E. Ann Gormley, MD, MSc

As a radiation oncologist, I believe in individualizing and personalizing patient care, and helping patients and their families understand and be an active part of the treatment plan. The patients I see are at a difficult time in their lives. I’m committed to helping them be as comfortable as possible with their treatment plan and guide them toward the excellent resources we offer.

The best patient care is always delivered by understanding the patient’s goals. When we meet, I ask my patients what their goals are and what is most important to them. Understanding their priorities and wishes—as well as those of their family members and support systems—helps us decide on the best care plan for them. We make a lot of difficult choices in neurosurgery. Sometimes there isn’t a perfect option because of the severity of the diseases we deal with. In all cases, my goal is to achieve the best possible quality of life for a patient by preventing or treating neurologic problems in the least invasive manner possible. My patients appreciate the extra time I spend with them to ensure that they understand their disease and treatment options. My aneurysm patients love the personalized illustrations I create to help them understand their particular aneurysm and what different treatments would look like. Neurosurgery is an incredible field of medicine that, in many cases, helps give people their lives and their loved ones back. A young concert viola player recently came into the emergency room with a stroke. It looked like he might never be able to talk or play his instrument again. We whisked him up to our procedure room and, in less than 20 minutes, removed the clot that was causing the stroke. He was back to normal and playing his instrument before he left the hospital two days later. Stories like this are why I get out of bed in the morning. To be a part of someone’s comeback story in such a personal way is an incredible privilege. I can’t think of a more meaningful job than that!

As a pulmonary and critical care physician, I am passionate about patient care. The healthcare system can be challenging to navigate. Patients often struggle to get answers to their questions. I collaborate with and advocate for my patients, helping them find the information and care they need to meet their goals. I combine my passion for patient care with a deep commitment to improving healthcare systems. In my clinical work and research, I identify new solutions that provide the best care. I am particularly interested in how technology can reduce barriers to care so that patients can get the care they need. My primary research uses data and experiences from past patient care to make future treatments better and more efficient. I lead multiple research and evaluation efforts related to the Veterans Affairs' electronic health record modernization efforts. I am also exploring how artificial intelligence can support and improve patient care. In all my work, I am driven by the desire to provide the highest standard of care. I aim to ensure that patients receive the most informed, up-to-date treatments.