Radiation Oncology

When he was 14 years old and living in Kosovo in 1990, Dukagjin “Duke” Blakaj, MD, PhD, and his family were in a dangerous spot. Ethnic tensions were rising and the country seemed destined for civil war.  Dr. Blakaj’s parents, both physicians, decided to move the family to Connecticut. Eight years later, fighting erupted between…

Rachel Jimenez, MD, has spent much of the past decade serving the radiation oncology field by working as an ABR volunteer.  Her colleagues are happy that she finds the time despite a busy professional schedule.  “She has great insight into the academic process and has brought this knowledge to the ABR as she advocates for residents and early career physicians,” said Michael…

Three years into earning a chemical engineering degree at the University of Kansas, Ronald Chen, MD, MPH, took a sharp turn.  He paused his studies to spend a year volunteering at a hospice in North Carolina. The inspiration came when he attended a conference session hosted by a volunteer group from the facility.  “It made me realize that I was missing something and not doing exactly what I wanted,” Dr. Chen said.  Shortly after the conference, he packed…

By Jeff White I don’t like surprises. In May 2023, I felt a lump on the right side of my neck, so I made an appointment with a primary care physician. I wasn’t concerned, but the doctor asked about weight loss, night sweats, and other possible issues. I had none of those symptoms. I asked…

When he was in the eighth grade, John Fiveash, MD, knew he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. His plans were next level for a middle schooler. “I thought as an eighth grader that I might starve if I was a laboratory researcher,” Dr. Fiveash said. “I was worried about that. So I decided…