Oncology fellows urged to nurture curiosity throughout training

Megan Dupuis, an early-career oncology faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, shares a story from a rural clinic visit where a patient’s personal background – a one-room schoolhouse, a dislike for potatoes, and a talent for cooking – left a strong impression on her.

She argues that while mastering clinical data and delivering equitable care are essential, the small, human details of a patient’s life provide the deepest sense of purpose for oncologists.

Dupuis encourages oncology fellows to keep both personal and professional curiosity alive during training, suggesting that this mindset enriches the practice of oncology beyond the disease itself.