In this episode of Empowering Oncologists, host Dr. Jasmine Kamboj sits down with Dr. Erika Ruiz Garcia, Professor of the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Chief Academic Officer and Chief of the Translational Medicine Laboratory at Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in Mexico City.
They discuss Dr. Garcia’s professional journey in oncology, the realities of cancer care in low- and middle-income countries, and the importance of mentorship, resilience and humanistic approach in the improvement of patient care.
Key Points:
- The global challenges of cancer care – disparities in access, infrastructure, and resources
- Why being a great physician requires more than medicine the importance of culture, empathy, and humanism
- Dr. Garcia’s international training experience and how global exposure shapes better oncologists
- Embracing unexpected career paths, transitioning from breast oncology to GI oncology