Breast Cancer Surgeon In Dallas Teaches The Importance Of Education
Dr. Roshni Rao is a surgeon who specializes in treating breast cancer. She earned her medical degree at University of Missouri at Columbia, completed her residency at Tufts University in Massachusetts, and her fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center. She practices at UT Southwestern Medical Center's Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas.
Rao likes taking care of people and wanted to make a difference in a person's life. At the tender age of four, Rao went around to her family members and gave them imaginary shots telling them that this will make them better. She knew she wanted to be a doctor and became the first physician in her family.
"I went to a state school and I felt the best way to give back is to help teach others," said Rao who is an Associate Professor for the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Rao is also the Chief of Staff at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. She teaches the next generation of physicians. "Whether they go into OB-GYN or psychiatry, we train them," said Rao.
"I enjoy teaching, helping patients, and doing research," said Rao. Many of her students have gone on to be top physicians in the country at leading medical centers all around the world.
"Breast cancer patients are very engaged, they know what they need to do to beat it. They are on board 100 percent. Many men who have prostate cancer don't want talk about it. But, breast cancer patients want to be involved, they want to do the walks, they want to do whatever they need to do to make sure they are around 50 years from now," said Rao about treating her breast cancer patients. "I enjoy pushing the envelope and took cancer patients that were overweight and obese had them work with a personal trainer. A personal trainer came to their home three times a week and worked with them while they were undergoing chemotherapy. The results were amazing," said Rao whose findings were published in the Journal of Breast Cancer. The chemotherapy and exercise group did better than the chemotherapy group alone.
Rao's advice for those returning to school: "Do what makes you fulfilled. If you enjoy serving people then medical school is the way to go. There are nights when I was sitting up all night studying and it was hard but worth it."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com