For Angela Ellis (DO鈥� 25), there鈥檚 much to be thankful for this year.
In the classroom, she was learning how to care for future patients. Outside of the classroom, she was receiving treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
鈥淵ou hear about it, and you know people who have cancer, but you don鈥檛 think you鈥檙e ever going to get it,鈥� said Ellis. 鈥淓specially at 27 years old.鈥�
While breast cancer most often occurs in women , its more aggressive form impacts those at a . Something Ellis has experienced herself and witnessed firsthand with her patients.
鈥淥n the first day of my hematology/oncology rotation, I saw a 22-year-old who was also diagnosed with TNBC,鈥� Ellis shared.
鈥淭he doctor and I were with her, and she was so scared. I was able to say, 鈥業 know
what you鈥檙e going through,鈥欌�� she recalled as her voice broke. 鈥溾�業鈥檓 going through
it too.鈥欌��
Ellis underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction in May, took her board exams in June (and passed), and began chemotherapy in July.
On September 15th, she rang the bell, signifying the end of her treatment.
鈥淚t was really special for me to ring the bell on that day,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause it was the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.鈥�
Breast cancer is the .
A lack of representation in medical research, combined with language barriers and cultural beliefs, puts the Hispanic/Latina population at a greater disadvantage.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 see a lot of Hispanic and Latino oncologists,鈥� Ellis shares. 鈥淏eing a Latina
physician who has gone through cancer and would serve patients in that aspect is a
big drive for me, which is why I continue to work hard.鈥�
Having finished her treatment, Ellis is still on track to graduate with her class. While she鈥檚 determined to complete her medical school journey, it鈥檚 not the only one she鈥檚 on.
鈥淚鈥檝e taken a step back and realized that having a family, living life, and doing fun things matter to me. I don鈥檛 want to die tomorrow and think all I did was study and work,鈥� she said.
鈥淲hen life isn鈥檛 in your own hands anymore, you really do end up appreciating it more.鈥�
Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥� approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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