Worta McCaskill-Stevens, M.D., M.S.
Dr. McCaskill-Stevens is Program Director of the Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program, NCI's network for physicians conducting cancer prevention and treatment clinical trials at hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices in communities with significant minority populations.
Dr. McCaskill-Stevens received her M.D. degree and completed an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University, followed by a medical oncology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.
Worta McCaskill-Stevens, M.D.
What got you interested in doing research?
I always had a curiosity about science, but, when I went into medicine, I had no idea that I was going to end up where I am. My idea of medicine as a career was that I would exclusively be seeing patients. I thought I would probably end up working in a small town somewhere, but, after college, I worked for a couple of years as a medical writer and editor before going to medical school. That's when I began to investigate research, and, when I took graduate classes in New York, I was introduced to the process of research and I developed develop a passion for answering questions.
Once in medical school, did you seek out a mentor to help you down the research path or did you continue in a more traditional clinical path?
Where I attended medical school, we had very good mentors, but it really started much earlier than that. I'm proud to say my first grade teacher came to my medical school graduation! I think it's really important to be in an environment where people tell you that you can do whatever it is that you want to do.
How did you get interested in cancer research?
Again, that came from my time working as a writer; I was really interested then in gynecologic oncology. When I went to medical school, I had a shift and got interested in breast cancer.
Can you talk a bit about your work in breast cancer disparities?
Well, as a citizen, I am definitely interested in health disparities, but my official interest started when I was on faculty in medical oncology as a co-director of the Breast Center. I was approached by one of the NCI-sponsored research oncology groups to participate in a "think tank" about how to increase minority participation in clinical trials. One of the things I got involved in very early on was trying to engage minority physicians in cancer research. The continuum of breast cancer care provides an excellent model for the introduction of clinical trials to minority patients and their health care providers.
Have you seen more awareness and attention about the issue of disparities since then?
I definitely think the field has expanded; it now takes into consideration biology, policy, and a whole spectrum of issues. It's important to keep in mind that one person, one discipline, or one type of researcher can't do it all. Each person brings his or her own expertise to the table, and, working together, we can find the answers to the questions.
So at this point, are you still doing research or are you in more of an administrative role?
I do both! I was a clinical researcher, and now I'm overseeing programs, but it's been my clinical experience that has allowed me to be able to do that. For example, I was the program director for the large breast cancer prevention trial, the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene [STAR].
You were in academic medicine at Indiana University before coming to NCI. What brought you here?
It was a very difficult decision to leave the university environment. Such career decisions usually involve factors related to family, location, and your personal visions about many aspects of life. In addition to these factors, I knew that NCI would allow me to be close to research areas for which I have passion. I think it's important to realize, however, that career changes and career growth are often painful, but ultimately very rewarding.
What advice would you pass on to a med student who was interested in research?
I would say, "Explore a lot of different areas." Even if, for instance, you want to do orthopedics, step outside of that a little bit while you're in training. Ask questions about the research evidence for the clinical decisions you make and learn the skills required to critique published research findings. Use your medical school training as a tool for fine-tuning your skills to attain your career visions and to contribute to science and improved health care for all.
