Aireen-Ronalda Manalo Agulto, MD

I became a doctor because of my sense of responsibility for patients. It's also one of the most selfless jobs. Doctors think about patients more than patients may know. The job really does require someone willing to be selfless. I like that aspect of it. I'm interested in general gastroenterology. Colon cancer screening, as we see from the changes in age recommendations, is on the uptrend and rising. Mercy does a great job of caring for IBD patients, and we can extend that to colon cancers. We're finding cancers earlier, in younger populations. Colon cancer screening, if done correctly at the right intervals, is the one test that lets you prevent the development of cancer. Getting those polyps out is incredibly important. And it's a very safe and simple procedure. I want patients to know I love my work and being a gastroenterologist. I enjoy listening to them and thinking through their problems with them. Beyond performing the procedures, that's what I enjoy the most.