Page 9 - MidWeek - June 23, 2021

JUNE 23, 2021 MIDWEEK 9
Born and raised in Ho- nolulu, Dr. Ashley Aratani is an orthope- dic oncologist at Pali Momi Medical Center. The ‘Iolani School graduate received her medical education and train- ing at University of Hawai‘i, Stanford University and Uni- versity of Florida.
DR. ASHLEY ARATANI, orthopedic oncologist at Pali Momi Medical Center Interviewed by Don Robbins
Bringing A Special Skill Set To Hawai‘i
friends, and on occasion joining her mom to watch The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.
es. As early as medical school, we are taught that the practice of medicine is a team effort. I think oncology epitomizes that teaching. It is also interesting to learn about the other subspe- cialties and what new innova- tions are being discovered in their respective fields.
Universally, orthopedic on- cology is a small field because bone and soft tissue sarcomas (cancers) are rare compared to other types of cancer, such as lung, breast, and prostate can- cer. They make up only about 1% of all cancers in adults and slightly more in children. I think I bring a unique per- spective to oncology care in Hawai‘i. I can help identify and treat bone and soft tissue sarcomas, as well as benign bone and soft tissue tumors in kids and adults. I can help the patient’s doctor determine if something needs surgery or
can be treated medically. I am excited to be part of the oncol- ogy team here in Hawai‘i.
What’s it like being the state’s only orthopedic on- cologist?
I may be the only ortho- pedic oncologist in the com- munity, but I am lucky to be able to bounce ideas off my colleagues and mentors. I met Dr. Sean Kelly (currently at Tripler Army Medical Center) on the fellowship interview trail, and it’s been a great expe- rience to collaborate with him on patients as well. My men- tors at Stanford and University of Florida have always told me that they are just a phone call away if I have questions about anything. Although they may not be in my subspecialty, I am able to lean on my orthopedic surgery partners for help. For example, if I have a hand tu- mor, I know I can ask Dr. Tim- othy Fei (hand surgeon at Pali Momi) for help because he op- erates on the hand all the time.
“After leaving for college, residency and fellowship, you realize how special a place Hawai‘i is,” says Aratani. “I think my up- bringing has taught me to be appreciative of the non-tangi- ble things in life. My parents, family and friends have been so supportive of what I’ ve wanted to do, and I know for a fact I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I can only hope to provide that same support to my patients and colleagues, and parents, family and friends.”
What inspired you to pursue a medical degree?
I did not always know that I wanted to become a physi- cian. Initially, I was interested in pharmacy but after shadow- ing a pharmacist, I realized I wanted a more active role in treating patients. Ultimately, I ended up shadowing a local dermatologist as well as a Uni- versity of Washington sports medicine team physician. I enjoyed the relationships they formed with their patients, and they seemed to really love their respective special- ties. I also got to participate in the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Summer Student Research Program, where I was further exposed to medical and surgi- cal subspecialties, as well as medical research.
Dr. Ashley Aratani, orthopedic oncologist at Pali Momi Medical Center, assists a patient. PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I PACIFIC HEALTH
What special skills do you bring to the Hawai‘i medi- cal scene?
Outside of work, she enjoys activities such as surfing, hiking and snowboarding, as well as spending time with family and
There is a lot of variety in orthopedic oncology, from the patients you see to the pro- cedures you perform. From a surgical standpoint, I found it challenging and fun to be able to work in different parts of the body, whether it was the arm, leg or back. Each surgery was always different, ranging from removing small soft tissue masses to reconstructing the pelvis. I also liked dissecting
Oncology is very much a multidisciplinary field. It’s a really cool thing to be able to collaborate with all of these different physicians and nurs-
Here, Aratani shares more about her background and role as an orthopedic oncologist.
What made you choose or- thopedic oncology?
around nerves and blood ves- sels, which you don’t get to do a lot of in other orthopedic subspecialties. You also get to be really creative with your surgical reconstructions, es- pecially now that personalized medicine and patient-specific instrumentation/implants are becoming more mainstream.
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