Dr. May Tao Forging A New Future in Cancer Treatment

At the intersection of compassion and determination lies Dr. May Lin Tao, a radiation oncologist at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and Medical Director of a new collaborative cancer program in conjunction with USC Keck Medicine. After more than two decades of practicing medicine and specializing in cancer treatment, Dr. Tao has amassed an impressive amount of knowledge, both clinical and otherwise, but for her, what matters most is giving her patients what they need most: hope and help.
Dr. Tao splits her time between patient consultations, follow up visits, and “behind the scenes” work, which encompasses everything from administrative meetings to long hours spent planning out treatment plans for her patients. She monitors her patients for clinical problems, including the emotional effects that cancer treatment can have, which is a big part of her specialty as a radiation oncologist.
“The best part of what I do is talking to patients and really understanding what’s important to them and what they need,” she says. “I care about who they are as people, and I want to see them achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves.”
She believes that there’s a silver lining to be seen in every case in her line of work, even if it’s not apparent right away. A lot of times, this can manifest as her patient’s newfound resilience, or a renewed attention to their own physical health.
Of course, she also keeps a close eye on her own health, and when she’s not in the hospital or attending a meeting, she’s spending time outdoors – tennis, biking, and anything adventurous is what calls to her. She’s also good with her hands outside of the radiation room; she loves to sew, knit, quilt, crochet, and much more.
Ultimately, Dr. Tao is a clinician who doesn’t back down from a challenging case or puzzling patient. For her, it’s always worth it, no matter the obstacles that pop up along the way.
She is a physician who is as empathetic as she is determined, and it’s for that reason that she loves every moment of what she does.
“It’s always amazing to see the transformation a patient goes through,” she says. “Watching them emerge out of their treatment phase and transition to survivorship – it’s something I love.”
From start to finish, Dr. Tao is a woman who emphasizes the importance of putting her patients first, and this comes to fruition through her practice day in and day out.

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