Dr. Beeson is an assistant professor in our oncology service
Tell us about your background.
I grew up in Minnesota and went to the University of Minnesota for my bachelor’s, DVM, and PhD degrees. After vet school, I did a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University, followed by a medical oncology residency at Colorado State University. Now that that’s all over, I’m excited to be joining the oncology team here at the University of Illinois!
How did you become interested in oncology?
I started vet school thinking I was going to be an equine ambulatory vet, but that plan changed a lot over the next few years. My fourth year of vet school started in the spring of 2020, right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the first few services to allow students back into the hospital that year was the oncology service, so I signed up for the rotation.
I wish I had a better explanation other than to say that I just knew right away that it was what I wanted to do with my career. I dropped all of my large animal rotations and rearranged my schedule to spend as much time as I could in the small animal hospital before match time.
No regrets. I do still love horses, though!
Tell us about a favorite case of yours.
My favorite cases have always been ones that have allowed me a chance to connect and form a trusting relationship with the patient and their owners. It’s difficult to pick just one, but a clinical trials patient I worked with frequently as a resident sticks out.
She was a Doberman with osteosarcoma that reminded me a lot of my first dog. It was very rewarding to see her owners’ care and dedication as they navigated the process of trial participation, and then to be able to be there for them when it came time to say goodbye.
What are your special interests inside or outside of the clinic?
Inside the clinic, I am especially passionate about finding ways to improve patient care, safety, and outcomes. My research interests are cancer genetics and precision medicine. Outside of work, I am usually training for a marathon or reading a good book these days. My partner and I enjoy spending time outside, hiking, camping, and traveling, especially to places with good scuba diving.
