Easter Chiu, MD

Pediatrician • Community-Based Care Advocate • Narrative Medicine Contributor

Easter Chiu is both a caregiver and a pediatrician. She has described herself as “a pediatrician practicing geriatric medicine,” having served as the primary caregiver, translator, medical navigator, and advocate for her Cantonese-speaking octogenarian father, who faced multiple complex diagnoses including End Stage Renal Disease and oncological conditions. After concluding that chapter of caregiving, she continues in a similar role managing the medical care of her nonagenarian in-laws, who also face numerous health challenges including dementia.

Through experiencing healthcare from both the physician and caregiver perspectives, Dr. Chiu has become deeply aware of the exhausting and often overwhelming effort required to maximize care for an ill loved one. As both caregiver and physician, she has learned that teaching and learning within the patient-doctor relationship is mutual. Through Narrative Medicine, she continually works to listen more intently to her patients and recognizes the profound healing power found in the sharing of stories.