Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Chris Li ‘13

Meet Dr. Chris Li ’13, proud alumnus (go, Hemlock!) who is recently married and doing his cardiology fellowship in Vancouver. Kelsey Hayre, Senior Manager of Alumni, connected with Chris to see what he’s up to and how WPGA has impacted his personal and professional paths.

CL: WPGA prepared me incredibly well for both university and my career by pushing me to become a well-rounded individual. The curriculum offered an exceptional range of opportunities, from AP sciences and third languages to performing arts and competitive sports. If there was something you were interested in, there was a good chance you could find a way to explore it.

WPGA encouraged me to stretch myself in many different directions, both academically and personally. I was also involved in student leadership, which taught me organizational skills, communication, and the confidence to take initiative—all skills that helped me succeed in university and continue to support me in my career today. Most importantly, my teachers were unfailingly supportive and encouraging. They challenged me to aim higher, think more deeply, and bring my best self each day. Looking back, WPGA gave me a strong foundation for the transition to university and shaped the habits and mindset I rely on now in my career.

CL: I applied to many universities, including UBC, University of Toronto, McGill, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Queen’s, and McMaster. In the end, I chose to attend McGill. It offered an excellent science program, and majoring in Anatomy and Cell Biology gave me a strong foundation before entering medical school. I also appreciated that McGill had a smaller, more close-knit campus feel compared to schools like Toronto and UBC. It was also the perfect chance to experience life away from home for four years.

CL: Critical thinking was one of the most valuable skills I learned at WPGA. We were constantly encouraged to ask questions, dig deeper, and look at problems from multiple angles. I also learned a great deal about leadership, often in subtle ways—coordinating with classmates, balancing different viewpoints, stepping up when something needed to get done, and learning how to support a group without always being the loudest voice. Those skills have stayed with me throughout my journey.

CL: Grade 7 Sports Day, when our whole class grabbed the mic and sang Jordin Sparks’ “No Air” with what we believed was flawless, Grammy-worthy harmony. Looking back, I’m not sure it sounded good but in the moment it felt unbeatable.

CL: It’s hard to single out just one or two teachers because, truthfully, every teacher I had at WPGA influenced me in a positive way. Each brought something different: encouragement, challenge, perspective, or the confidence to stretch a little further, and all of those moments added up. One small nugget of wisdom that has stayed with me comes from Mr. Bohnen, who used to say with great enthusiasm: Cry in the dojo, laugh on the battlefield! It’s a phrase that has stuck with me for years. It reminds me that putting in the hard work early, even when it’s uncomfortable, makes the real challenges ahead feel that much more manageable. It’s a mindset that has stayed with me ever since.

CL: My biggest piece of advice is to try as much as you can. If something interests you even a little, give it a shot, whether it’s a new class, a club, a sport, a leadership role. WPGA is one of the rare places where you can explore your strengths and weaknesses in a supportive environment. You never really know what your passion is until you go looking for it. And don’t be afraid to fail along the way; you’re surrounded by peers and teachers who genuinely want you to succeed and will help you learn, grow, and find your footing. Take advantage of that support, be curious, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone.

CL: “More than school.”

CL: When I was a student at WPGA, Mr. Anthony and I both ended up hobbling around with the same knee injury. Truly elite company. He wore his knee brace with effortless style, and I wore mine with . . . visible regret.

CL: What I’m most proud of since graduating from WPGA is having the opportunity to build a career where I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Pursuing medicine has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, and I’m grateful for the mentors and experiences that led me here. More than specific accomplishments, I’m proud of the resilience, growth, and sense of purpose that have shaped my journey since leaving the school.

CL: My greatest wish for WPGA over the next 30 years is that it continues to thrive as the supportive and inspiring community that shaped so many alumni. WPGA has always been a place that nurtures curiosity, leadership, and a sense of possibility, and I hope it remains a place where future generations feel empowered to explore their passions, take risks, and grow into the experts, innovators, and, most importantly, the decent and grounded people our world will rely on to shape the future.

More than anything, I hope WPGA continues to give its students the strong foundation, both academically and personally, upon which they can build meaningful, successful, and purposeful lives. If the school can keep helping young people become capable and compassionate adults who make a positive difference in whatever corner of the world they end up in, I think that would be something truly special.