Markey oncologist hopes to treat every patient like a friend

Dr. Aman Chauhan
Making the Rounds

For this week's Making the Rounds conversation, we spoke to Dr. Aman Chauhan. Dr. Chauhan is a neuroendocrine tumor specialist who joined the medical oncology team at the UK Markey Cancer Center in 2018. He cares for patients who have carcinoid tumors, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas, and small and non-small cell lung cancer.

What inspired you to pursue medicine?

I’m the first doctor in my family, so I can’t say anyone forced me to get into medicine. I think it was my calling. My dad is a botanist, and I used to spend time in his lab. In high school, I gravitated more toward human biology and that led me toward a career in medicine.

Why did you decide to study oncology?

After finishing my training in India, I came to the United States in 2011 and did a combined internal medicine and pediatrics training at LSU – New Orleans. During my residency, I really liked treating and interacting with cancer patients. During the latter half of my residency, I developed a fondness for neuroendocrine tumor patients, partly because a lot of my mentors were leading a big neuroendocrine tumor program at LSU. When it came time to pursue a fellowship for super-specialization, they recommended me to come to Kentucky to get trained under Dr. Lowell Anthony.

Describe your patient care philosophy.

I try to treat every patient as if he or she is my friend or family member. I would not do anything that I would not do to my friends and family. It’s very important to develop a trust, a relationship with your patients. One thing very unique to neuroendocrine patients is it’s a chronic, slow-growing disease in most patients. We get to follow these patients not for months but years. I’ve had some patients going for four or five years. I really enjoy talking to them and understanding their day-to-day challenges and trying to simplify them. I try to be optimistic and try to find new cures and new treatments for them.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like to travel at least once a month someplace in the United States. I plan to explore beyond the U.S. in the coming years.

I also like to cook. I think cooking is very peaceful, and I don't mind experimenting. 

I'm not a good dancer, but I like the idea of dancing so I take part in a few dance classes here and there.


Watch our interview with Dr. Chauhan to learn more about why he finds treating patients at Markey so rewarding.

 

This content was produced by UK HealthCare Brand Strategy.

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