Longtime parishioner Dr. Anthony Perre was recently profiled in Philadelphia Magazine as one of Philly’s Top Doctors – for the third year in a row. These doctors are nominated by their peers as the very best in their field.
 
Dr. Perre is the Chief of the Division of Outpatient Medicine at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). He also serves as Director of New Patient Intake and Vice Chief of Staff. Dr. Perre’s recipe for success can be found on the CTCA website: “I believe that faith in God, positive attitude, and surrounding yourself with a team of kind, compassionate, responsive, and talented people who deliver care is imperative in fighting your cancer.”
 
Dr. Perre is an example of a parish member who lives out our parish mission statement to Live, Love, and Serve in the Image of Christ. We asked Dr. Perre a few questions about his work and his faith.
 
Q: Dr. Perre, how does it feel to be recognized by your peers as a top doctor?
A: Well, it feels great, of course. I know so many wonderful doctors and I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it more than anyone else, but I guess there’s something they see.
 
Q: Your bio on the CTCA website puts God first. Is it common for doctors to be so open about their faith?
A: Well, I guess that’s a little unusual, but I know many doctors who are very religious and are open about it. We even have a doctor who is also an ordained minister and sometimes prays with his patients! But many doctors, if the opportunity arises, will share from a spiritual perspective.
 
Q: How does your faith help you with your patients?
A: I believe very strongly that you need to treat people the way they deserve to be treated and respond to patients’ needs on all levels – physical, emotional, and spiritual. A lot of people who come into my office are going through one of the phases of grief: anger, sadness, disbelief. I try to be really sensitive to that and let them know I’m here to help. It’s important not to inflict your beliefs on people, and I try to treat others with kindness and love, regardless of our differences. I listen to them and feel them out, and if they indicate they have religious faith, I can go from there. At least I can say to them, “I’ll pray for you, and please pray for me, too.”
 
Q: Did your own cancer affect your decision to work for CTCA?
A: Actually, that was kind of ironic, and perhaps part of God’s plan. At the time I was in my own practice, married with 3 small children, but I was working 60-70 hours each week. I wanted to be the best husband and best father I could be, but I didn’t think those hours were allowing me to do that. So I began looking for another position and was quickly recruited to start the hospitalist program at this new hospital in Philadelphia, CTCA. But 3 weeks before I was supposed to start working there I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
 
I called the CEO and told him I had cancer and he should find someone else for the position. He said, “You’re the right person for this job. We will wait for you. And it’ll make you a better doctor, because someday you’ll be able to hold someone’s hand and say, ‘I know what it’s like.’”
 
Q: How did your faith help you through your cancer treatment?
A: My children were at St. Jude School at the time and it was such a relief to know that all the children in the school were praying for me every day. The Lord really helped calm my anxiety during that time, and it helped me commit myself more to the practice of my faith. We were always regular church goers, but after I got cancer, we committed to never missing a Sunday, really trying to live out our faith more deeply, and being truly thankful for so much.
 
Q: Pope Francis has emphasized the need to recommit ourselves to evangelization. What advice can you give people about evangelizing in the workplace?
A: Just be honest with yourself and transparent with people and you’ll exude it. Be sensitive to others; listen to people, see in what ways they need assurance, and be willing to share, but don’t push. Especially when people are distressed, they can shut God out, so listen and respond sensitively. One effective way is to share from your experiences.
 
Q: What advice can you give to young people who are trying to find their career path?
A: I think God expects just two things from us: to have a “glass half full” outlook, and to do your best with the gifts you’re given. The advice I give to my own kids is to choose a profession that makes a difference in the lives of others, that you can be happy doing, and that you can make a decent living at!
 
There’s no lightning bolt. When I look back at my path to becoming a doctor, it was a series of seemingly unimportant things – starting with a visit to my aunt in the hospital when I was 19, and taking my mother’s advice to apply for a job while I was there. Have faith and know that God has a plan. He sometimes works through other people, so be open and willing to hear. There are no accidents. We can’t always see it, but we know we’re being guided by God.
 
 
 
Author:
Jeannette Williams
Communications Coordinator
 
 

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