Have you ever wondered what inspires a doctor and cancer researcher to do their job? Do you want to know how your donations help researchers achieve great possibilities for their patients?
Doctor Goodheart, an inspiring Oncologist and cancer researcher at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, gave me the opportunity to ask him a couple of questions.
What made you decide you wanted to become a doctor?
I was initially drawn to medicine because of my interest in chemistry and biology. I thought it would be interesting to study the basic science and biology behind the workings of medicine, and it interested me to use science in a way to benefit people.
What led you into the field of Gynecologic Oncology?
I would say the diversity and interaction with patients within the specialty of Gynecologic Oncology. We have the privilege of seeing patients during a very difficult and trying time in their life, when they have been diagnosed with a gynecologic malignancy, and this allows us to really interact with and get to know patients very well. The ability to operate on someone is a privilege and to help them through surgery and chemotherapy is very rewarding. The challenges of taking care of a patient with a gynecologic malignancy are incredible. Most of our patients are older, have complex medical problems, and then, layered on top of that, a malignancy that requires an operation and most often additional treatment, so being able to take care of patients with complex medical problems at a very difficult time in their life is incredibly rewarding.
What led you into researching and trying to find various cures for cancer? Why do you do research?
During my fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, I began to realize that there were a limited number of patients with advanced stage disease that we could truly cure by doing surgery and administering chemotherapy. I became very interested in how newer therapies came into existence and wanted to be a part of trying to identify newer ways to treat the different gynecologic cancers that I saw; for example, identifying novel pathways or new targets for drug therapy interested me. I also felt this was a way that I could contribute to future patients, in addition to doing surgery on current patients, with gynecologic cancer.
What fascinates you the most in your field?
The most fascinating aspect of my field is the interaction with patients and the potential for identifying new ways to treat and alleviate the suffering in patients with gynecologic cancer. I feel there is a cure for many of the cancers that are presently affecting patients, and it is fascinating to try to figure this out on a molecular level and then apply this to a patient care setting.
What motivates you/drives you in your career?
The patients are what motivate me to continue to work and try to identify better therapies. Seeing patients in clinic, interacting with them and their families and trying to make their lives better is very rewarding. Bad outcomes are unfortunately part of this job, but these bad outcomes are also part of the motivation and drive that helps me to continue to look for new and novel therapies for patients who are affected by gynecologic cancer.
What do you like most about working within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center?
The collaboration among physicians, basic scientists and all healthcare workers collectively working to try to achieve a common goal is the thing that I most like about working within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The collegial nature of the Cancer Center, the openness in which investigators share their results and collaborate is unsurpassed. The support I have personally received from the Cancer Center when I began my career was incredible, not only financial support but also the collegial atmosphere and social support to continue to encourage one in an endeavor that is oftentimes fraught with setbacks. For example, many, many things that are done in the laboratory don’t initially work on the first try, and the ability to talk to other investigators to try to solve those problems and the encouragement I received from them when I began my career, and still do receive from them currently, is a very important aspect of working in the Cancer Center.
What do you feel are your most considerable accomplishments?
I consider my most considerable accomplishment is establishing a translational research lab in addition to being an active clinician. For me, the interaction of clinical medicine and basic science research is of utmost importance and one that I feel will truly help to move the field of gynecologic cancer research forward. The ability to collaborate with multiple scientists within the basic sciences and then apply that knowledge to clinical specimens and clinical medicine is a very worthy endeavor. Being able to set up a research laboratory in addition to continuing to operate and see patients in clinic is something I am very happy I was able to accomplish, again with the help of the Cancer Center and multiple other people who supported me.
When a donor gives, how does this affect/help the research that you do?
The startup money that I received from donor contributions within the Cancer Center was invaluable. As a junior investigator when I began my career, I relied entirely on donor contributions that were given to the Cancer Center and then subsequently given to me to begin my laboratory and acquire the preliminary data necessary to apply for larger, NIH (National Institute of Health) grants. Without that initial donor contribution that was given to the Cancer Center, startup funds for junior investigators would not be possible, and, in turn, many very successful, senior investigators who are currently working now might not have had the opportunity to build their laboratories to the stature in which they are.
How did seed money help you get to where you are today?
The seed money that I received from the Cancer Center allowed me to hire a research assistant and to buy reagents necessary to do experiments. This in turn allowed me to acquire preliminary data that was required for larger grant applications. The seed money that I received from the Cancer Center was invaluable in helping me to establish my research career.
Do you find cancer patients inspiring? In what ways?
I absolutely find cancer patients to be inspiring. The resilience and drive our patients have and the hardships that they endure while still maintaining a positive attitude is absolutely incredible. Our patients are continually having to deal with physical pain and problems associated with surgery and receiving additional treatments in the forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and they also oftentimes receive bad news based on physical exam findings and CT findings when their cancer is either not responding to therapy or recurs. Even in light of this news and the physical problems they have our patients continue to maintain a positive approach to life and are an example for all of us to live by. The amount of difficulties our patients endure on a daily basis is incredible, and for them to continue to maintain a positive outlook on life and endure therapies and treatments that are physically and emotionally difficult to complete gives me great respect for all patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
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