Biography

David Robbins Tien was born in Philadelphia. His father, from Beijing, China and his mother from Bristol, England met as students in the United States after World War II. His father’s family included high officials from the Qing Dynasty and Republican Period.

After high school, he lived with his paternal grandparents, then in exile in Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and learned Mandarin at the Taiwan Normal University’s Mandarin Center. Returning to Michigan State University he studied political science while also completing the pre-medical curriculum. After graduation, he studied at Peking University just as the United States and China were re-establishing diplomatic relations.

He returned to the University of Michigan following his year at Peking University, receiving his M.D. in 1983. He then spent two years after his internship in the National Health Service Corps as a general practitioner in Puerto Rico and became fluent in Spanish. Following his time in Puerto Rico, he completed residency training in ophthalmology at New York University and a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1990, he settled in Rhode Island, joining the faculty at Brown University Medical School and serving as chief of pediatric ophthalmology for 18 years. 

During his medical career, he made many trips to China and was a visiting professor at Peking University Eye Center, among other institutions. In addition to receiving the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus’s Honor Award, he also received the Chinese Ophthalmologic Society’s Gold Medal Award for his contributions to the development of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in China.

He and his wife’s purchase of a Federal Period house in Providence led to their serious collecting of antiques, which revealed the China Trade origins of many early American fortunes. 

Tennis has been another lifelong passion. He played varsity tennis at Michigan State and in his senior years has won three United States National Championships and also represented Great Britain in the World Championships.

He believes in the Confucian admonition that one should strive to: Establish a career, build a high reputation and make a contribution to society. 立業， 立名，立功