Mentor Spotlight: Dr. Chantal Reyna 

About the Mentor

Chantal Reyna, MD, MHA, FACS, FSSO is a fellowship trained, board certified surgeon, specializing in diseases of the breast. She completed general surgery residency at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine and her breast surgical oncology fellowship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida. She has experience practicing in a variety of clinical settings and is the current Oncology Clinical Lead of Breast Oncology and the Section Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology at Loyola University Medical Center. Her experience provides a unique perspective in clinical program building in both academic and community settings. She speaks nationally and internationally about career development, including professional identity and branding. She is currently on the executive council for the Association of Women Surgeons and the Latino Surgical Society. She is an avid soccer fan, musical theater fan, enjoys reading and traveling internationally.

Listen to this interview on the AWS Mentor Moments Podcast or read below!

Interview

Nina: Welcome Dr. Reyna from Loyola Medical Center. You are one of my mentors—I had the privilege of working with you during my third-year clerkships—and I’m so excited to interview you today. So, would you go ahead and start by telling everyone a little bit about yourself?

Dr. Reyna: I’m a very energetic, outgoing individual who really enjoys bringing people together in any way possible, and I like to help people grow. So I’m very excited to be here with you today. I’ve been watching you grow, so I’m very excited.

Nina: Yes, absolutely. I can vouch for that—it’s a good amount of energy.

Dr. Reyna: It’s very true. It is a lot of energy, people have told me, but that’s okay.

Nina: Starting off with our first question: can you share your personal journey and what motivated you to pursue surgery?

Dr. Reyna: Yes, I can definitely share my journey. Let’s see—where did it all begin?
I realized I wanted to go into medicine when I was probably about seven years old. I was very active and played a lot of different sports—soccer has always been the main sport I played. As a result, I broke my ankle, fingers, collarbones—lots of different things—so I spent a lot of time in an orthopedic surgeon’s office. He was actually the father of a friend of mine at the time, and I remember thinking, “Oh my gosh, orthopedic surgery is amazing, and I really want to do this.” I went through school, then got to medical school, and I had this moment where I thought, “I really love this”—I did a summer program where I saw a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (the laparoscopic removal of a gallbladder). I thought it was amazing—“the intestines are amazing, I want to be in the belly”—so I decided I was doing general surgery. Then I got to residency, and lo and behold, I fell in love with breast surgery. I loved the team atmosphere, the team environment, and my patient population, and I said, “I’m doing breast surgery oncology.” So I went from being interested in the inside of bones, to the inside of the belly, to not even inside the body. As I went through different parts of my life, different things really resonated with me—the team aspect, the patient populations, the procedures—and I realized this is really where I need to be and the space I need to be in. That’s how I ended up in surgery. And transitioning from school and figuring out what I needed to do—that’s something we can talk more about if you’d like, because I’m first generation. My dad’s from Mexico, and I’m the first physician in my family, let alone the first surgeon. Not knowing that path was probably one of the harder challenges I had.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. Thank you for outlining that—I think that’s really important to note. I have a few follow-up questions for you. One being: what was it about breast that made you feel like, “This is what I want to do,” right?

Dr. Reyna: When it came to breast, it wasn’t really something on my radar. I actually hadn’t met any breast surgeons—I didn’t even know it was a specialty unto itself. There was one attending who came back after doing a fellowship, and that started opening my eyes that something was there. You can’t be it if you don’t see it. Once I saw this opportunity, I said, “Okay, I want to spend more time doing that.” So I started going to clinics in my spare time, and I made sure I could go to those cases. And when I really found out I needed to do breast surgery was when I started doing research projects and spending my extra time—not just studying, but studying breast and doing projects. When I realized this was something I would always want to learn about and always want to engage in, that’s how I knew breast surgery was for me. I love the people I work with, I love the people I get to help, and I love the patients and the procedures. Between all of those things, I couldn’t have asked for a better fit. I’m a goalkeeper—I actually went to school on a soccer scholarship, which has been very impactful in my life. Being a goalkeeper and having that team around you was a huge point for me. In breast care, you have the medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, social workers—everyone working as one giant team toward the same goal of getting the best care for the patient. That really spoke to me.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. That multi-disciplinary aspect is really special. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Okay—and then the second part of what you were talking about was being a first-generation student and how that impacted you, and the challenges that came along with it, which I think is a really important point to touch on here. Could you elaborate on your experience and tell us a little bit more about how that shaped your path?

Dr. Reyna: Yeah—so, you know, mainly on my dad’s side. My mom is from here. But I will say that trying to figure out the pathways of, “How do I get to where I want to go?”—once I learned early on that, okay, I’m going to do medicine—I don’t know anyone really in medicine. I don’t know how to get into this. All I know is that I need to study hard and do things, and this is the path I’m going to get, right? Very general items. And so I always worked hard. I always did everything I possibly could. When I was in high school, I actually went to what was called a “Minority in Medicine.” It was a week-long course where I went to a college in California, where we actually spent some time understanding sciences and learning more about the medicine process—and realizing that there are others out there, and we just need to figure this out. And so once I went to college, that was probably the hardest challenge—trying to figure out: Is there a specific major I need to take? Do I need to do this? How do I need to get to those things? And not having anyone to kind of give me that pathway or that guidance was probably the biggest part of it. So I think that was the struggle—there was no clear path that I knew of. I knew my general goal, I knew my general direction, but trying to figure out what those steps were to get to where I wanted to go—that was probably the biggest part. And so it took a lot of resources. There was a college campus group for pre-medical students. There was a pre-medical guidance counselor. Some of those things were very helpful. Some were a little bit harder because they didn’t quite apply to what I was trying to do or what I was thinking about doing. And then also, going to school on a scholarship for the first year, I actually ended up having to step back—because I knew I needed to focus on certain classes, and I could not handle both the scholarly activities as well as the sports activity. And so I made the active decision to step away from sports in order to focus on my career, which was a very hard decision to make. I’d been playing soccer since I was five—so it was over a decade that I was playing—to make that decision, because I knew what my true goal was.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. I’m sure it was part of your identity at that point, and stepping away from it can kind of be a huge loss.

Dr. Reyna: Well—and I think that’s very interesting that you bring that up in terms of identity. You know, we make up ourselves—we’re all part of different identities, and we have little pieces that bring us together. And when we step back, we always think that there’s going to be this hole, this void. But at the same time, like, no one’s ever going to take that skill set that I had. No one’s going to take the education that I’ve learned. No one’s going to take away the fact that I was good enough to become that person. So while we always worry about, “Okay, what happens if we can’t do that anymore?”—realistically, there are some things that people can’t take from you. That will always be a part of you.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that’s a really good reminder—because with different seasons of life and different things that change, you can feel that way. But it’s good to remember and be reminded that that’s not the case. I think a lot of us need to hear. So, Dr. Reyna, you mentioned that you went to school on a soccer scholarship, which is amazing, by the way. How did that impact the financial burden of medical school?

Dr. Reyna: So, it's very interesting because, you know, my family—I have an older brother. He went to a private school. My parents tried to support that, and so really, when it came time for me to go to school, I remember really clearly my parents sitting down and saying, “We don't have a lot of money to help support you to go to any kind of school. Anything that you can get scholarship-wise, etc., would be very helpful.” And so, you know, I did. I applied for scholarships. There are more scholarships out there than people realize. Just apply to everything that you can. I will tell you that I worked through college. Once I stepped away from my soccer scholarship, I ended up working through college. I ended up being a resident adviser in order to help pay for my room and board. I took out loans for medical school in order to get through that. But realistically, when it's the thing that you want to do, that is some of what you take on. Right now, I think it was very rewarding and very worth it. But what I would tell people who are interested in going into medicine, or trying to get to school, or even people who are younger trying to go into college, is that there are things out there to help support you. There is financial assistance. There are scholarships. So don’t let that be a burden to you. And don’t let money be a motivator either. Don’t say, “I’m going to medical school because I want to make lots and lots and lots of money.” Realistically, you need to go into it for the right reason, or it doesn’t matter how much you get paid—it would be a job for you rather than a profession and a career. So that’s what I would say about that.

Nina: Yeah, thank you for answering that question. I think that’s super helpful information. Okay—well, wonderful. Thank you for answering those questions, kind of talking about your background and your path. And I know you’re part of the Latino Medical Association—so would you mind touching on how medical professionals can contribute to improving healthcare access and outcomes for individuals from the Latinx community?

Dr. Reyna: So that’s a really big question and a really big topic. And I think when it comes to big things, sometimes small steps are the answer. And so little things—like, what can an individual do Part of that is: How do you make sure that your patients have as much health literacy, or as much access to appropriate information, that is digestible and they can understand it? So part of it is: How do you relay some of this very complicated information? So for me, realistically, if we have someone who is in the community and speaks Spanish, you know, we want to block out extra time. We know that it takes time to process into two languages. We also need to make sure that the language that we use is at a level that can be translated comfortably. I think in addition, one of the things is—yes, yes, I speak Spanish. Do I speak medical Spanish? I probably can get by. But one of the things that I made sure is that I want to give my patients the best. And so, while they are comfortable and they understand that—yes, they speak Spanish—we can very much have a very nice rapport. I think it’s important to make sure that we have family members present who can also help—not translate, but help support and understand—but also have translators there, or become certified in whatever medical language that we choose to do. So for me, I think it’s about small steps—making sure you have extra time to dedicate to these patients, knowing that it can take a little bit longer. Making sure you have all the resources, and making sure that you have materials in both languages, or multiple languages, is also very important. From a “what can one person do?” perspective, those are really big things. And as people do them—and as we highlight the importance of them—I think that’s even better. I know there’s a clinic—I don’t know where it’s located—but someone started a colorectal clinic specifically for this patient population, so that all the resources are there at once. They have everything in Spanish, they have translators, they speak Spanish, they have Spanish-speaking physicians who are certified—so everything is there as a resource. More things like that would be wonderful, and then you can take those models and expand them.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. I think that’s great advice—especially getting a chance now to be exposed to our community here in Chicago in a healthcare setting. Those sound like phenomenal resources and very helpful.

Dr. Reyna: And I’m going to add to that—it’s not just, and I know we’re talking about Hispanic Heritage Month and the Latinx community, but this applies to many different cultures, not just ours. Trying to understand is so important.  I’m very fortunate—I’ve made it a part of my life to try to travel and understand different cultures and different perspectives. And another part of this is that we, as physicians, need to understand that there are many cultural differences out there. We need to make sure we’re asking permission for certain things. You know—and you might attest to this—I always ask, “Is it okay if this person stays in the room while I examine you?” Just little things like that show respect, and I think that’s very important in building trust—because it really is about building trust.

Nina: Absolutely. And especially with the patients you take care of every day, that trust is so important. It’s important with all patients, but especially during such a hard time in a woman’s life. I’m sure that goes a long way. Kind of thinking about the other side of the coin—members of the Latin and Latinx community who may be aspiring physicians in medical school, thinking about residency and different career aspirations—what advice would you have for them in terms of pursuing a career in surgery?

Dr. Reyna: I would say: come join us. We always learn more, and we always love more people. Come with us. One thing I haven’t shared yet is how important your support system is through all of this. That really makes a difference. I actually had someone discourage me from going into surgery. They said, “Are you sure you can’t do one of these other specialties so we’ll have more time together?” I had to really sit down and tell myself, “This is what I want to do, and this is where I need to be.” Having that clarity—that this was my path—was essential. So number one: if this is something you want to do, do it. I support it. Other people in your life will too. My parents have supported me this entire time. They still come with me whenever I take a new position—I bring my support system with me.

Nina: That’s such a good hack. I love it.

Dr. Reyna: I really can’t explain how much support matters. For those of you going into medicine—and into surgery—it is doable. We are welcoming. I know surgery sometimes gets a reputation for being scary—I hope I’m not scaring anyone right now—but realistically, it’s a community. Knowing that it is a community, that it can be done, and that you just have to find the people who support and recognize that in you—whether that’s family, friends, or colleagues—is so important. There are so many resources out there—LMSA, LSS—all of those organizations are there to help support people.

Nina: Yeah, absolutely. And I think one of the themes you touched on is finding good mentors. You’ve been such a helpful mentor to me, so I guess—

Dr. Reyna:(laughs) I totally paid her to say that.

Nina: We’ve talked a lot about mentorship already, but are there any things you would tell students to look for in a mentor, or advice on how to go about finding one? And then also, as an established attending now—do you actively do anything as a mentor? I ask because you’ve been a great one to me, and I think it’s important to hear what mentors are doing for their students.

Dr. Reyna: I’ll start with people who are looking for a mentor. There are a lot of formal programs out there—organizations like the American College of Surgeons have student mentor programs and seed mentoring sessions. The Association of Women Surgeons and other groups are really trying to expand mentorship opportunities, especially for those who may not otherwise have access. But beyond formal programs, it really starts with role models. Who do you admire? Who do you want to be like? Once you identify that, it’s about actually reaching out—having the courage to say, “I’m interested in this. Would you mind meeting with me every now and then?” Most of us have done that ourselves and are more than willing to give back. That said, mentorship is a responsibility on both sides. Someone is investing their time in you, and you need to be mindful of that—being reliable, following up, and holding up your end. It’s a two-way street. Ultimately, you want a mentor who is invested in you—someone who wants to see you succeed, understands your goals and dreams, and is willing to take the time to help you get there.

Nina: I wholeheartedly agree. For the second part—what do you actively think about when being a mentor?

Dr. Reyna: That’s actually changed for me over the years. Early in my career, my mentoring was very structured—very much about checklists: publications, committees, milestones, and how to get from point A to point B. As I’ve progressed in my career, my focus has shifted more toward helping people develop their identity. I ask questions like: What are you trying to do? What skills do you already have? What is meaningful to you? What gives you purpose? Now, mentoring is much less about “to-dos” and much more about understanding what motivates someone and helping them feel fulfilled as they work toward their goals.

Nina: That makes so much sense. Shifting gears a bit—can you tell us a story about a patient or situation in medicine that deeply impacted you?

Dr. Reyna: Most of the moments that impact me the most happen either when I first meet a patient—when they’re scared, confused, and trying to understand what’s happening—or after surgery, when we’re discussing pathology and next steps. One of the most powerful things is being able to sit with someone who feels lost and say, “We’re on this journey together.” Helping them understand their options clearly and simply, and seeing that moment when fear turns into calm and trust—that’s incredibly meaningful. After surgery, it’s often the gratitude and relief when patients understand where they are in their journey and what comes next. Those moments—when someone feels heard, informed, and supported—are some of the most impactful experiences of my career.

Rapid Fire Questions

Nina: Favorite city in the world?
Dr. Reyna: Paris — for the architecture, culture, museums, and café life.

Nina: Favorite book?
Dr. Reyna:Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens.

Nina: Favorite fast-food chain?
Dr. Reyna: McDonald’s !!!! 

Nina: What’s your order?

Dr. Reyna: Filet-O-Fish with extra tartar sauce, French fries, and Diet Coke.

Nina: Favorite color?

Dr. Reyna: Everyone needs to know my favorite color is Purple! I’m not wearing it because I thought I can’t be that person but I have my purple water bottle here, I was wearing purple all day. 

Nina: Favorite character?

Dr. Reyna: Maleficent — purple and black, obviously.

Nina: If you were an animal?

Dr. Reyna: I’ve always really been fascinated by cheetahs. So, I think that they would be great. I think horse would also be my other one just because they’re such a versatile animal. Um, realistically, because they are beautiful, gorgeous, freespirited, intelligent, um, but they can also be very helpful, friendly, all those things between those two.

Nina: Thank you so much for taking the time to be here and for sharing all of this with us. Very happy to have you here. 

Dr. Reyna: Thank you—it’s been an honor. I know I didn’t formally introduce myself but I am Dr. Chantal Reyna Breast Surgical Oncologist at Loyola. 

Nina: And if you see a queen in purple, you’ll all know who it is! 

About the Interviewer

Nina Dharmarajah is a fourth-year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She is applying to general surgery residencies this year. Nina is actively involved in research and quality improvement, including projects focused on surgical education and patient-centered care. She serves in leadership roles within the Association of Women Surgeons, including as an Associate Outreach & Engagement Coordinator on the National Medical Student Committee. Outside of medical school, Nina enjoys baking, yoga, and building community through mentorship and advocacy.