December 3, 1999

Lisa Wong, MD, of MassGeneral Hospital for Children, is accustomed to working with a group of professionals who are focused, dedicated and determined to work together to get the right results. Not only is this true of her professional life in the MGH Milton Pediatrics practice, but it is also true in her personal life as a violinist for the Longwood Symphony Orchestra (LSO).

Known as the "Orchestra of Boston's Medical Community," the LSO is composed primarily of physicians, staff and students representing 18 Boston-area hospitals and three medical schools. The LSO was started in 1982 by a group of Harvard medical students who wanted to continue their musical interests while pursuing their medical careers.

Wong, who also is president of the LSO, has been performing with the group for 13 years along with five other MGHers: Ed Chen, MD, of MGH Anesthesia, who plays percussion; Mark Gebhardt, MD, of MGH Orthopædics, who plays the clarinet; Paul Nghiem, MD, of MGH Dermatology, who plays the violin; Susan Pauker, MD, director of the Genetics Clinic at the MGH, who plays the violin; and Lauren Peters of MGH Research, who plays the flute.

"We have a lot of fun practicing and performing together," says Wong. "It is similar to working with a very good medical team. Each member puts their ego aside to make everything work. Everyone here is very dedicated to the music. And inspired by our performances benefiting worthy causes, the musicians play their hearts out."

The LSO performs four concerts a year – all of which benefit local charity organizations. The winter concert, Dec. 4, 8 pm, at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, benefits the ALS Therapy Development Foundation, which helps support the research of Robert Brown, MD, an ALS researcher for the MGH Neuromuscular Research Lab. For tickets and information about future LSO concerts, call 332-7011 or visit the LSO website at www.longwoodsymphony.org.

Wong rehearses for an upcoming concert.