Jordan Toulouse Buess, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, is now seeing patients at Texas Oncology–Tyler. Dr. Buess shares how forming patient-physician relationships excites her when it comes to working in the medical field, as well as her passion for acting and singing.
Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor, specifically specializing in cancer care?
I recall telling people I wanted to be a doctor when I was as young as four years old. However, I would always add “or a Mary Kay representative,” because I thought the ladies were so beautiful and I really wanted a pink Cadillac. In second grade, I bought a book at the book fair about a person with cancer and decided right then that I wanted to be an oncologist. The journey was difficult, but with the help of my family, friends, and mentors, I’m finally living out my dream.
What has been a defining moment in your medical career?
Perhaps the most significant moment for me was failing an important test during medical school, because I wondered if I had what it takes to serve my patients well. I reached out, full of self-doubt, to an oncology mentor of mine, who warned, “You are in danger of forgetting who you are.” He reminded me that “failure is a faithful friend” that will be a part of nearly any journey involving growth, and that it doesn’t define me. I learned a new test preparation strategy, excelled on all future tests, and became a mentor to medical students (and later, residents and fellows) struggling in the same way. Overcoming that obstacle early on equipped me for bigger challenges later in my training.
What excites you most about working in the medical field?
The relationship with my patients excites me the most. It is such a privilege to earn their trust and be let into their lives in such a personal way. Whether we’re celebrating encouraging results or navigating a difficult path in their journey, I am thankful to walk with them every step of the way. I love that practicing medicine allows me to develop long-term relationships so I can get to know my patients and connect with them as individuals.
Where is your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
I’ve visited some amazing places, including Malawi, Africa, where my aunt and uncle were missionaries until their retirement, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where my brother was stationed in the Navy, and Northern Ireland, where I studied during my junior year in college. My favorite trip was with my husband and kids to Sky Ranch family camp in the mountains of Colorado. We went for the first time at the end of my fellowship training, and it will now be an annual tradition.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I’m a wife and mom. I exercise every morning with a close friend before work, and I spend as much time as I can in the evenings with my family. School and church activities keep us busy, but we love running 5Ks, visiting parks, pool time, game nights, playing with our goldendoodle, and spending time with both sets of my kids’ grandparents - one of our favorite reasons to be living in Tyler. In rare quiet moments, I love writing, reading fiction, or watching a thunderstorm roll in.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I love a good karaoke party! Acting and singing have always been among my favorite things to do, and once I’m more settled in my career, I’d love to be involved in community civic theater productions. I also fall asleep less than 10 seconds after my head hits the pillow. I’m not sure if that’s a talent or just the product of a rigorous training program and being a mom of four!
Are you a morning person or night owl?
I am a morning person. My alarm goes off at 4:40 every morning to allow for my morning workout. If I go see a movie in a theater at 7 p.m., chances are I’m asleep by the halfway point.