Physician Highlight:
Margaret Brown, M.D.
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Margaret was the eldest of three children. She enjoyed figure skating and cheerleading for the area hockey team. Margaret admitted that she didn’t intend to become a doctor. She wanted to major in Physics and was drawn to science. She choose Smith College, in part, to be near her grandmother who had survived cervical, breast, and lung cancers but was fighting kidney cancer. Margaret’s grandmother succumbed to her battle just after she graduated from college. Her desire to help others, like her grandmother, through health crises became clearer.
During her junior and senior year, she stumbled into a job. The position was located in Cincinnati, Ohio working for a quadriplegic radiologist who specialized in breast and emergency imaging. Margaret was the hands and feet for the doctor for 13 months. It was just enough time to get a taste of what she knew she wanted to do. Afterwards, she applied to medical school in Cincinnati.
When asked why Dr. Brown chose women’s imaging, she shared, “I love many aspects of the field of radiology. Many radiologists do not have patient interaction, but women’s imaging is different. I talk to patients all day. I am able to reassure them about the things they are worried about.” She continued, “Finding out you have breast cancer is frightening, but together we can make it a less horrible experience. That is the goal of everyone in our practice.”
As she reflected about her grandmother’s breast cancer and her work with the quadriplegic radiologist, she explained how helping women through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment became her passion.
Dr. Brown shared that the biggest challenge she faces in her role is the desire to never make a mistake. “You want to catch everything as early as possible. Helping someone through something so scary while being a calm and helpful resource can be very challenging,” she reflected.
“I chose Vista Radiology because they are one of the few larger groups that embraces sub specialists and recognizes that there is space for all different types of radiologists. “Everyone works together for the best patient experience,” she continued.
Dr. Brown’s family is her cornerstone. She loves spending time with her two daughters while enjoying meals or adventures on their sailboat. You might spot her at the Friday night high school football game where she volunteers in the marching band concession stand or at local girl scout events. When she’s not walking her two dogs, she’s curled up with one of her favorite books.