Generosa Grana, MD, FACP

What was your first job? 

My first part-time job during high school was working in a law office as a library assistant – not very exciting. My first full-time summer job during college was working in the steel mill where my father was an employee. I was called “little José” and really got an appreciation for the hardships of his job. I loved the camaraderie with the employees and working with my dad.

Tell us something about you that people wouldn’t expect. 

I came to the United States at the age of 10 not speaking a word of English. If you listen carefully, you will still pick up my accent. Learning the language and the culture was quite challenging for me but it was tremendously harder for my parents who were in their mid-30s. As an immigrant, I often feel torn between the old and new.

What inspired you to become a cancer specialist? 

I was inspired by the physicians and patients that I worked with during my residency training. I was struck by the relationship between patients and physicians, by the multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, and by the excitement in the field.

What is your essential patient care philosophy?

I see myself as their partner in their cancer journey. My role is to provide information, guidance, and support but to always engage them in the decision-making process and to make sure that I respect their priorities and their autonomy. Ultimately, it is a partnership and it requires mutual respect and commitment. My goal for our program is that it be focused on meeting the needs of our patients – they are going through some tremendous physical and emotional hardships and our team should be there for them each step of the way.

What do you hope your patients say about you to their family and friends? 

I hope they say that I listened to them and spent time understanding their needs. I hope they sense that I value their opinions and respect their autonomy.

What three words best describe you?

Enthusiastic, energetic, and demanding – I am demanding of myself and those around me as I want the best possible experience for our patients.

Outside of your family and your work, what are your passions?

My greatest passion is my three children – I love watching them grow into independent, strong adults with their own goals and aspirations. I love to travel – anywhere, any place, any mode of transportation. I am a pet lover (currently two dogs and two cats, but a myriad of other critters in my past) and I am a voracious reader in both Spanish and English.