Meet Radiation Oncologist Justin Voog, MD PhD

What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed look at the people delivering care in our community and what continues to motivate them every day.

Meet Radiation Oncologist Justin Voog, MD PhD

Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and how did you select your specialty? 

A. I was drawn to medicine following a ‘eureka moment’ of discovery as a summer intern at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. That initial spark ignited a primary goal to translate scientific discovery into improved patient therapies. Following completion of a Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), I found Radiation Oncology to be an ideal specialty given my interest to combine cutting edge technology, scientific research, longitudinal patient care, and the opportunity to work with a multi-disciplinary team to fight cancer. 

Can you share a moment in your career that profoundly impacted you? 

A dated yellow note sits on my desk with my mother’s pathology results (ER-, PR-, Her2-), shorthand for a “triple negative” breast cancer. Helping my mother navigate care provided a new perspective on cancer. Her journey started with diagnosis in rural Minnesota, surgery at the Mayo Clinic, radiation therapy (RT), and immunotherapy in Santa Barbara. We gained insight into multiple facets of cancer management including early detection, access to care, patient advocacy, and (thankfully) surveillance – as she remains cancer free. The appreciation we have for her care team in Santa Barbara is unmatched. 

What medical advancements, innovations, technologies do you incorporate into your treatment of patients? 

My main clinical focus is caring for men with prostate cancer. I have extensive experience with various radiation therapy (RT) techniques including stereotactic body RT (SBRT) which relies on sophisticated technology to deliver short-course, high-dose, and sub-millimeter accurate treatment. Working with a talented team, we strive for continued enhancements in RT precision, speed, safety, and adaptability. I utilize recent advances in cancer imaging, genetic profiling, and artificial intelligence to tailor treatments for my patients. As a clinical investigator, I partner with research staff and medical colleagues to contribute to the design and evaluation of novel therapies. Our ongoing efforts include interrogating the role of RT in patients with metastatic disease, modifying treatment intensity based on tumor biology, and assessing SBRT in recurrent prostate cancer. These commitments are based on a desire to continually adopt superior treatments for all patients. 

Who has been a mentor or role model in your life, and what did you learn from them?

Having confidence to ask important questions is paramount to discovery, and the ability to change direction based on evidence is the key to progress. An early mentor (Brian Kobilka, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) was a model to combine curiosity and persistence to solve complex problems. 

What is something you are currently learning or exploring outside of medicine? 

Competitive sports were a big part of my life growing up, and it has been a joy to get back into team athletics with my children. I have recently started tennis lessons to keep up with my wife and kids on the court! 

If you were not a physician, what is another career you could see yourself in? 

A professor/director leading a research team towards the goal of high-impact transformative discoveries. Alternatively, GM of the Los Angeles Lakers.  

As Sansum Clinic begins a new chapter as part of Sutter Health, we remain united by a shared mission: to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the communities we serve. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare on the Central Coast.

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