Why I Chose Oncology - Dr. Priyanka Mittar

Even before she decided to pursue medicine, Priyanka Mittar, DO, understood that the relationships cancer patients develop with their oncologists are unique. 

Choosing a career in Oncology was a natural fit, inspired by her personal experience. "Witnessing that trajectory and seeing the impact that cancer and the oncology team had on a loved one," she recalls, "I've never forgotten that feeling." 

Today, as a medical oncologist and hematologist, with available therapies constantly evolving and growing, she is still moved deeply by the nature of the relationship she has with each of her patients and their families. 

"Every case is different and every treatment is personalized," she explains. "Care targeted – in more ways than one – to address the specific disease and, equally important, to align treatment with the patient's goals and values. 

"It is a privilege to be part of people's lives, to work together as a team so that we can provide tailored, personalized care." 

That team includes the patient and their caregivers and extends to include an array of medical professionals at GBMC, in the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute and beyond: Radiation Oncology, Surgery, Pathology, Clinical Trials, Palliative Wellness Medicine, Social Work, and more. 

Joining the team at GBMC has brought Dr. MIttar home again to Baltimore – another plus, and another way that oncology and healthcare feel personal. 

"The team here is one I would pick for my family," Dr. Mittar says. "Everyone here stays current with leading-edge, evidence-based treatment. And everyone here is compassionate. 

"We are a truly integrated team, and I think the patients can feel the difference when the team caring for them is cohesive, working together with the single goal of providing the best care." 

As she describes the time she spends with her patients, it's easy to see Dr. Mittar's dedication to helping them feel confident and comfortable about the treatment they will receive. "It is a privilege to help a patient navigate from diagnosis through to deciding on a plan of care," she says. "To help take what can be a scary moment, filled with fear, and turn it into one full of options." To Dr. Mittar, her role is to help the patient process the information she has provided, understanding that their own goals are a key element in any decision they make. 

Dr. Mittar brings years of experience in oncology and deep relationships with her colleagues in the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center to each patient interaction. Like those colleagues, she also brings empathy. She understands that the patient might be overwhelmed by a range of emotions, from fear to uncertainty. She strives to meet each patient where they are and help them feel safe as they face difficult decisions. 

And, while she is the oncologist, the expert in the benefits and challenges of their treatment options, every day she is inspired by her patients and their loved ones. Each patient becomes Dr. Mittar's partner in designing the care plan that will give them the best outcome: treatment that addresses their cancer and aligns with their personal goals and values. 

It isn't easy, however the term she uses to describe it every time is the same. "It's my privilege," she says, "to be a part of my patients' lives."