From Patient to Doctor

Megan Johnson is a hard working physician making her way through her residency rotation. Although Megan has accomplished great things, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Megan was once a pediatric patient at Roswell Park who had been given just a 10 percent chance of survival. At just 21 months old she was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Her disease was treated aggressively with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and high dose radiation therapy.

She went on to become valedictorian of the Class of 2008 at Kenmore West High School, completed her undergraduate work at Dartmouth College, took part in Roswell Park’s Summer Research Program and has now graduated with a degree in medicine from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine.

As a mark of the beginning of a resident’s training, it is tradition to take part in a white coat ceremony where the doctors will receive their official long, white lab coats. During this ceremony she met Dr. Glick, one of the surgeons who removed her tumor 25 years ago! Megan’s life and career have truly come full circle as she goes into her residency this year. At some point, she will rotate through Roswell Park and though she will be in a familiar place, this time she will be on the other end of the stethoscope.