Open Doors, Drs. Ioanna and Vilma Podcast

Most young oncologists face a tough paradox: how to excel professionally while maintaining their well-being and work-life balance. Dr. Rodrigo Sánchez Ballona, a rising leader in European oncology, shares his powerful insights on navigating this journey—highlighting resilience, purpose, and the importance of mentorship. In this inspiring episode, Rodrigo reveals how discipline, community, and a pa...

Professor Eleanor Shaw’s journey from delivering cream and bacon in Ayrshire to receiving an OBE and shaping entrepreneurial education is a story of daring, resilience, and redefining what leadership looks like for women in every field. In this episode, she reveals how her mindset evolved, why diversity is a strategic advantage, and how to challenge the status quo — all without a masterplan, just...

Unlock how AI is transforming cancer care with Dr. Arturo Loaiza Bonilla, a leading oncologist harnessing technology to bridge gaps in patient access and accelerate treatment options. Discover the innovative synergy between human expertise and AI that is making clinical trials faster, more inclusive, and more personalized—reshaping what’s possible for patients worldwide. Within this episode, you’l...

Unlock the secrets to leadership, resilience, and impactful research with one of the most influential head and neck surgeons in the world—Professor Hisham Mehanna. This episode dives into the transformative moments that shaped his career, from pioneering multidisciplinary teams to publishing in the New England Journal of Medicine—and how those milestones can inspire your own professional journey....

Discover how just five minutes of daily movement can transform your health and resilience. Join Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia as they reveal simple exercises that fit into any schedule, offering powerful benefits for stress reduction and cancer outcomes. Learn practical tips to integrate movement into your day and improve both personal well-being and patient care. Start your journe...

Unlock the secrets to building a resilient, impactful career in medicine while balancing family, leadership, and gender dynamics. In this extraordinary episode, Professor Corrine Favre-Fin reveals how embracing opportunities, navigating challenges, and supporting women can redefine success in oncology and beyond. Meet one of thoracic radiation oncology’s most influential leaders—who trained in Par...

In this episode of Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Joanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco Barcia engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Narjust Florez about the evolving landscape of lung cancer, particularly in younger patients and non-tobacco users. They discuss the stigma surrounding lung cancer, the unique biological features of the disease in younger patients, and the critical issues of survivorship...

Summary In this episode of the Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia engage with Dr. Gil Morgan, a clinical oncologist and founder of OncoAlert. They discuss the evolution of OncoAlert from a social media initiative to a global platform for oncology education and advocacy. Dr. Morgan shares insights into his journey in clinical oncology, the importance of equity in canc...

In this episode of the Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia engage in a profound conversation with Prof. Amanda Psyrri, a global leader in oncology. Prof. Psyrri shares her inspiring journey from Greece to the United States, her groundbreaking research on HPV and oropharyngeal cancer, and her vision for the future of women in oncology leadership. Key Insights:The impor...

In this special preview episode, we bring together leading voices in global healthcare to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, creativity, and compassion—while protecting professional wellbeing. Dr. Gil Morgan , Executive Director of the OncoAlert Network, addresses the growing challenge of medical misinformation and the responsibility healthcare providers carry when communicating d...

In this episode of the Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia are joined by Dr. Enes Erul, a medical oncologist and researcher, to explore the complex world of imposter syndrome and resilience in the medical field. Dr. Erul shares his personal journey and insights into how high-achieving professionals often grapple with self-doubt and the pressure to be perfect. The conv...

In this episode of the Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia welcome Dr. Imene Hadji, a pioneering medical oncologist from Algeria. Dr. Hadji shares her journey of navigating the global oncology landscape, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, mental health, and multiculturalism. Discover how she balances local roots with a global perspective to drive innovation and...

Keywords oncology, global health, early career oncologists, resource-limited settings, medical education, patient care, multiculturalism, innovation, mentorship, cancer care Summary In this episode of Open Doors Podcast, Dr. Ioanna Nixon and Dr. Vilma Pacheco-Barcia engage with Dr. Imène Hadji, a medical oncologist from Algeria, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by early car...

Join us on the Open Doors Podcast as we dive into the world of international research fellowships with Dr. Yago Garitaonaindia Diaz. Discover the challenges and triumphs of transitioning into a new academic culture, the intricacies of balancing clinical and translational research, and the importance of mentorship and resilience in the face of burnout. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or som...

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 th...

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 co...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 for...

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...

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...

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...

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 alway...

In this thoughtful episode of Open Doors with Drs. Ioanna and Vilma , we’re joined by Dr. Jenny Liu , Translational Lead of Early Phase Drug Development at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Australia. Dr. Liu shares her extensive experience as a clinician-scientist leading novel cancer trials, while also shining a light on an innovative mentoring program that’s transforming how we address burnout in t...