Alumni Spotlights
From groundbreaking research and innovative practices to leadership and service in health care, our spotlighted alumni have demonstrated excellence and dedication throughout their career. Join us as we celebrate their journey, achievements, and the impactful work they do every day.
This issues featured alumni are:
Precision in Cancer Medicine
During his undergraduate studies in Canada, Jeevin Shahi, M.D., (Med ’14), explored the field of cancer care research. Collaborating closely with radiation oncologists, he was deeply involved in enrolling patients for breast cancer clinical trials. Shahi attributes this pivotal experience to igniting his passion for medical school.
“They were trying to figure out if fewer breast cancer treatments were just as effective in not just controlling the cancer, but also in terms of the patient’s quality of life,” Shahi said. “That got the wheels turning on what radiation oncology was for me.”
His journey led him to enroll for his medical degree at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Following his residency and fellowship in Canada, he returned to SLU as a radiation oncologist specializing in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Both specialties are advanced radiation techniques that deliver high dose and precise radiation treatments to help cure or control a cancer diagnosis.
“Radiation oncology is varied so you see different things throughout your day," he said. “But it is also very patient focused, and there is a technical component to it where you perform procedures and plan radiation treatment for patients.”
The treatment plans for his patients are a full-team effort. Shahi remarked that SLU’s collaborative atmosphere has improved the lives of those with complex cancer diagnoses, opened options in treatment planning and presented opportunities for new research.
Every aspect of his work ultimately circles back to two focuses, assisting patients during challenging times and guiding them through it with utmost success.
“I think this is why I went into oncology because people need you at that moment,” he said. “If you’re able to translate something complex to their level of understanding while also meeting their goals, that’s really the most important thing.”
At the Heart of the Work
Toniya Singh, M.D., has an immense dedication to the field of cardiology. As a graduate of Saint Louis University’s internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship programs, she developed the skill of deeply and passionately caring for patients. Now, she brings these values into her clinical practice, setting the standard for cardiologists caring for women as well as inspiring future female cardiologists.
Over the course of her career, she has encountered a wide variety of patients, particularly an increased proportion of women seeking her compassionate care and empathetic ear.
“One of my passions is listening to the symptoms of my female patients because heart disease presents differently in women than in men,” Singh said. “I ask about all features of a woman’s life so I can be more thoughtful in addressing the factors that have more of an impact on their health.”
Beyond the walls of her office, Singh is a leader among women in cardiology, imparting her expertise and passion to both established professionals and those intrigued by the field. She created the Midwest Women and Cardiology Symposium to share best practices with clinicians who care for female cardiovascular patients. Singh was also honored as the recipient of the SLU School of Medicine 2024 Alumni Merit Award for her work in the field.
Her primary objective is to foster greater interest in cardiovascular medicine among women.
“When we talk to other women cardiologists, we want to model all kinds of cardiology,” Singh said. “There is not one mold. It's important to display a diversity of both people and specialties to help get others excited about the profession.”
Writing for the Greater Good
Captain Gerald Nieters, M.D., (Med ’66), bravely served his country in Vietnam, yet never wanted to talk about that time of his life. However, it was a simple question from his granddaughter that compelled him to reconsider what legacy he wanted to leave behind.
“Most men that are in combat for any reason, the thing you hear most is ‘they never talk about it,’ and I never talked about it,” Nieters said. “My granddaughter asked, ‘Grandpa, what did you do in Vietnam? When I get married and have kids, I’d like to be able to tell them what you did.’ This was the impetus for my book.”
Ever the learner, he discovered a writing class for veterans that turned out to be a therapy class for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) writing. This class would teach him to write his memoir about his work as a physician in Vietnam from September 1967 to September 1968.
“It was very emotional,” Nieters said. “But it was also therapeutic when I finished because the class allowed me to put my personal feelings that I felt at the time into my book.”
Nieters initially created his Vietnam War memoir as a family manuscript detailing his journey in Vietnam, from operating rooms to field surgeries. In December 2022, after encouraging feedback from fellow veterans, he published his book, “Cryless,” with the hopes of helping other veterans who struggle with PTSD and telling their own stories.
“The one thing I want out of this book is to help as many veterans as possible,” he said.
His book is currently available for purchase on Amazon. Nieters hopes that it will positively impact other veterans now and into the future.