As I reflect on my TEAM Oncology experience many general thoughts come to mind. Change, evolution of care, collegiality and collaboration to name merely a few. More personal memories are based on relationships, friendships and a common purpose, to care for those suffering with cancer. I am reminded that each of us brings some special gift(s) to the patient with cancer and his/her family. Whether it is skillful application of science and technology or the kindness of hu-man touch of compassion, communication and active listening, we complement each other in our caring attitudes.

So much in oncology has changed during my career as a breast cancer physician. Here are just a few examples for perspective (in relation to your future).
The description in 1967 of the estrogen receptor by Jensen, monoclonal antibody technology pioneer by Milstein and Kohler in the 1970’s, the clinical utility of estrogen receptor as both a predictive and prognostic factor by McGuire and Osborne in the 1980’s, the development of Me-ta-analysis of breast cancer data by the Early Breast Cancer Trialist’s Group in the mid 1980’s, the description of HER2/neu in the 1980’s and the subsequent description of its significance in breast cancer prognosis, the development of biologic therapy based on HER2/neu, the descrip-tion and significance of genetic predisposition to breast cancer (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2) in the 1990’s, changes in breast diagnostic imaging, breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy, chemo-prevention with endocrine therapy, and improving individual patient survival with adjuvant therapies. Quite a list for a forty year time frame. I encourage you to consider those scientific changes that have occurred during your careers and of interest for your practice. Add your favorites that have occurred during your practice lifetime to the list I have made for breast can-cer. Remember the need for continuous learning of the science of medicine as well as the hu-man dimensions of illness.

The future will require cancer care specialists to be continuous learners, diligent students of the SCIENCE of cancer and diligent efforts to maintain clinical competence in cancer care. Prepare yourselves! Set aside time to learn and grow in your profession. Be the best that I know you wish to be. Then you will have the greatest impact on your patients. Become a role model for colleagues, trainees and students. Make yourself the person they wish to emulate. Remember that your influence will continue long after your practice career.

Now, what will not change? Human beings! They will still seek relief from their personal suffer-ing. They will expect your best efforts to care for them selflessly and with the kindness of human touch and understanding. Think of the tenderness and compassion you have to share. Offer these to your patients and colleagues. Cherish the honor and privilege you have with these spe-cial clinical abilities to help heal. These few thoughts epitomize my TEAM Oncology experienc-es. Although Team Oncology alumni are separated by geography we are united in spirit of pur-pose. What joys, honors and obligations to the future of medicine are ours.

My professional career has changed course. I now serve as Medical Director for the MD Ander-son Physicians Network. I am a liaison for two of our Certified Member sites. We are working to encourage the MDAnderson method of multidisciplinary care in more communities in the US. Our focus is on evidence based, multidisciplinary care and the use of practice guideline to en-hance the quality of care in local communities throughout the US. These objectives are very similar to those of past TEAM Oncology efforts. It is a role I enjoy and which provides me career satisfaction. I continue to be active in Bioethics, teaching and providing advice and counsel to fellows and newer faculty. I enjoy reading philosophy, ethics and religion.