What kind of profession are you in and how did you get into this line of work?
I am gynecologic oncologist with Texas Oncology–Austin Central and Texas Oncology–South Austin. Gynecologic oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating gynecologic malignancies, or cancers that originate from female reproductive organs. An interesting aspect of gynecologic oncology unique to this subspecialty of cancer care is that we are trained to provide two of the three main modalities of treatment – surgery and chemotherapy. We also work with radiation oncologists to provide the third modality (radiation) if and when appropriate. This I believe makes our physician-patient relationships very special and unique.
I chose a career in obstetrics and gynecology after an experience I had just prior to starting medical school. I volunteered for six months in India with an organization that provided aid to women who were sex trafficking victims. This experience helped shape the direction of my career. Women’s health soon became my calling because it was important to me to be an advocate for this population. During residency, I rotated through the oncology service and reflected on my time with these patients, realizing the impact they had made on my life. From that humbling experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of sensitivity, compassion, and dignity when working with people in vulnerable situations.
Being a gynecologic oncologist gives me the unique opportunity to foster lifelong relationships and care for women fighting cancer through treatment and support services. It is not only an enriching field of practice, but also a challenging one – both attributes I found to be essential in choosing a career path.
What sets you apart from others in your field?
I recently completed fellowship training at the University of Miami in Miami, Fla, where I learned about the full range of gynecologic cancer care including surgery, chemotherapy, palliative care, and counseling. Our training experience was very clinically robust, and I gained exposure to all surgical modalities including open, robotic, and laparoscopic surgery. Most importantly, we worked with a diverse, multi-cultural population in a variety of practice and hospital settings which I believe prepared me for any post-training environment.
I also completed residency training in Austin and returned to start my career at Texas Oncology in partnership with physicians who were and continue to be my mentors, which is very special and exciting.
What inspires you in your career?
Apart from the relationships I develop with my patients and the challenges I encounter daily, I find this field to be surgically and medically complex. Oncology is incredibly fascinating. There is so much depth to it, so much uncharted territory. Its dynamic and evolving nature strengthens one’s spirit of inquiry, which I feel is important to making advances and substantial contributions in the field. I also find the interdisciplinary approach and daily collaboration with colleagues very stimulating.
The passion my mentors exhibit undoubtedly played a significant role in fostering my adoration for the field as well. Good teachers motivate students as they are developing skills and aspiring towards goals. I hope to be a leader in the same way while continuing to grow and learn.
What career advice would you offer others considering this profession?
The advice I would give young men and women, especially those pursuing a career in medicine and a specialty such as gynecologic oncology, is to really love your job and have a passion for what you do. It is this passion that drives us; and when you work hard, it is important to be able to feel a sense of purpose and joy.
While finding compassion for patients, it is also important that we find compassion and balance for ourselves. Spend time with your families and do the things you love because we never know what life may have in store for us.
What do women need to know about evaluating their risk and screening for gynecologic cancers?
I often notice that women see gynecologists during child-bearing years, but many stop scheduling annual exams and screenings after their families are complete. As it pertains to cancer screening and risk evaluation, this is the most important time to seek care as cancer risk only increases with age. Ensuring you have an annual appointment with your gynecologist is critical to early detection and saving lives.
There are five main types of gynecologic cancers: ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. Some symptoms of gynecologic cancers include persistent pelvic pain or pressure, feeling full too fast, persistent bloating, and unusual vaginal bleeding (especially any bleeding after menopause). It is imperative to seek care with a gynecologist if one experiences these symptoms.
Some gynecologic cancers such as uterine and ovarian types can be associated with a woman’s genetic predisposition. Women with strong personal or family histories can discuss genetic risk evaluation with their physicians and implement risk reduction strategies if genetic predispositions for gynecologic cancers are found through testing.
If you could give women one piece of advice or information that would help them in relationship to the work you do, what would it be?
Know that we are on your team! Our job is to educate patients about what is going on with their physical bodies when afflicted with these cancers and help them understand how to treat the disease. It is important that patients also advocate for themselves and ask questions during conversations about their care plans. That dialogue between a physician and patient is invaluable and helps foster a better relationship that often results in better outcomes.
Read the full story at The Jewish Outlook.