For this month's DEI Spotlight interview, Dr. De Jesus Sanchez interviewed PGY2 Radiology Resident, Dr. Vanessa Peters, to discuss her path to radiology.
Tell us a bit about yourself (where you grew up and what influenced your decision to go into medicine)
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with parents from Kerala, India. As the child of immigrant parents, I felt a responsibility to work hard and do something meaningful with my life to justify the sacrifices they made to give me a simple life. While I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, I knew I wanted to become a doctor, and I’ve always looked up to people in healthcare. Watching my mom’s career evolve from being a neonatal nurse to taking on a leadership role in healthcare policy was a major influence on me—she’s a boss-lady. The more I matured in medicine, the more grateful and confident I’ve become in the path my life has taken.
Why did you choose Radiology?
I always found medical physics and math to be the most interesting, satisfying, and challenging aspects of medicine. This led me to pursue radiation oncology during most of medical school, where I focused my research on radiation toxicities from brachytherapy in the eye. While I enjoyed the research, I realized that the day-to-day clinical work of a radiation oncologist wasn't a good fit. Halfway through the M3 year, I attended our medical school's only lecture by a radiologist, which touched on the basics of MRI physics. I was completely fascinated by the topic, and the more I dove into radiology, the more impressed I became with how far medical technology has come. I realized that it would take an entire career to understand everything I wanted to about this field, and thus the decision made itself.
As a future Radiologist training at a prestigious institution, what advice would you give to medical students to boost their academic and professional opportunities?
The following is going to sound very cliche, but it’s true: Trust in your intuition and the correct doors will open for you. Approach everyone you meet, both in and outside of work, with an open mind to learn and understand. Don't be afraid to reach out to people, the worst they can do is ignore you and you are in the same boat you started in. And have fun in the process :)
D&I Council Attending Spotlight: Dr. Vanessa Peters
