Maria Tria Tirona, MD, FACP, is a woman of faith. Growing up in a Catholic family in the Philippines, she was determined that her life’s work would honor the Lord. As a child, she automatically thought that meant becoming a nun, like her two aunts. But when she reached high school, the two aunts had a conversation with her, making sure she was exploring all her interests and potential options.
When they asked if there was anything else she might want to do, she told them that becoming a doctor seemed interesting as well.
“They said, ‘You know what? You can maybe serve God better if you become a physician,’” Dr. Tirona recalled. “They said, ‘Become a doctor, and if you decide later that you want to be a nun, then go for it.’”
She never became a nun. She attended medical school at the University of the East in the Philippines and went on to a rich career in medicine in which she’s left a positive impact on institutions across the United States and Saskatchewan, Canada. Her longest stay has been here at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, where she was recruited in 2001 to establish the oncology program. In November 2024, she retired after 23 years of teaching, mentoring, treating patients and shaping the program into what it is today.
“Dr. Tirona has been a foundational leader to many faculty and trainees. Our existing medical oncology division as it stands today was defined by her clinical expertise, passionate advocacy for education and tireless work ethic,” said Larry D. Dial Jr., MD, chief physician executive for Marshall Health Network and vice dean for clinical affairs at the School of Medicine. “The personal touch of Dr. Tirona can be identified in all facets of medical care from our trainees, patient care and clinical trials offered by the Edwards Cancer Institute. Her journey leading us from a nascent medical oncology department with her as the sole provider to today’s integrated system of cancer care is one that should be celebrated, studied and hopefully replicated in the leaders of the future.”
When she came to Marshall to launch the oncology program, Dr. Tirona had already amassed a wealth of experience in the field that would prove invaluable. After she graduated from medical school and came to the United States, she completed an internal medicine training program at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, New York, followed by a three-year hematology/oncology fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta. She then moved to Canada for 11 years, where she served as director of medical oncology at a cancer center in Saskatchewan.
Kevin W. Yingling, RPh, MD, FACP, CEO of Marshall Health, had just begun his tenure as chair of the Department of Internal Medicine when Marshall was recruiting for a hematologist-oncologist in 2001.
“Dr. Tirona was gracious enough to visit our campus from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. She arrived with a vast knowledge of socialized medicine and how to practice hematology-oncology in a value-based practice plan,” he said. “The cancer center renderings were not even complete, but she saw the vision of (Joan C. Edwards, donor and namesake of the Edwards Cancer Institute) and what was possible.
“It was easy to see in addition to being extremely intelligent, Dr. Tirona had incredible – almost effervescent – energy,” he said. “She was passionate about the provision of hematologic and oncologic care.”
For Dr. Tirona, it would prove to be just the kind of new challenge she needed. In Canada, she had been caring for her father as he faced colon cancer. Before he died, he encouraged her to go back to the United States and find a new professional pursuit.
“After that, I thought, ‘If you’re going to do something, do something now while you’re young,’” she said. “I liked Dr. Yingling. I saw a great leader and thought it was worth the risk of joining a group where you believe in the leadership. So, I took a chance, and he, fortunately, took a chance with me. I started, and the administration was very supportive of getting me the things that I needed to launch the hematology-oncology program. It started growing.”
The program now has four physicians, with plans to add two or three more.
One of her areas of focus has been building the cancer clinical trials program, for which her previous connections served as a tremendous asset. The Edwards Cancer Institute is now a legacy member of the Alliance Clinical Network, one of the nation’s major clinical trials cooperative groups supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
For patients with cancer, that is a big deal, said Dr. Tirona, who has been principal investigator for the program at Marshall.
“With an NCI-sponsored group, they come up with practice-changing trials, and we’re able to participate in that organization and offer it to our patients without them going elsewhere to participate in clinical trials,” she said. “Clinical trials are part of the standard of care when you’re treating cancer patients.”
She also was committed to establishing a fellowship program. The hematology-oncology fellowship program at Marshall has, to date, trained 22 skilled and compassionate hematologist-oncologists, she said. Serving as its director has been one of the highlights of her career, Dr. Tirona said, adding her thanks to Paulette S. Wehner, MD, vice dean for education at the School of Medicine who also serves as Marshall’s designated institutional official for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, for her support of the program.
Current Chief Fellow Kemnasom Nwanwene, MD, said she had the privilege of working with Dr. Tirona during her first month of internal medicine residency training in July 2019.
“I am currently in my sixth year of postgraduate training as a hematology-oncology fellow, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with her all these years,” Dr. Nwanwene said. “She has played a pivotal role in shaping my career as an aspiring hematology-oncology physician.
“Dr. Tirona has been instrumental in developing and advancing the Marshall hematology-oncology fellowship program, as evidenced by the 100% ABIM medical oncology board pass rate. Through her mentorship, I have gained a solid understanding of oncology, particularly in managing complex medical cases. Her patient-centered approach, which prioritizes empathy and clear communication, has significantly improved my ability to support patients in making difficult treatment decisions.”
Dr. Tirona has also fostered a culture of teamwork and professionalism in the fellowship program, Nwanwene said.
“Her open-door policy, willingness to mentor fellows and commitment to our growth have made us feel supported and motivated to continuously improve,” she said. “She serves as a role model in balancing a demanding clinical career with a dedication to education and mentorship. I am extremely grateful for her guidance in helping me and my co-fellows grow into confident and competent physicians.”
Being an oncologist has been an incredible career in many ways, Dr. Tirona said. It’s not lost on her what a privilege it is to help patients navigate through their treatment.
“It’s a tough disease to have, and I hope I’ve been able to show the compassion that my patients needed,” she said. “I’m not perfect, but I’ve had the privilege of helping patients—not just by giving their chemotherapy, which can produce a lot of side effects—but also trying to encourage them to take one day at a time and feel positive.”
“I love West Virginia. I always say to my friends that it’s the best kept secret in the United States. People are so appreciative. That’s one thing about our patients. They’ve very appreciative of the service you provide them – we have such nice people in West Virginia.”
And Marshall has provided a wonderfully supportive work environment, she said.
“I’m very lucky, really, in my career. I’ve just enjoyed it,” she said. “Of course, there are ups and downs and challenges, but that is part of life, right? I’m a spiritual person, and I know God led me to this place. I’ll always cherish being a Marshall faculty member and the time I spent teaching medical students, residents and fellows.”
“Being involved in mentoring and teaching is one of the best things that I’ve done with my life. It has been very fulfilling. Seeing the people I’ve trained do well is very rewarding. I’m very blessed and very, very grateful.”
In retirement, she plans to spend more time with her mother, siblings and family and just be a “normal person,” at least for now.
“There is not a mentor/mentee, physician-to-physician relationship that has been richer than the one that I have enjoyed with Dr. Tirona,” Dr. Yingling said. “Her accomplishments are enormous. But the one that is most meaningful to me is that she took the risk and saw something in our humble beginnings. I thank her for what she has done for the institution and patients we serve.”
Feature Story by Jean Hardiman
Photo by Sholten Singer
Date Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
