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Meet the New Patient: Surprise! A Physician Treats Her Former College Professor

December 01, 2020

I was behind a screen and I heard a voice on the other side. As the person came around they were in full PPE and face shield – but I recognized the voice.

Dr. Madhavi Gorusu, MD, MBA
Dr. Madhavi Gorusu, MD, MBA

In this episode of the More Life podcast series, Hartford HealthCare’s Steve Coates shares a remarkable story of a role-reversal of sorts. Professor and student meet again, unexpectedly – as patient and physician — at the height of the pandemic.

Admitted to Hartford Hospital for what was suspected to be complications from shingles, patient John Mathieu received a life-changing diagnosis: Cancer.

When the physician who would be building his treatment team introduced herself, Mathieu, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Management at the University of Connecticut, recognized the voice behind the PPE right away. It was his former student, Dr. Madhavi Gorusu.

You’ll also learn about an important alliance between Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering — and the difference it is making in this patient’s cancer journey. 

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Whatever type of cancer you may be facing and wherever you are in your cancer journey, the team at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute offers specialized expertise, advanced technology and convenient locations across the state.

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