“We have all worked diligently in finding better ways to do more with less, but there is no doubt that very significant challenges remain.

Dr. Rafael Fonseca, M.D.
In addition to being named deputy director for the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and associate director for the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Fonseca is internationally known for his work in the area of hematologic malignancies, publishing more than 100 papers.

What does “power” mean to you?
Power is best when it reflects the responsibility placed on a person whose decisions could affect many. Accordingly, it has been said that with great power comes great responsibility. True power is enabled by trust.
What impact do you strive to have on the Valley?
I have worked over the past several years in building an academic medical center that can provide to patients with cancer the best that medicine can offer. If at the end of my tenure I know we have built a team that can address the needs of patients and their families, and I have contributed to that, I will feel successful. The Valley has grown and the need to have an integrated system that addresses cancer care, cancer research and education is of utmost importance. I believe we are getting there. We have  increased our number of cancer specialists and have grown over the years to become the largest bone marrow transplant program in the state. At any given time we are running more than 100 clinical trials, providing opportunities to patients that don’t exist otherwise. Mayo is the only national NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and we continue to build on that. Now we are advancing genomic medicine and are at the forefront of that and we have plans to offer the first state-of-the-art proton beam facility in Arizona.
What is one tip that everyone can use to become successful?
Follow your passion with great optimism.
How do you face challenges such as the recession?
This recession has had a tremendous impact for all and is felt especially hard when one faces disease and illness. We have all worked diligently in finding better ways to do more with less, but there is no doubt that very significant challenges remain.
What one superpower would you like to possess?
I would like to be able to be at two or three places at the same time. Life is short and full of opportunities.