Dr. Lily Hwang is a sister, daughter, wife, mother, and board-certified allergist. She understands firsthand the challenges faced when trying to meet the needs of all family members. She prides herself on developing personalized treatment plans with your family’s lifestyle in mind. Dr. Hwang sees patients in our Alpharetta and Lawrenceville offices. Learn more about her below!
How long have you been working at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma?
I have been an allergist for 10 years and have been with Atlanta Allergy for 8 years.
What inspired you to become a physician?
When I volunteered in the hospitalʼs neonatal unit in high school, I was impressed with the team of medical specialists working together to save a newborn baby. It sparked my passion to pursue a career in medicine.
Have you always wanted to be a physician? What else did you consider?
I always found the medical field fascinating because of the constant new discoveries and medical treatments. If I didnʼt go into medicine, I may have fallen into international or world studies.
What made you choose your specialty?
Coming from a very atopic family with multiple family members with food allergies, it was a natural calling. Witnessing my nephew (with asthma, multiple food allergies, eczema) have a food allergy reaction at a restaurant and having to give epinephrine to save his life — I want to help families work through their concerns as well.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
My patients’ life stories. I love hearing about their lives, their families, and their hobbies. I enjoy listening to how they have used the tools we discussed in the office to make them feel better with their allergies and asthma to help live a healthier life. Seeing my little patients pass a food challenge or complete their allergy injection program and be medicine free.
What is the most challenging part of your job or in practicing medicine today?
Time!! We just donʼt have enough of it to spend with our patients. Helping patients navigate their insurances and access to medications.
What makes you look forward to work every day?
Maybe I can help change a life today. Patients’ life stories. A couple on immunotherapy share with me what an impact their treatment has had on their quality of life, celebrating their 60 years of marriage. Just makes me smile. Or maybe my 6-year-old patient draws me a painting.
What have you learned from your patients?
We must listen to our patients. There is no one size fits all. Medicine is truly an art. Itʼs a partnership both patient and doctor have to “buy in” to the treatment plan. We always have to want to do it and work together to accomplish our goals.
What is something that makes you look forward to work every day?
“There are always new things happening in the allergy medical community,” Dr. Hwang said. “It’s exciting to be involved in such a dynamic specialty. Using that knowledge and being able to tell a patient ‘I think we can change your life’ is what keeps me going.”
What is something that you have learned from your patients?
“It’s different when you look at it from the patient side,” Dr. Hwang said. “It really gives me empathy and a better perspective on how both parents and patients feel.”
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I love spending time with my family. I read a lot in my free time. Last book I read was the Wings of Fire series. I canʼt wait for The Poison Jungle, Book 13. I also like to hike, play tennis, knit, and learn poker.
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Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, the largest allergy practice in Georgia, has been the premier provider of quality care and research in the field of allergies, asthma, and immunology for more than 45 years. The practice’s board certified allergists and specially trained nurse practitioners are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic, asthmatic, and immunologic diseases. Atlanta Allergy & Asthma is the only National Allergy Bureau certified pollen-counting station in the Atlanta area.