Women’s History Month: Celebrating Marlana M. Orloff, MD

As we recognize Women’s History Month, please join us in celebrating our 2019 Vision of Hope Award Recipient, Marlana M. Orloff, MD.

Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Areas of Expertise: Uveal, Conjunctival and Mucosal Melanoma

“The first time that a career in science even crossed my mind was in eighth grade. In fact, however, these weren’t aspirations of my own, but rather a projection made by my peers. In my eighth-grade yearbook I was voted “Most Likely To Be A Doctor.” Perhaps it then became a self-fulfilling prophecy because it was from that point forward that I started my journey towards a career in medicine. It turns out that just because your eighth grade classmates vote you most likely to be something it doesn’t just happen. Once set on this journey I truly had no idea the rollercoaster of emotion and sacrifice that would ensue. Now looking back on that last 20 years since starting medical school, I can honestly say that as a woman in science, there is no recipe for success and that everyone’s journey is uniquely their own. For me it was all about finding positive female mentors, giving myself the grace when trying to be both a mom and doctor, and surrounding myself with family, friends, and colleagues that supported unconditionally through the good, bad, and everything in between.

While in college, in an effort to get more hands-on hospital experience, I got my certification as a nursing assistant and began working in an ICU. That job is where I met my first mentor. Dr. Raida Rabah was an infectious-disease doctor who would often round in the ICU. Though she was a busy consultant, she always checked in with me to see how application to medical school was going. She gave advice and was a clinical role model. She demonstrated confidence, intellect, empathy, and compassion, all of the attributes that make an exemplary physician. Though she very much hoped I’d pursue a career in infectious disease, she was nothing but supportive as I turned my eye to medical oncology, then to melanoma and then to uveal melanoma. She defined what it meant to be a mentor and it was then much easier for me to recognize such when choosing mentors in the future. Mentorship is not about making a carbon copy of yourself or dictating someone’s future, it’s about gentle guidance, the inclusion, the enlightening, the encouragement, the endorsement, the care.

In March 2013 I was invited to write an editorial titled “On being a first-year fellow and a first-year mom.” At that time I had 11-month-old twins and was part way through my first year as an oncology fellow. As I read that article now, some 11 years and two more kids later, I am very proud of the advice I gave to my then and future self. I noted that, “For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a mom. For as long as I can remember I never considered being both at the same time.” Then it goes on to describe what life as an oncologist and mom could look like, so seemingly mutually exclusive it reads like that infamous quote from the Barbie movie. “I would complete residency, I would have three or four kids before age 37, move on to complete an oncology fellowship, be homeroom mom, join an academic practice, spend afternoons at the park chatting with other moms, cure cancer, cook dinner, engage in meaningful research, always have the laundry done, ultimately make significant contributions to humankind, and never ever miss a school play, sporting event, dance recital, or bedtime.” Now almost 12 years later, with the exception of having laundry done, making every bedtime, and finding that cure, to my surprise things have generally worked out.

It is no question that things have worked out because I have armed myself with the support of family, friends, and colleagues who have been nothing short of exceptional. My “team” as I call them, many benches deep, will step in at a moment’s request, or often without even asking at all. Such support at home is matched only by the support at work by my other “team” of fellow doctors, nurses, and staff. Beyond the walls of my own institution, I am privileged to have an amazing network of other women melanoma physicians who share the common goal of taking the best care of our patients while also taking care of ourselves.

I was recently awarded the Alexander and Johnston Family Endowed Clinical Directorship of Uveal Melanoma at my home institution of Thomas Jefferson University. This was such an amazing honor inspiring me in my commitment to uveal melanoma patients and the melanoma community. It was not lost on me how monumental the occasion was, as one of only 18 female endowed position holders out of 92 in total. Despite the realization that there is much more work to be done to propel women in science to the highest levels of leadership and discovery, history has shown that women are a force and will get there. To quote the Barbie movie, “Women can be anything.”

Dr. Orloff has been instrumental in leading key MRF initiatives including lending her expertise as a member of the VISION Steering Committee and the CURE OM Initiative Scientific Steering Committee. Click here to donate today!