Tori Lane,
Radiation Therapist, Inova Health System
July 13, 2023
How did you choose this path?
Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses ionizing radiation to treat cancer. My inspiration to embark on this journey was my mother. My mom had a rare form of GYN cancer when I was a sophomore in high school. I then became her primary caregiver after her home nurse got into a tragic car accident. This fueled my passion for medicine and to become an advocate for black women are ignored in healthcare. The severity of her cancer could’ve been prevented but no one believed her when she said something was wrong . It took a Black woman doctor to believe her concerns and get her the proper treatment.
What are some challenges that you had to overcome?
Going to a PWI for 12 years was an extreme challenge. During my senior year my college counselor told me that I wasn’t smart enough to go to Howard or any of my dream schools. She encouraged me to go to the local community college because that’s all my future entailed. Leaving me to figure out college applications and the college process alone. She also doubted my dreams to be a doctor since she believed no one wanted black women in medicine. My work ethic was already crazy but it motivated me to go even harder. I applied to Howard on my own and got accepted as a Honors Biology Major. The day after my acceptance letter I wore a Howard sweatshirt and she said,” are you manifesting” meaning she didn’t actually believe I got in. That moment still motivates me to work hard everyday to accomplish my goals. Now i’m a bilingual Radiation Therapist living my dream until I go onto continue my education.
Do you have any advice for other Black Women in STEM?
It’s going to be hard and you’re going to have to sacrifice a lot but it’s worth it. Your perspective, advocacy, voice, and swag is desperately needed in uber STEM field.
Being a Black woman in STEM...
is to bring fresh perspectives and knowledge to the table that your white colleagues would never think of.
