Dr. Ling’s distinctive last name often sparks curiosity about his heritage. He proudly shares that his father’s family immigrated from Ireland via Canada, while his maternal grandparents were both from Poland. And yes, English is his primary (and only) language!

Dr. Ling grew up in the Birmingham/Troy area north of Detroit and graduated from Birmingham Seaholm High School. A lifelong Michigan Wolverine fan, he earned a degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He went on to complete medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit and pursued postgraduate training at Royal Oak Beaumont, dedicating all three years to mastering adult healthcare.

Northern Michigan has always held a special place in Dr. Ling’s heart. His family spent many summers at their cabin on Big Bear Lake near Johannesburg, and during his courtship with his wife, Mary, the couple often camped near Sleeping Bear Dunes.

After completing his training, Dr. Ling accepted his first and only interview with the Burns Clinic in Petoskey, where he was immediately offered a position. He practiced traditional Internal Medicine in Petoskey for 20 years before transitioning to hospital-based care, serving patients at Munson, McLaren, Charlevoix, and several other regional hospitals for approximately seven years. Most recently, he spent eight years practicing outpatient Internal Medicine at Charlevoix Primary Care.

Dr. Ling finds the challenges of medicine deeply rewarding, describing it as a series of puzzles or brainteasers. Patients present with a variety of signs and symptoms, and his goal is to arrive at a unifying diagnosis. A natural thinker, he thrives on this intellectual aspect of his work.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Ling enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, and their three adult children. In 2024, they welcomed their first grandchild, Wesley, into the family. Passionate about Springer Spaniels, their most recent addition is Finnegan. Dr. Ling stays active with hobbies including golfing, biking, hiking, boating, kayaking, skiing, woodworking, home improvement projects, and reading—though he admits his interests are “too many, really!”