ISSUES #22: MAY 2016
BLACK INNOVATORS
JUNE 2015
Our conversation with neurosurgeon Dr. Sherise Ferguson
Dr. Sherise D. Ferguson
I once referred to Dr. Sherise Ferguson as a unicorn among neurosurgeons. A Black female in the neurosurgery field is almost an anomaly. It’s great to meet a doctor practicing at her level that is equally personable and professional. Dr. Ferguson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She was kind enough to sit down with me amid a hectic schedule and share some of her experience and insight.
I always start with the standard, kind of corny questions. That said, where are you from?
I am West Indian. I was born in Nassau, Bahamas. I have spent a great deal of time in the U.S. before I actually set up permanent roots here. I went to college at the University of Virginia. I then went to the University of Pennsylvania where I received my masters in cognitive neuroscience. Following that, I attended medical school at the University of Chicago, and did a residency in neurosurgery there as well. Additionally, I spent a year doing a neurosurgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson, leading to my current work at MD Anderson.
Were you always interested in medicine and science?
I was always interested in science but not medicine particularly. I was actually interested in archeology, believe it or not, but there was always a common theme of science in my interests when I was younger. Funny thing is, as a young kid I considered one of my role models Indiana Jones, the archeologist. I actually focused on medicine much later in life.
That’s a bit unusual for a young girl. Any other role models of note?
My early role models were from the big screen as a kid. That said, I’d have to add Rocky Balboa. Sounds odd but I was actually inspired by Rocky’s refusal to give up; his unwillingness to accept “can’t” for an answer. I think I’ve actually carried that attitude forward in my life, from my education to my professional life.
What’s your family make up?
I grew up with both my parents and two siblings. My dad is a dentist and my mom was an accountant. She later changed careers and became a pastry chef so she could double as a homemaker. I am the oldest of three children. I have one brother and one sister.
How did you choose your medical specialization?
Honestly, I chose Neurosurgery sort of by chance. When I went to medical school I had actually planned to be an orthopedic surgeon and specialize in sports medicine. However, during my 3rd year of medical school, I happened to do a rotation on the neurosurgery ward. I was in a neurosurgery case and the attending surgeon noticed how adept I was operating our surgery equipment and tools and he encouraged me to adjust my studies to focus on neurosurgery. This piqued my interest and the rest is history.
Wow, that almost sounds too easy. You must have been quite the exceptional student to be able to even shift gears that way. What was school like for you growing up? Were you like Doogie Hauser, the kid genius?
Noooo, I wasn’t that special. I was your average kid in school. I had good grades. An A- average. I went to a small private school. About 60 kids in my grad class. I graduated and I went to University of Virginia at 16 yrs. old.
Well actually, being in college at 16 isn’t what I’d call average, Doc.
Ahhh... I guess you have a point there.
Where did you go to medical school?
I attended med school at University of Chicago.
Dr. Ferguson's day starts very early and is heavily stacked. This talented surgeaon handles it all with grace.
Being a black, female, neurosurgeon you've got to be the unicorn of your industry. Are there a lot of African American neurosurgeons?
No there are not a lot of black neurosurgeons there are even less black female ones. I am sure there has got to be just a handful.
There doesn’t seem to be many female neurosurgeons of any persuasion. Why do you think that is?
Surgery is notoriously, or traditionally-either of those words will do, a male dominated field. It has been a sort of boy’s club, if you will. And the less women there are in a field, the less women go into that field, so it becomes kind of a self-perpetuating cycle. Over time that has changed as the cycle is breaking. Different fields of surgery have changed at different paces, regarding the inclusion of women. Neurosurgery just happens to be one of the slower ones but it has come a long way.
How long have you been in the field now?
I did a 7 year residency at University of Chicago. I spent a year at MD Anderson doing specialized training in neurosurgical oncology. And I have been on staff at MD Anderson about 2 years.
Are you very busy in your field? What’s a typical day in the life of Dr. Ferguson?
Most mornings I do stereotactic radiosurgery (aka Gamma Knife) to treat brain metastasis. That starts around six in the morning. Then I either am in the operating room starting around 7:30 AM or I have clinic, seeing patients for office visits, which starts at 8:00 or 9:0AM. I typically have clinic on Tuesday and Friday and I operate on Wednesday and Thursday; sometimes Monday.
Just to do away with some of the questions marks that have formed over our readers’ heads, when you say brain metastasis, what do you mean?
That refers to cancer that has formed in another part of the body, the lungs or the breast for example, that has moved to the brain.
Speaking of scheduling, you have a brand new 10 week old son. Managing a new baby is hard to work into the schedules of people who AREN’T neurosurgeons. How is it managing everything you mentioned plus having a newborn?
It’s simple; I don’t eat or sleep. (We laugh). Actually for me it’s not that grueling 'cause he's so dang cute. Also, I’m so accustomed to odd hours, minimal sleep and waking up or going to sleep on demand. It’s probably a lot tougher on my husband. All the years of residency have left a mark on me that I’m finding very practical now.
You have to know you're a role model, inadvertent or otherwise. Do you do embrace that aspect of your career?
It’s not really something that I think about. To me, I’m just some girl who wouldn’t take no for an answer and worked really hard. In my mind if I can do it anyone can do it. I don’t do public speaking but if I were to lecture anybody, that’s what I would say.. “If I can do it you can do it.”
What's next for you? What career path do you see for yourself long term?
What's next? Nothing special, I just want to do good work and help people. Hope that doesn't sound corny.
Sounds pretty positive to me.
V. Ray
#positiveblack
#RiseShineRepeat
