Jonathan Sorah, MD is an assistant professor in the Division of Oncology. As a medical oncologist, Dr. Sorah focuses on gastrointestinal and skin cancers, delivering compassionate, thoughtful, and evidence-based care. He strives to be an advocate for his patients and considers it a great honor to walk alongside patients through their cancer journeys.
What brought you to UNC Medical Center?
I first came to UNC for residency back in 2017 then stayed on for my medical oncology training. I was drawn here by the overwhelming environment of collegiality and academic excellence as well as UNC’s focus on taking care of the people of North Carolina. Having been here for five years, I see more and more that what brough me here initially continues to be true. I would not be the physician I am today without the excellent training I’ve had, and it’s so wonderful to see UNC really take care of it’s patients to the best of its ability.
Where are you from?
Mechanicsville, VA (a suburb of Richmond)
Did you always want to be a doctor?
I remember back to kindergarden thinking that I wanted to be a doctor, though had no concept of what that actually meant. As time went on and I realized my love for science and people, I discovered that it was truly a career that aligned well with me personally and professionally. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!
How did you choose your specialty?
From the beginning of medical school, I had a suspicion that I wanted to be a medical oncologist. Initially drawn in by a love for building relationships with patients and helping them and their families in times of hardship, I later discovered an interest in cancer biology and therapeutics that made it an easy choice for my career path.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I love connecting with patients and their loved ones. It brings me great joy to get to know my patients, what brings them joy, their fears, and their goals regardless of their cancer outcome. It is an incredibile privilege for me to walk with my patients through their cancer journeys. I also love working with trainees, watching them have “lightbulb moments,” and seeing their growth in knowledge, communication skills, and collaboration is the best. Lastly, it is rewarding to work with an amazing team of mentors, other providers, nurses, clinic staff, etc that make patient care the top priority every day.
What are some of the new developments in your field of specialty?
My interests in oncology are GI cancers and melanoma, particularly use of immunotherapy in these entities. It’s been quite exciting to see how immunotherapy, initially really only used in melanoma, has found its way into nearly every cancer I treat. There are many ongoing trials to determine new uses and sequences for immunotherapy in cancer to provide patients with durable responses or even cures.
Is there a particular achievement (professional or personal) that has been most gratifying to you?
My wife and I have two wonderful sons (ages 3 and 1) and taking care of them is the best (and most challenging!) thing I do every day.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never forget that a normal day for you in clinic or the hospital could be your patient’s worst nightmare. Remember that as you interact with your patients and families.
If you weren’t a physician, what would you like to be doing?
I would probably be a high school chemistry teacher and track coach. I still carry around a little wallet-size periodic table just in case (though it is collecting some dust now).
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love distance and trail running, a good hike either locally or out in the mountains (just went to Raven Rock State Park which I highly recommend), and cooking/grilling. I also enjoy making cocktails though am an amateur at best.
What was the last book you read?
I think it was probably Brown Bear, Brown Bear. My kids love to read. For pleasure, I most recently finished the Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Not the most uplifting book, but it gave me a context for all the advances in cancer and the exciting time that I am joining the field.