Toan Thien Nguyen, MD

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Dr. Toan Nguyen has been a surgeon since 2007 and a dedicated breast surgeon since 2012. He serves as a Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Oncology for Lakeland Regional Health. Dr. Nguyen treats patients with breast diseases, benign and malignant. A significant percentage of patients do not have breast cancer but are actually high risk patients, meaning they have a family history of breast cancer or personal features that impart a high risk for developing breast cancer. He also sees patients with benign breast problems, such as breast masses, nipple discharge, breast infections and breast pain. What is your patient care philosophy?I believe that every patient is a unique human being who deserves the utmost respect and compassion. A patient is not a disease, but rather someone who is looking for guidance to improve her or his health. My job is to understand my patients’ goals and values, to educate each and every one of my patients regarding their conditions, and to counsel them to achieve the best possible outcomes through specific treatments that meet their needs. I highly value the doctor-patient relationship and incorporate this trust to every single patient visit. What would you like people to know about you as a physician?I am passionate about being a doctor. I see it as more of a calling than a job. I have spent my entire adult life studying how the human body works and how certain diseases can affect our health and well-being. This learning process is lifelong and will never be complete, requiring constant and daily efforts to pursue new and breakthrough treatments. I am passionate about using this knowledge to improve the health and lives of my patients. The trust of a doctor-patient relationship is sacred to me and I never take this for granted. Why did you decide to become a physician?I became a physician because I realized how much a good doctor can positively impact the lives of many people. It is an extremely rewarding field, and I cherish every day the trust that patients put in my hands. I often see patients who I took care of many years ago still living healthy, fulfilling lives and it constantly reminds me of why I became a physician. What do you enjoy most about working with patients?I really enjoy getting to know my patients and what qualities make them unique. I try my best to understand every patient’s values and goals because no two patients are exactly alike in their circumstances. This is important because I strongly believe in individualized medicine – tailoring a treatment that is specific to each patient. Typically, I develop lifelong relationships with my patients and every patient visit builds on the previous visit. When did you know you wanted to be a doctor?While studying in college, I was fascinated by the science of the human body. Our brains are faster than any supercomputer and our hearts beat continuously for decades without tiring. We have only begun to tap into our bodies’ capabilities. Yet, we are still so fragile and are burdened by many diseases. I realized that as a doctor, I can continue to advance the science of medicine and help individual people on a daily basis. It is a great marriage of satisfying my intellectual curiosity and having the fulfilling aspects of taking care of patients. How does your work improve lives?I am extremely passionate about my work – oncology care, to be specific. Cancer usually carries the highest rates of mortality in our country and breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. Through my work, I can alter the course that cancer takes in a patient and this restores the health of my patients, usually measured by several decades’ timespan. What else would you like to share with our readers?I believe that great health is attainable for everyone. It is much easier to prevent rather than treat. Wellness is also multidimensional, meaning that having good health is not only being free of physical illnesses and bad habits,...