Oncologist makes career move to industry to help solve inequities in cancer care
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Neelima Denduluri, MD, moved from a large breast oncology practice and research in clinical trials to industry because she sought to expand her skill set and greaten her impact.
“I have always had an interest in global oncology and policy, and the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for better systems in medicine. My move to industry was spurred by wanting to learn new skills to help broaden access to care and help solve inequities in cancer care,” Denduluri, global clinical lead at AstraZeneca, told Healio in an interview for Women in Oncology’s “Women on the Move” series.
Denduluri spoke with Healio about what led her to move to industry from clinical practice and research leader, the mentors who have helped shaped her career along the way and her advice for early-career oncologists.
Healio: What prompted your move to industry from clinical practice and clinical trials research?
Denduluri: I loved every minute of patient care of the last 23 years and serving the greater oncology community, whether it was through research or guidelines, philanthropic work or quality improvement initiatives. However, I felt like the day-to-day patient care was becoming more and more clerical; I would spend a lot of my time ‘clicking boxes.’
I also wanted to embolden physicians to care appropriately for patients irrespective of geography or socioeconomic status, and have the tools in their toolbox to do this. I wanted to expand my skill set so that I could make a greater impact.
Industry also offered me a chance to learn the intricacies of drug development and dissemination, which are integral aspects of cancer care.
Healio: How did your career in oncology begin?
Denduluri: My formative years were split between a small town in Louisiana and a village in India. Disparities in medical care were evident in both localities, and I was very lucky to watch how my grandfather generously gave his time in his charitable care as a doctor in India. My dad, who is also a physician, did a lot for our small town in Louisiana, as well. I went to medical school in Louisiana in a medical system centered largely on charity care.
I had an incredible mentor who piqued my interest in oncology when he taught about chemotherapy drugs in a pharmacology class. I was immediately drawn to the evolving nature aspect of oncology therapy. Further, this professor was a very active clinical researcher — our first project together was to understand how well patients understand the information that doctors give them and what factors impact their comprehension. The take-home lesson is that it doesn’t matter what you are saying to patients but how much they are understanding, because the medicine only has the opportunity to provide therapeutic benefit if they are taking and tolerating the therapy. The discovery aspect of the field combined with my passion to awaken education for patients are what got me started in oncology.
The experiences of my grandfather and father together alerted me to the inequities in health care and the need for improvements, and the scientific discovery in oncology tied it all together for me.
Healio: Have you had mentors along the way who have helped to shape your career?
Denduluri: The same medical professor was an instrumental mentor who made sure that I was able to present our research at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium as a medical student. This opportunity early in my career brought me to the attention of top oncologists in the field. This is a brilliant example of effective mentorship.
Other mentors in residency and fellowship as well as peer mentors and sponsors have been helpful along the way.
Healio: What challenges have you faced in your career and how have you overcome them?
Denduluri: I have been very lucky to be a part of different medical organizations. One resounding challenge is the often-siloed systems and it’s a perpetual challenge to learn how to bridge each silo’s specific priority. The overarching goal to improve patient care globally make people realize that we all want the same thing in the end — to improve patient care. To overcome this challenge, it takes perseverance. I continue to believe that blurring the lines and real progress are possible.
Healio: What advice do you have for early-career oncologists?
Denduluri: Pay it forward and always remember the people who have helped you along the way. Unless you are ready to roll up the sleeve with your team, you cannot effectively lead. Be patient and collaborative. Share successes and credit with your colleagues, because we rise together. There is a lot of work to be done to improve health care globally, and we cannot do it alone.
For more information:
Neelima Denduluri, MD, can be reached at neelima.denduluri@astrazeneca.com.
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