Finding Common Ground, with Dr. Ming Wang, Founding Director, Wang Vision Institute (Hello, Self… Episode 64)
Patricia Leonard, host of the Hello, Self… podcast, welcomed Dr. Ming Wang, an esteemed laser eye surgeon and Harvard/MIT graduate. Dr. Wang shared his remarkable journey from a tumultuous childhood in China during the Cultural Revolution to becoming a pioneering eye surgeon in America. His work includes developing the amniotic membrane contact lens, which has restored sight to millions globally.
Their conversation covered themes of resilience, faith, and the pursuit of common ground in a divided world. Dr. Wang emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge, remembering one’s roots, progressing human knowledge, and helping those in need. He inspired listeners to find their purpose and work towards making the world a better place.
A video version of this conversation is available on Patricia’s YouTube Channel here.
Dr. Ming Wang, Founding Director, Wang Vision Institute

Dr. Ming Wang, Harvard & MIT (MD, magna cum laude), PhD (laser physics), is a world-class cataract and LASIK eye surgeon, philanthropist, and community activist. He is the founding director of Wang Vision Institute and a Clinical Professor for Meharry Medical College, both in Nashville, TN.
As an eye surgeon in Nashville, TN, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 procedures, including on over 4,000 doctors. He has published over 100 papers, including one in the world-renowned journal Nature, as well as 10 ophthalmic textbooks
The Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, a 501c(3) non-profit charity founded by Dr. Wang, has helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and 55 countries worldwide, with all sight restoration surgeries performed free-of-charge.
As a co-founder of another 501c(3) non-profit organization, the Common Ground Network, Dr. Wang is dedicated to helping people find common ground and solutions to problems in order to achieve more success and happiness.
Dr. Wang has received numerous awards including the Honor Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Chinese American Physicians, an honorary doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, NPR’s Philanthropist of the Year Award, and Kiwanis Nashvillian of the Year Award for his lifetime dedication to helping blind orphan children from around the world.
Dr. Wang’s patients include music stars such as Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, Naomi Judd, and “Dancing with the Stars” pro, Julianne Hough.
Dr. Wang is the founding president of the Tennessee Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and co-founder of the Tennessee Immigrant and Minority Business Group.
Wang Vision Institute
Wang Vision Institute is pleased to be at the forefront of innovative vision correction procedures, for those with a diverse range of eye concerns. Dr. Ming Wang, a Harvard & MIT graduate who holds a doctorate degree in laser physics, uses his unrivaled experience and skill to lead their team and provide patients with revolutionary surgeries and treatments to improve their quality of vision, as well as their quality of life.
They have performed over 55,000 laser vision procedures, including on over 4,000 doctors, and have helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and 55 countries worldwide.
About Hello, Self…
Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.
Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.
The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.
Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!
She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.
Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.
Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.
Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…
She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.
On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.
She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.