Oncologist, hematologist and internist
Coastal Cancer Center
Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field.
In any profession, relationships and relationship-building are essential – and health care is no exception. I encourage women entering the field to seek out mentors and invest in those relationships; mentorship can be deeply rewarding both for the mentee and the mentor. Throughout my own career, I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors from whom I’ve learned invaluable lessons. I continue to value these relationships and seek out their guidance to this day. It’s important to surround yourself with supportive and encouraging colleagues who will help you grow, inspire confidence and celebrate your successes along the way.
What is one obstacle you hope future women in health never have to face?
I hope future generations of women in health never have to question whether their voice carries the same weight as their male counterparts. Early in my career, there were times when confidence had to be paired with constant proof of credibility. I have been encouraged, however, to see this changing in recent years. When I look around boardrooms in which I sit and at the presidents of our professional societies, I see more women in leadership roles than ever before. My hope is that this progress continues and that women are recognized and valued equally for their expertise, leadership and perspective.
How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today?
I was fortunate early in my career to be surrounded by leaders who were supportive, encouraging and genuinely invested in my growth. Their confidence in me helped shape my approach to leadership and re-inforced the importance of creating opportunities for others. My journey has been one of continuous learning – balancing patient care, organizational leadership and advocacy for community oncology. Along the way, I’ve learned that effective leadership is rooted in collaboration, transparency and a commitment to building strong teams. I strive every day to pay forward the mentorship and trust that were extended to me and to foster the same kind of supportive environment for the next generation of health care leaders.
If you could change one thing about health care, what would it be?
It would be to reduce the administrative and regulatory burdens that distract from what truly matters – taking care of patients. Too often, physicians and care teams are weighed down by complex systems and policies that pull focus away from the human side of medicine. I would love to see a more streamlined, patient-centered approach that allows clinicians to spend more time building relationships, providing compassionate care and advancing innovation in their communities.
