Janet J. Hsu-Lin, MD

Janet was born on September 3rd, 1968 in Tianjin City of Northern China. Both her parents were life-time teachers, with dad a renowned professor of Economics for more than 50 years at Nankai University and mom a high school English teacher also for more than 50 years! Growing up in a teacher family with strong academic surrounding at the Nankai University campus, Janet excelled in many areas since her childhood; she was a member of the high jump and sprint school team at middle and high school, a dancer, an amazing accordion player, and lastly a top-ranking and very popular achiever throughout her school years.

In 1987, following her grandparents’ footstep who studied at Columbia University and Bryn Mawr College (a Seven Sisters college) in the 1920’s, Janet by herself came to Massachusetts for undergraduate education with full scholarship at Mount Holyoke College (also one of the Seven Sisters). After graduating with high honor in Biochemistry in 1990, she enrolled at Tufts University Medical School and received her MD in 1994. Very unique and brave, Janet got married in 1992 and became a mother the following year, all while she was still a medical student! Janet completed her Pediatrics Residency and Fellowship training at UMass Medical Center in 1997 and Duke Medical Center in 1999, respectively.

Upon completion of medical training, Janet spent five years at Duke as Assistant Clinical Professor in Pediatrics and Surgery until 2003. She then moved to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Maryland, and eventually Janet relocated back to Boston to join the Children’s Hospital Boston in 2004 as Medical Staff in the Division of Emergency Medicine. After five years at Children’s, Janet joined Newton Wellesley Hospital Pediatric ED department working with a team of beloved colleagues for seven years. In the summer of 2016, Janet founded KidsWell Pediatrics and Urgent Care to provide a high quality pediatric medical care to the Newton community and surrounding areas. With a great passion and love for pediatric patient care, Janet worked extremely hard, 7 days a week, at KidsWell until her leukemia diagnosis and hospitalization in December 2017.

In addition to a smooth advancement in her medical career, for the past 27 years Janet and husband Roy have raised a beautiful family with three children: Carissa, Ethan and Justin. Among friends, colleagues and patients Janet has been well-known for her very big heart, always thinking of others before herself. At home Janet is the best mom and best wife that her family truly appreciates. After one year of brave battle against leukemia, Janet finally embarked on a new journey to the heaven. Her sunny smiles, beautiful voice and the kindest heart will be forever missed by all, especially her family.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Janet in the Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home 465 Centre St Newton Corner on Fri Nov 30 from 4-8 PM. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Sun Dec 2 from 3-5 PM in the Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston, 149 Old Spring Rd. Lexington.  Per the church's request, please omit flowers. Donations in Janet's name may be made to Village Bank, Dr. Janet Hsu-Lin Memorial Fund, 332 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA 02460

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