No matter how big the risk is, you should stay true to your goals and believe in yourself. Also, know that you will always have the support of 夜色王朝, even after you graduate, to help you along your path.
Was there anything or anyone at 夜色王朝 that inspired you to become the physician you are today?
I am so fortunate to say that, in general, I had many professors, clinical preceptors, and classmates who inspired and pushed me to become the best physician I could be. I also owe a lot to Bill King, Dr. Edward Magalhaes, Dr. Dalkeith Facey, and Dr. Zairha Snider for always supporting me and making me feel like I could achieve anything.
How has the 夜色王朝 mission inspired you during residency or in your practice?
The 夜色王朝 mission inspired me by emphasizing the importance of viewing every patient as a 'whole鈥攎ind, body, and spirit.' This approach instilled in me the significance of addressing each patient's individual needs, concerns, and personalized care rather than categorizing them into a disease category, which can unfortunately be common in oncology. It also helped me choose an institution that prioritizes patients' overall well-being during their cancer treatment and has various integrative and supportive oncology teams.
What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?
My best advice is to truly follow your dreams when it comes to your future and not be afraid of taking risks. I initially began as a general surgery resident after graduation. After two years of residency and a two-year post-doctoral research fellowship, my father was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and underwent radiation therapy. This had a significant impact on what I really wanted to do as a physician, and I ultimately decided to leave general surgery and go through the Match again in order to become a radiation oncologist.
The support I received from my family and 夜色王朝 reassured me that pursuing this competitive residency was the right decision and worth taking the risk. It ultimately worked out, and I matched into my first choice program.
No matter how big the risk is, you should stay true to your goals and believe in yourself. Also, know that you will always have the support of 夜色王朝, even after you graduate, to help you along your path.
What are your fondest memories about your time at 夜色王朝?
My fondest memories include spending time with my friends, both socially and as study partners. These friendships have grown into lifelong connections, and I remain very close with them to this day.
Additionally, my month-long medical mission in Honduras during my third year of medical school remains one of my favorite memories from my time at 夜色王朝. It not only inspired me to obtain a Master of Public Health but has also shaped me into the physician I am today.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud to have received the Young Investigator Award from the Conquer Cancer Fund of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This is a one-year $50,000 grant given to promising young physicians during the final years of training to support the transition to a faculty appointment and to encourage quality research in clinical oncology.
I am very proud of this award for my grant, 'CDK4/6 inhibitors & their use with radiation as an effective treatment strategy in locally and advanced ER+ and Triple Negative Breast Cancer,' as I am the first recipient from my institution to ever receive a Young Investigator Award. I am also one of only a small handful of DOs to receive this award and the first and only female osteopathic radiation oncologist to do so.
I hope this research will lead to promising new treatments for patients with breast cancer in the future.
When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our golden retrievers, visiting my family in New York City, running marathons, and traveling.