Jeffrey Giguere, a rising second-year medical student at Georgetown University’s School of Medicine (GUSOM), has spent the summer as one of the first BellRinger Fellows — a program where students receive a summer research stipend and join a team within Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to expand their academic research experience and play an important role in understanding and furthering cancer treatment and care.
Jeff’s journey to GUSOM was brought about by his diverse interests. Born and raised in Providence, RI, he’s always had a passion for the humanities, particularly languages. “I studied French as a really young kid, and then Italian, Dutch, and German. So really always just loved the communication aspect of the humanities,” Jeff shared.
Thanks to the influence of impactful teachers and a significant shadowing experience with an oncologist during his senior year, however, he was able to add another passion to his list. “I had some really impactful teachers, particularly my chemistry teacher, who introduced me to the intricacies and the beauties of science,” he recalled. This experience revealed to Jeff the beautiful intersection between the humanities and science, inspiring him to pursue medicine. He maintained his love for languages, majoring in Italian while completing his pre-med coursework at Middlbury College.
Jeff’s journey to medical school wasn’t straightforward. He spent two years working in a sleep research lab before an unsuccessful medical school application cycle. While applying for a second time, he ended up joining Georgetown’s Special Master’s Program (SMP) in Physiology, a rigorous preparatory path that ultimately led to his acceptance into GUSOM. Reflecting on his SMP year, he shared, “The SMP was really hard, because you’re taking medical school courses, but you’re not in medical school. I spent a lot of late nights and early mornings focused on my coursework, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The experience was so rewarding and set me up for success as I took on my first year of medical school.”
Family has always played a crucial role in Jeff’s life. His parents and younger brother have been his staunch supporters throughout his journey. “I’m very close to my family; they’re the most important people in my life,” he said. Despite no medical background, his family has always been there to listen, encourage, and support him through the challenges of his medical aspirations. Their support was particularly significant during his first application cycle and the demanding SMP year. “If I was stressed, they were the first people I would call for advice or if I just needed someone to vent to. I wouldn’t have gotten this far in my academic journey if it wasn’t for them. I will always be grateful for their support.”
Having already completed some courses through his SMP, Jeff had more flexibility during his first year at GUSOM to engage deeper with the material and form meaningful connections with his classmates. “Having increased flexibility as an M1, I was able to make a lot of really nice friendships with my classmates, the people who might one day become fellow residents or doctors of mine. It’s been really amazing to collaborate with and get to know each other’s passions and aspirations for our future medical careers,” he shared.
This summer as a BellRinger Fellow, under the mentorship of Dr. Kristi Graves and Dr. Jacqueline Jonklaas, Jeff is working alongside his team to develop a web-based decision aid for patients with intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer. This project is crucial as it empowers patients to make informed decisions about their treatment options, considering their personal values and quality of life. The decision aid is particularly important for younger thyroid cancer patients, as the side effects of treatment can have long-lasting impacts. “Giving patients the agency to look into these side effects of treatment to evaluate their own values and essentially assess whether or not the treatment, the risks of side effects, really align with their values and what they would like their quality of life to look like in the future is so important.”
For Jeff, cancer research is not just about finding cures but also about enhancing patient care and quality of life. He believes that the combination of bench research and patient-centered communication is essential for advancing cancer treatment. “We need the bench research to happen. If we didn’t have bench research, we wouldn’t know that radioactive iodine offers some benefit to patients,” he said. “Physicians are then able to use this knowledge to communicate more efficiently to patients, allowing them to play a larger role in their own cancer journey.” This holistic approach will continue to equip future physicians with powerful tools to provide comprehensive care to their patients.
Jeff’s involvement with BellRinger extends beyond his summer research as a fellow. In BellRinger 2023, he volunteered as a Support and Gear (SAG) driver, supporting cyclists along the course. This year, he is eager to get out on the road and join his friends and classmates. “I plan to Ride at least 50 miles in BellRinger this year, but if my training goes well, I might shoot for the 100 mile ride,” he shared. His previous experience as a volunteer gave him a glimpse of the camaraderie and excitement of the BellRinger community, fueling his desire to participate as a Rider this year. “We were stationed pretty far out on the course where all of the longer distance cyclists passed through. No one needed much help from us, which is a good thing, but we were able to see the course, see the Riders pushing through their last leg to the finish, and be there in case they needed anything. Despite a few challenging hills, everyone I saw had a smile on their face. It was so fulfilling to watch, and I cannot wait to be a part of it myself.”
Jeff’s passion for languages and communication continues to influence his approach to medicine. He aims to integrate his understanding of different communication styles and cultural nuances into patient care. Recognized for his “emotional barometer,” Jeff aspires to use his skills to build strong, empathetic relationships with patients, enhancing their overall healthcare experience. “I am so excited to use my background in linguistics, coupled with my love for medicine and patient interaction, to be a resource and confidant for my future patients. Learning these qualities during my time at GUSOM has been so critical for me, and I cannot wait to continue on with this journey.”
As he continues his medical education and prepares for BellRinger this fall, Jeff embodies the spirit of dedication and compassion that defines the next generation of healthcare professionals. “There is so much work to be done, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in the developments of cancer care alongside my team. Spending the summer as a BellRinger Fellow has provided me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge into fields that will one day make me a better doctor, and I am so excited to join forces with the BellRinger community, the people who are making these developments a reality, this fall.”
Funded by the family of Elena and Barney Byrd, the Mitchell BellRinger Oncology Research Fellowship Program was named in honor of Georgetown University School of Medicine, Stephen Ray Mitchell, MD, Dean Emeritus, who has played a pivotal role in the growth of medical student research during his tenure as Dean for Medical Education at Georgetown. The BellRinger Fellows program will continue to advance cancer research and mentor the next generation of researchers at Georgetown Lombardi.
