In this episode of the Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia welcome Paola Julve Navarro, a sixth-year medical student, to discuss professional wellbeing, resilience, and the journey of becoming a doctor. Paola shares her experiences and insights on balancing social, professional, personal, and spiritual aspects of life, and the importance of empathy and self-care in the medical field.

Keywords

professional wellbeing, resilience, medical student, empathy, self-care, oncology, medical education, burnout, personal growth, professional balance

Takeaways

•               Professional wellbeing rests on social, professional, personal, and spiritual pillars.

•               Burnout is common among medical students, but resilience can be strengthened.

•               Empathy and communication are key to reducing burnout and improving wellbeing.

•               Opportunities often need to be created rather than waited for.

•               Supporting others doesn't always mean having answers, but being present.

•               Self-awareness and adaptability are crucial for maintaining balance.

•               Compassionate care involves active listening and understanding without judgment.

•               Personal growth often requires stepping out of comfort zones.

•               Professional success doesn't require sacrificing personal life.

•               Finding joy in the medical profession is essential for long-term resilience.

Sound bites

•               "Professional wellbeing is like a table with four legs."

•               "Burnout is a turning point for many students."

•               "Empathy is not a weakness, it's a tool."

•               "Opportunities don't always come, sometimes you create them."

•               "Supporting others means being present, not having answers."

•               "Compassionate care involves active listening."

•               "Personal growth requires stepping out of comfort zones."

•               "Professional success doesn't mean sacrificing personal life."

•               "Finding joy in medicine is essential."

•               "Resilience can be strengthened through mindfulness."

In this episode of the Open Doors podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Vilma Pacheco Barcia explore the multifaceted themes of success, leadership, and emotional wellbeing in the field of oncology. They discuss the importance of compassionate leadership, the unique definitions of success for individuals in the field, and the critical role of mentorship and support for both patients and caregivers. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and emotional intelligence in healthcare, as well as the significance of quality improvement in enhancing patient care. Looking ahead, they express excitement for future episodes that will delve deeper into these topics and feature diverse voices in the oncology community.

Takeaways

Success in oncology is not just about publications and grants.

Individual definitions of success are deeply personal.

Compassionate leadership improves patient care and staff resilience.

Mentorship is essential for career development in oncology.

Emotional intelligence is crucial in patient consultations.

Self-care practices are necessary to prevent burnout.

Support for caregivers is vital in the patient care process.

Quality improvement should be a focus in healthcare.

The podcast aims to bring diverse voices into the conversation.

Future episodes will explore leadership and mentorship further.

Keywords

oncology, leadership, wellbeing, mentorship, compassionate care, success, emotional intelligence, quality improvement, healthcare, patient support

Sound bites

"What does success really mean in oncology?"

"Success is deeply personal and unique."

"We need to prioritize self-care."

In this episode of Open Doors, Drs. Ioanna and Vilma Podcast, Dr. VilmaPacheco-Barcia and Dr. Ioanna Nixon engage with Professor Fabrice André, a leading figure in oncology, discussing his journey into medicine, the balance between research and patient care, and the role of ESMO in shaping the futureof cancer care. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy in oncology, the challenges of equity in cancer care, and the need for mentorship for young oncologists.

Key Takeaways:

Curiosity drives the pursuit of knowledge in oncology.

Balancing research with patient care is essential.

ESMO plays a crucial role in global oncology leadership.

Empathy is vital in translating data to patient care.

Young oncologists need mentorship to navigate their careers.

Digital transformation can enhance patient care.

Equity in cancer care is a pressing global issue.

De-escalation trials can improve quality of life forpatients.

The patient experience should inform clinical research.

AI can help oncologists manage overwhelming data.Keywords

oncology, breast cancer, precision medicine, ESMO, patientcare, empathy, equity, research, leadership, clinical trials

In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Nicky Thorp, we turn our focus fully to wellbeing and leadership — exploring how the culture of medicine is evolving to better support those who deliver care. As Co-lead for Wellbeing at the Royal College of Radiologists and incoming Vice-President for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Thorp offers a clear-eyed view of what it takes to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for clinicians.

She speaks openly about the realities of stress and responsibility in oncology, and why the goal isn’t to eliminate pressure but to make space for honesty, reflection, and shared humanity. We discuss how leaders can model vulnerability, foster psychological safety, and help colleagues navigate uncertainty without losing connection to their purpose.

This episode also features a rapid-fire reflection round, where Dr. Thorp shares the quotes that guide her, the lessons she hopes to pass on, and the personal practices that keep her grounded in demanding times.

Part 2 is both practical and hopeful — an invitation to think about wellbeing not as an afterthought but as a cornerstone of excellent care. Whether you lead teams, train future clinicians, or simply want to sustain your own energy in a demanding field, this conversation offers inspiration and tools to carry forward.

In this episode of Open Doors, we sit down with Dr. Nicky Thorp, consultant clinical oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, whose career has been devoted to paediatric radiotherapy and proton beam therapy. With decades of clinical and leadership experience — including serving as Medical Director for Professional Practice at the Royal College of Radiologists and now Co-lead for Wellbeing — Dr. Thorp brings a steady, thoughtful perspective to the realities of cancer care.

Together, we explore what it means to care in a field that asks so much of its clinicians. Dr. Thorp reflects on the unique challenges and rewards of working with children and young people, and the trust built through small, repeated moments of presence. We look beyond the technology of radiotherapy to the human environment that surrounds it — the teamwork, preparation, and emotional scaffolding that help patients and families navigate a demanding process with courage and dignity.

Responsibility is a recurring theme, as Dr. Thorp shares what it feels like to hold decisions that are both technically exacting and deeply personal. She offers insight into how she approaches uncertainty, maintains clarity under pressure, and sustains the discipline needed to keep showing up day after day.

In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Mark Lewis, we explore the human side of medicine beyond clinical expertise. A respected Medical Oncologist and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Intermountain Healthcare, Dr. Lewis shares his insights on mentorship, medical leadership, and fostering resilience in an emotionally demanding field.

We dive into the role of communication as a form of leadership—how clarity, care, and example-setting guide both patients and the next generation of clinicians. Dr. Lewis reflects on how medicine’s culture is evolving, from breaking silence around burnout and vulnerability to supporting honest conversations about impostor syndrome and self-care.

Wellbeing emerges as a central theme: from personal rituals to the grounding influence of family, he shares practical strategies for protecting emotional health while leading with both mind and heart. In a rapid-fire reflection segment, he offers candid insights on empathy, inspiration, and the moments in his career that make all the challenges worthwhile.

This episode is a reminder that the heart of medicine lies in connection—between colleagues, between doctor and patient, and within ourselves. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, mentorship, and sustaining wellbeing in the high-stakes world of oncology.

In this episode of Open Doors with Drs. Ioanna and Vilma, we are joined by Dr. Mark Lewis, a widely respected Medical Oncologist and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Intermountain Healthcare. Dr. Lewis is not only a leader in his field, specializing in young-onset cancers, hereditary cancer syndromes, and neuroendocrine tumors, but also someone who brings a profoundly personal perspective to the art of care—having experienced cancer as a son, a patient, and a physician.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Dr. Lewis shares his deeply human journey, reflecting on how early experiences with his father’s illness and his own life-changing surgery shaped his approach to medicine and leadership. We explore what it truly means to care for patients with empathy, to navigate the delicate balance between honesty and hope, and to communicate complex science in ways that empower rather than overwhelm.

This episode illuminates the intersection of science and humanity, showing how personal experience can deepen professional insight. Dr. Lewis’s reflections offer guidance for physicians, caregivers, and anyone seeking to bring compassion, clarity, and presence into their work.

Dr. Mark Lewis also shares:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10887480/

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on empathy, resilience, and the profound impact of living and leading with heart in oncology.

In Part 2 of our inspiring conversation with Dr. Teresa Amaral on Open Doors with Drs. Ioanna and Vilma, we dive into the heart of what sustains us as oncology professionals: wellbeing, mentorship, resilience, empowerment, and the often-underestimated power of physical activity.

Dr. Amaral brings her authentic voice and leadership experience to a discussion that feels both practical and deeply personal. We explore how structured mentorship programmes can shape not just careers but identities—offering a space for guidance, support, and growth. She shares her own experience in mentoring young oncologists and fostering inclusive leadership through her work with ESMO.

We also talk candidly about professional wellbeing—how to maintain a sense of purpose and balance in high-pressure environments, and why resilience is more about connection and reflection than pushing through at any cost.

A powerful and uplifting part of our conversation focuses on physical activity as a form of empowerment—not just for physical health, but for mental clarity, emotional strength, and a renewed sense of agency. Whether it’s a short walk or structured training, movement becomes a metaphor for forward momentum.

Dr. Amaral leaves us a powerful message to not take anything for granted: "This too shall pass".

Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of how we can build meaningful, empowered careers—grounded in mentorship, movement, and self-compassion.

In this inspiring episode of Open Doors with Drs. Ioanna and Vilma, we’re joined by Dr. Teresa Amaral, a board-certified Medical Oncologist and internationally recognised leader in translational melanoma research. Currently based at the renowned Skin Cancer Center in Tuebingen, Germany, Dr. Amaral brings a wealth of clinical, scientific, and leadership experience to our conversation.

In Part 1 of our discussion, Dr. Amaral shares her deeply thoughtful perspective on compassionate leadership, drawing from her rich journey across borders and institutions. We explore how kindness, clarity, and vision can transform teams and energise the next generation of oncologists. With characteristic warmth, she also speaks to the importance of networking, building genuine collaborations, and reaching out beyond comfort zones to create lasting impact.

Resilience emerges as a central theme—how we nurture it in ourselves, and how we foster it in others. Whether you're early in your career or navigating complex leadership roles, Dr. Amaral’s reflections offer both practical tools and heartfelt encouragement for growing with purpose in global oncology.

Her message is clear: Compassionate leadership isn’t soft—it’s powerful. It builds trust, opens doors, and creates spaces where people can truly thrive.

Tune in for an energising conversation on leadership, connection, and the transformative power of working together in medicine.

We are truly honored to welcome Dr. Sergio Cifuentes Canaval, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) IDEA Awardee 2025, to the podcast. In this thoughtful conversation, we dive into the emotional and professional journey of an oncologist navigating residency and the early years of his career in Latin America.

In Medicine, challenges are often part of the path — not always chosen, not always fair, and not always with clear answers. But sometimes, simply facing them can lead to unexpected shifts in how we see ourselves and the world.

Dr. Cifuentes opens up about the intense pressures and burnout he faced during residency, what helped him find balance again, and how these experiences shaped his commitment to supporting both patients and fellow healthcare professionals across Latin America. As an ASCO IDEA Award recipient, he highlights the importance of staying proactive—opening doors, embracing challenges, and getting involved—as essential tools for both personal and professional growth.

Through a deeply personal lens, we explore how embracing challenges in Medicine and beyond can open space for learning, connection, and resilience.

He leaves us with a message that is simple yet deeply powerful:
“Take the challenge, face the challenge, and walk through the challenge.”

Tune in for a heartfelt, honest, and empowering conversation that reminds us all of the strength that can emerge when we choose to keep walking forward—one step at a time.

#Residency #ProfessionalWellbeing #Resilience #Oncology #LatinAmericaHealthcare #ASCOIDEA