.