National Doctors Day: Upholding the Human Connection With Jasmin Hundal, MD, MS, MPH, and Matthew Hadfield, DO
Expert Perspectives · Keira Smith · 2026-03-30
In this conversation honoring National Doctors Day, Dr. Jasmin Hundal, Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic, and OncData Editor in Chief Dr. Matthew Hadfield, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University, sat down to discuss their journeys in the world of medicine. From the personal motivations that led them to oncology, to the rapid-fire pace of innovation throughout their careers, they explore the humbling privilege of walking alongside patients during their most vulnerable moments.
Finding the Calling
Often, the path to oncology is not a linear one. Dr. Hadfield recalled his early days as a clinical research coordinator in a cystic fibrosis lab and having the realization that he was not meant for bench research. His trajectory shifted when he joined the early drug development group at Dana-Farber. "I got to see patients getting enrolled on clinical trials firsthand and experience the ability to offer these patients the hope and promise of something to treat their cancer when nothing else had worked," he reflected.
Dr. Hundal shared a similar evolution, moving from an initial interest in surgery to the realization that her true calling lay in the long-term management of cancer. "Oncology drew me because it's both the science and the human side of the medicine—the opportunity to understand the disease and still meaningfully impact people's lives at their most vulnerable moments," she explained. Both clinicians emphasized that while the technical aspects of medicine are fascinating, the human connection is the ultimate anchor.
The Humbling Nature of the Relationship
In oncology, where outcomes are often beyond a physician's control, the value of the patient-provider bond becomes paramount. Dr. Hadfield reflected on the unique nature of this specialty, stating, "Oncology may be one of the most humbling subspecialties because it often feels like we don't have much control. But the greatest joy of being an oncologist is the relationships, regardless of the outcomes. Something that I have really enjoyed over the years is getting to know patients, getting to know their families, sharing in the good news, and being there for the not-so-good news.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Hundal, who noted that her preference for medical oncology over surgical subspecialties stemmed from a desire for creating relationships with patients. “I was more inclined to that than to subspecialties like gynecologic oncology, where you spend the majority of your time in the operating room” she explained.
A Field in Constant Flux
The speed of innovation in oncology is both exhilarating and demanding. Dr. Hadfield observed, “The old adage is that what you learn in medical school will be irrelevant by the time you start practicing. Now, what we learned last year is sometimes already irrelevant.” From the emergence of targeted therapies like BRAF inhibitors to the current explosion of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), the treatment algorithm is a moving target. Dr. Hundal highlighted this shift in breast cancer care: "The ADCs, for example, are moving to the front line, which was not the case when I started, when they used to be a second- or third-line option."
The AI Frontier
As the medical community looks toward 2026, the role of AI is a primary concern. Both doctors expressed excitement about "ambient AI" to reduce the time spent on documentation, but they cautioned against over-reliance on decision-support tools. Dr. Hadfield offered an analogy: "Even if a pilot can use autopilot 90% of the time, they still have to be able to fly the plane. If you don't have the experience and the capabilities when something goes wrong, then you're not adequately trained."
Dr. Hundal shared a similar fear regarding the training of new residents and fellows. "Are they going to lose critical thinking if they can use AI tools to support diagnosis?” she asked. “That’s one of the things that I really enjoyed during training: solving the puzzle of a patient’s diagnosis. We need to keep critical thinking as our go-to.”
Messages on National Doctor’s Day
Concluding their discussion, both physicians expressed a profound sense of optimism despite the systemic hurdles of modern medicine. Dr. Hundal noted the strength of the medical community, stating, "I think we've come a very long way as a whole community, and I'm really excited about how this field keeps moving forward."
Dr. Hadfield reinforced this by acknowledging that while administrative burdens like insurance and billing persist, they do not diminish the core mission. "I'm more and more encouraged about being in medicine every year," he shared. "It's a privilege to get to take care of patients, especially the patient populations that we get to take care of. It's an amazing field to be in."
Key Takeaways
Prioritize the Relationship: In a field where you cannot always control the outcome, the strength of the patient-provider bond is the most enduring reward.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: The rapid shift from chemotherapy to targeted therapies requires constant adaptation to treatment algorithms.
Use AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch: Leverage technology for administrative efficiency (like notetaking) but maintain the "muscle memory" of clinical reasoning and diagnostic puzzle-solving.
Maintain Resilience: Despite the hurdles of billing and documentation, the privilege of taking care of patients remains the core motivation of the profession.
About the Speakers
Jasmin Hundal, MD, MS, MPH, is a third-year Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Previously, she completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Hundal’s main area of interest is the overlap between cardiometabolic health and cancer, particularly for breast cancer patients and survivors. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking.
Matthew Hadfield, DO, is a Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University/Legorreta Cancer Center. He recently completed his Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Brown University. Dr. Hadfield’s clinical and research interests are in phase 1 clinical trials and developmental therapeutics, as well as treatment of cutaneous malignancies and management of immunotherapy-related adverse events.