From Patient to Leader: Cancer Survivor Shaping Future of Care

As both a cancer survivor and a leader helping expand access to world-class cancer care, Danielle McLaughlin brings a deeply personal perspective to work at UC San Diego Health.

Before joining UC San Diego Health as a staff member, McLaughlin was a patient. She experienced firsthand the uncertainty and life-changing decisions of a major health event when she was diagnosed at age 16 with a rare soft tissue cancer called synovial sarcoma.

Today, she remains a patient within the health system, relying on a network of providers that includes primary care, orthopedics and cancer specialists. Those decades of experience as a patient informed a unique perspective on the importance of coordinated, compassionate care and continue to shape her work as the director of patient access, clinical operations and supportive care.

Early-Life Cancer Diagnosis

As a teenager, McLaughlin was an active, sociable athlete who played soccer. She had been experiencing pain in her left foot for a number of years and she and her family explored different diagnoses. The pain in her foot was eventually identified as synovial sarcoma.

Synovial sarcoma is particularly challenging to diagnose as symptoms often develop gradually and may go unnoticed for months or even years. Patients commonly experience a growing lump with swelling or pain near a joint which can interfere with everyday activities. A rare cancer of the body's soft tissues, synovial sarcoma requires specialized treatment and long-term follow-up care.

"We had to keep pushing for answers when my pain wasn't resolving with the recommended treatments. It took persistence and advocacy to get the right diagnosis," McLaughlin said. "That experience has always stayed with me. When I think about adolescents and young adults, or any patient for that matter, navigating the health care system, I understand how hard it can be to advocate for yourself and keep pushing when you know something isn't right."

The sarcoma diagnosis marked the beginning of years of treatment and difficult decisions.

"There are so many unknowns. You're trying to process the diagnosis while also figuring out where to go, who to call and what comes next," said McLaughlin.

Her family sought expert care at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, one of the nation's National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers for her radiation treatments. While there, a multidisciplinary team at the sarcoma treatment center helped them through the process.

During her junior year of high school, McLaughlin tried to keep up with school and have some version of a normal teenage life despite going to radiation treatment appointments during the school day.

Life After Amputation: Recovery and Returning to Sports

In some cases, synovial sarcoma can invade surrounding tissues, requiring extensive surgery to remove the cancer and reduce the risk of it spreading or returning. For McLaughlin, this required a life-changing procedure at Rady Children's Health: the amputation of her leg below the knee that would require her to adapt to a new way of living.

"I was young. I didn't know what to expect," she said. "At first you can still feel your limb, which is very weird, but as time went on, I had to learn to live life with a disability."

By the start of her senior year, McLaughlin had recently undergone her amputation and was using crutches. She was determined to return to sports. She received comprehensive care throughout the process, including primary care with a sports medicine physician, oncology treatments, physical rehabilitation and more.

"There's a strong relationship between patients and providers at UC San Diego Health. I've gotten to experience it throughout many facets of the health system, whether it be through primary care, orthopedics and other specialty care," McLaughlin said. "I was able to adapt to physical activities through the support of great physicians, family, friends, my prosthetist and a strong community of people around me."

McLaughlin leaned on her community for encouragement and to become a competitive paratriathlete. She has since completed marathons, embraced new athletic challenges, including rock climbing, cycling, trail running and more, and has also become an advocate for adaptive athletes.

From Patient to Health Care Leader

McLaughlin's experience as a patient profoundly influenced the course of her career.

After college, she began working at UC San Diego and later transitioned to UC San Diego Health, where she found herself drawn to work that directly affects patients and families.

Having personally navigated the difficult decisions and emotional challenges that accompany a cancer journey, McLaughlin understands what patients and families need during times of uncertainty. In her role as director of patient access, clinical operations and supportive care for cancer services, McLaughlin has helped lead major initiatives supporting cancer center development.

"I think a lot about whole-person care. I am fortunate to oversee an incredible supportive care program and team that includes social work, patient navigation and other services for patients and their caregivers," McLaughlin said. "Cancer impacts so much more than a person's physical health and those services are an important part of how we care for our patients."

Matthew Jenusaitis, chief administrative officer (CAO) of oncology and radiation therapy, and CAO of program and business development, has witnessed firsthand the impact McLaughlin has had on patients and the growth of cancer care programs.

"Danielle represents the very best of what we aspire to be: an exceptional operational leader whose commitment to our patients is deeply personal," Jenusaitis said. "As both our cancer center director of operations and a cancer survivor, Danielle has transformed patient access across cancer services, helping ensure that patients get to the care they need quickly, with 70% of our new patients now seen within seven days."

When someone is receiving cancer treatment, every appointment is vital. The travel, time away from work and disruption to family life are all factors. The closer patients can receive care to home, the more manageable that journey can become.

McLaughlin has contributed to the growth of services in North County, including Vista; the opening of the McGrath Outpatient Pavilion in Hillcrest, which provides extensive outpatient cancer and specialty care services; and the recent completion of a Joint Powers Authority to form Palomar UC San Diego Health, creating new opportunities for cancer care collaboration in North County.

This work matters deeply to McLaughlin. It helps patients access comprehensive cancer care closer to home, including community oncology specialists, infusion services, radiation oncology and opportunities to participate in clinical trials while helping them navigate a complex health system and connect with supportive services throughout their treatments.

"I feel really honored that we are able to expand cancer care into more of our communities. I know how disruptive cancer can be, so being able to bring exceptional care closer to where patients live and work really matters to me," McLaughlin said.

Health Care Home Runs

Major League Care

As the Official Health Care Provider of the San Diego Padres, UC San Diego Health brings the same major league care it provides to professional athletes to families across San Diego.

In addition to care, UC San Diego Health partners with the Padres to recognize employees whose work makes exceptional care possible every day through the Health Care Home Runs program. Each honoree is celebrated with a VIP gameday experience at Petco Park, as a way of expressing gratitude to the people who show up in ways big and small to serve this community.