Her Story
About Roxana
Roxana Patroni serves as Clinical Trial Educator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this role for the past two years, she educates patients on the foundations of clinical trials to demystify the process and enable informed decisions about treatment options. With a total of eight years in the field, her path was inspired during her undergraduate studies when an internship at a local clinic in Haverhill, Massachusetts, sparked her passion for research and addressing the lack of diversity in clinical trial participants. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Suffolk University along with education from Merrimack College. She recently participated in ASCO's Quality Improvement training program and is a member of ACRP. Roxana is deeply committed to mentorship, viewing it as a way to pay forward the guidance she received and to support the next generation of professionals in the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Roxana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say resilience. It's a good one. I appreciate that as a child but my poor mom didn't either. The most incredible and influential women have been that way as well.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open to new experiences. Say yes more often, be open to learning. Sometimes out of fear we say no to incredible opportunities because we doubt our ability. If you just say yes then grind through it. Sometimes they end up being the best experiences or stepping stones for your career.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Having enough professionals that reflect the community we are seeking to help. There's a lot of mistrust that happens in this field, medical mistrust. Trust is built on someone who reflects your community, your beliefs, your ideologies, your values.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness, empathy, respect, and professionalism. I also really like curiosity because you always have to be curious, you're always learning.
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