USTA Arkansas would like to thank all the Heroes in our Arkansas Tennis Community! If you know of a Hero in our community we could highlight please email Brittany@ArkTennis.com.
October 2016 Hero: Dr. Thad Beck, Doctor in Northwest Arkansas
Dr. Beck, oncologist and medical director of clinical research at Highlands Cancer Centers (HOG) is leading a vaccine trial to shrink breast cancer tumors and prevent recurrence with eligible patients. Click here to read more.
Why did you want to become a Doctor? The desire to serve.
Where do you practice? Highlands Cancer Centers in Fayetteville and Rogers
Why did you decide to specialize in Oncology? I enjoyed the biology of cancer and the advances that were occurring 30 years ago when I was training.
What hardships did you have to overcome during your pursuit of your career? I could not play as much tennis as I wanted.
What schools did you attend? UAF/ UAMS/ Duke
How did it feel when you received your doctoral degree? Relief to have finished school and anxiety about new training as an intern.
How long have you been in practice? 25 years
What is your favorite part of the job? Finishing someone’s treatment or telling people they are cured.
After retiring what do you want to do? Play more tennis.
What advice would you give a student aspiring to become a doctor? You must enjoy learning new things since 90% of what is taught today will be different in ten years.
Did you have another career goal before your pursuit of being a doctor? If yes… why did you change? I was going to be a physicist. Flipped a coin and went to med school instead.
What legacy do you want to leave behind? New research knowledge or a new treatment.
What keeps you coming back day after day? It is what I have done for 25 years, each day is a new adventure and I am still learning something new every day.
If you were a superhero, what power would you have and why? I don’t know my superheroes , but I would like to have prescience.
Do you have any personal heroes? My parents that set my foundation in life and my wife that grounds me in reality.
When did you start playing tennis? Age 12 years.
What is your favorite shot in tennis? My serve.
What do you like about the game of tennis? Exercise and strategy.
What is your favorite USTA League and/or USTA Tournament? I love all the USTA leagues and I especially like the US Open.
SEPTEMBER 2016 USTA ARKANSAS HERO
AUGUST 2016 USTA ARKANSAS HERO
JULY 2016 USTA ARKANSAS HERO
