Robert A. Horn, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, is now seeing patients at
Texas Oncology–San Antonio Medical Center. Dr. Horn shares what working with cancer patients has taught him and his perfect day outside of work.
1. What has working with cancer patients taught you about resiliency of the human spirit?
Working with cancer patients has shown me the strength of patients and their families as they come together to support their loved ones. It’s very rewarding when I can provide my patients and their loved ones with good news. It makes it all worth it.
2. Describe a time when a patient's outcome exceeded expectations. What contributed to their successful treatment?
I remember one time I was caring for a patient who had metastatic lung cancer along with several complications from her disease. We were stuck between a rock and a hard place with her care because treatment for any one problem was likely to worsen her other conditions. I had a meeting with the rest of her care team where we created a comprehensive treatment plan that we felt would give her the best possible outcome while balancing any drawbacks. Fortunately, as a result of our team’s good communication, initiative, and unity, her treatment was successful.
3. What are the biggest challenges you face in your profession?
Staying up to date with the latest advances in cancer treatment and research is a job in itself. Through trial and error, as well as good mentorship, I have developed a routine of devoting a little bit of each day to reading articles most relevant to my patients to ensure I am delivering the best possible care.
4. What is your favorite musical genre and why?
This is a hard question! What I listen to depends on my mood; however, I do enjoy jazz. It’s the perfect background music for reading, working, or studying. I never get bored of it, and I discover new artists in the genre every time I listen.
5. What is one piece of advice you would give to your 18-year-old self?
I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. In medicine, it’s easy to settle into a goal-oriented mindset, focusing only on your next objective. However, if you live like this for too long, the world will pass you by. It has taken some time, but I have learned when to put other things aside and focus on what is happening right in front of me.
6. If you could go back in time, what historical event would you like to witness?
If I could go back in time, I would like to witness the first polymerase chain reaction, which is a laboratory technique we use often in oncology. It was discovered in the 1980s and eventually won a Nobel Prize in 1993. The biochemist who invented the process said that the concept came to him when he was driving late at night, and I think it would be interesting to witness the moment something so relevant in my field came to be.
7. What does a perfect day look like to you?
I am a big sports fan, specifically college football, so a perfect day for me is any day I can catch a UCF Knights game. Everything from tailgating to watching the game with my kids is absolute bliss. I attend at least one game a year, but it’s a personal goal of mine to see them play at every stadium on the road.