Heart Behind the White Coat: Dr. Regina Hampton
Dr. Regina Hampton is Chief of Breast Surgery at Luminis Health, Doctors Community Medical Center. She is the only dedicated breast surgeon in full-time practice in northern Prince George’s County, Maryland. In Heart Behind the White Coat (HBWC) programs, DHH features healthcare professionals to learn the sparks that motivate HCPs to explore careers in medicine and how their passion endures.
In this HBWC program, Dr. Hampton explains what initially inspired her to become a breast cancer surgeon. Dr. Hampton shares what continues to drive her passion in medicine and patient advocacy and her advice to students aspiring to become healthcare professionals.
How did you become interested in a career in medicine?
In my school years before I started college, my studies in math and science always came easily to me. And I also loved the idea of helping people in some way through my work. Prior to medical school, I thought I wanted to become a primary care doctor. But then I discovered that I loved working with my hands. I was not expecting to love surgery, but I found that I felt comfortable with it. Looking back on things now, becoming a surgeon was actually a very natural fit for me.
What drives your passion to continue your work in the medical field?
I love taking women through their cancer journeys. I work primarily with women of color, who still harbor some negative thoughts about cancer care. I develop a rapport and trust with them to guide them through their cancer journeys with compassion. These women are often unseen in the medical community, and it is my pleasure and my job to advocate for them and to help create more cancer survivors. I also work to bring breast cancer out of the shadows and to reduce shame in our community. Through my efforts in patient advocacy, I want to show more women that there can be positive outcomes with survival and good quality of life after cancer.
What advice do you have for others considering a career in the medical field?
It’s essential to have a passion for this work. The field of medicine is not as lucrative as it was in the past – so do not do it for the money! We need more diversity in the healthcare and research spaces – this includes nursing and allied health fields. You have to be prepared to put in the hard work and long hours that are required for medical training. But if you are truly committed, it will never feel like work but will help you feel a profound sense of joy.
What’s a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?
I really love traveling to new places to learn about different cultures and people. I feel like so much can be learned from different cultures, and traveling to other places helps people create new ideas and ways of thinking through their exposure to different perspectives. On my most recent trip, I traveled with my son to Japan. We loved the food and culture there. I’m proud to have my son experience different people, places, and cultures. And I look forward to visiting Japan again in the future.
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