Robert L. Coleman, M.D., FACOG, FACS, is now seeing patients at Texas Oncology–The Woodlands. He shares his perspective on innovations in cancer treatments and clinical trials.
What excites you most about joining an organization like Texas Oncology?
Joining the long tradition of bringing expert clinical care to the community setting.
Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor, specifically an oncologist?
Doctor – yes. Oncologist – no. But as I frequently say, I got here as soon as I could. I felt the first pull into oncology in my fourth year of medical school during the various clinical rotations. However, it was solidified during my residency at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, under the careful mentorship of my gynecologic oncology attendings.
I’m also so grateful to all the patients over the years that have generously helped themselves and others by participating in controlled clinical trials. They are the real heroes.”
What are you most proud of when you reflect on your medical career to date?
I’m most proud of being a part of the narrative that has brought new surgical techniques to our specialty, training methodologies for young physicians, and new drugs to the clinic for our patients. I’m also so grateful to all the patients over the years that have generously helped themselves and others by participating in controlled clinical trials. They are the real heroes.
What are you most looking forward to as cancer treatment continues to evolve?
Implementing true precision medicine for patients. Precision medicine is a type of highly personalized targeted therapy based on a patient’s genetics. This strategy is more than matching drugs with tumor deficits, it’s aligning intrinsic patient characteristics, tumor dynamics, and real-time monitoring to optimize outcomes and tolerance for individualized therapy for those with the disease, and prevention for those at risk.
Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
“Research cures cancer.” I’ve borrowed this motto for decades and quote it frequently in my discussions with patients and colleagues at educational and research meetings. It puts the investigation of new approaches, agents, and activities front and center in the mission to eliminate cancer. It reminds me to keep challenging the standard of care and to use a careful methodology to achieve the next best option.