10 Questions with Ethan Glazener, MD
The radiation oncologist found his calling later in life and eventually fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor.
At age 28, Ethan Glazener had an epiphany. While sitting with his wife at Taco Surf in Southern California, sharing chips and salsa, she asked him, “What would you want to do with your life if you could do it all over again?” And he responded, “I would want to be a doctor.”
Early in life, Dr. Glazener was on a path to becoming a pastor. He enrolled in seminary and earned his master of arts degree in theology. But then changed lanes and bounced around among various jobs: bank teller, restaurant server, sixth-grade math, band and orchestra teacher, and salesman selling copiers door to door. He then got into pharmaceutical sales and thought this was his golden ticket, but he was left unfulfilled.
He eventually applied to Southern California medical schools and attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California. “Although the average age was 10 years younger than me, I was so stoked to be there,” says Glazener, now 42. He completed his residency at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Los Angeles.
His overall message to young people: “You don’t have to have it figured out right away. The world is not over if you miss the first bus. It’s OK to take different avenues to find yourself later in life.”
The radiation oncologist recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at Cape Cod Healthcare. He practices at Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital, where he meets with patients to discuss diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment recommendations while offering a full overview of expectations. “Having cancer is scary,” says Glazener. “I feel very privileged to be present and bear witness to my patients’ journey.”
We sat down with Dr. Glazener earlier this month at his office at Cape Cod Hospital, where he has a front-row seat to the “giant sandbox” outside his window. Larger-than-life trucks and cranes are moving dirt to prepare for the construction of the new cancer tower that will house the radiation oncology team. During our chat, he shared the mantra he lives by, his first impressions of Cape Cod and what a perfect day off looks like.
1. What brought you to Cape Cod Healthcare?
While living in Pasadena, California, my wife and I decided we would take a very broad-based approach and not narrow ourselves to anything. We have three kids, ages 12, 10 and 8, and the idea was, “How do we create the most opportunities for our children?” In the end, I got two job offers, one in San Luis Obispo (Central Coast California) and here on Cape Cod. The central coast felt incredibly familiar since we both grew up in California. It felt like we were going backwards. I really enjoyed the interview at Cape Cod Healthcare and the practice here really resonated with me.
2. Coming from Southern California, what are some of your first impressions of Cape Cod?
True story—I didn’t know people lived here, I didn’t know it was a vacation or retirement destination. That’s how little I knew about Cape Cod. I am the most extreme of washashores. I am surprised at how good the food is. I joke with my friends that it’s “bougie rural.” You’re rural, but you still have high end. I think that’s what we see in our hospital. We are a rural hospital, but because of our proximity to Boston and the demands of our patient population, we have to be high end. Patients expect us to bring our “A” game.
3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I am passionate about my family. My wife and I have been married for 19 years, and our kids are so full of life. I get to come to work and do a job that I absolutely love. Sometimes I can’t believe I get to do this for a living.
4. Mantra or quote you live by?
Love and serve. I don’t actually have control over whether my patients are cured most of the time. So rather than focus my attention on the end result or outcome, I focus on what I can control. I can love and serve these patients. I serve them by trying to be excellent at what I do. I also serve them in allowing them to be at center stage. They are the focus of my attention.
5. What would a perfect day off look like for you?
I am blessed to have a neighbor with a boat. Last Saturday might have been the best day ever. We got up early, took the whole family on the boat out to Sandy Neck and hung out there until 5. We then headed over to Fishermen’s View to get $5.99/pound lobsters and steamers, and ended the day at our neighbor’s house with a cookout. We boiled the lobsters and steamers, and had this wonderful meal. How do you beat that?
6. When was your last moment of self-care?
I am a huge proponent of mental health services. For me, weekly counseling sessions are integral to keeping me going. It is sometimes seen as hush-hush and you shouldn’t talk about it. But the truth is, life is hard and my life is hard. I struggle sometimes. Sometimes you have to be humble and say, “I don’t have it figured out.” My therapist is my emotional trainer. I get to tell them what I do and they might suggest trying a different technique.
7. Who would be your dream guests at a dinner party?
Fyodor Dostoevsky—I love his novels. I just think the world of him. Dostoevsky’s book The Idiot is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. He was such a profound writer and would be a fascinating person to meet. He seemed to understand the depths of human beings. I also admire Leo Tolstoy. There’s something about Russian literature that I love.
8. Anything you are putting off at the moment?
Exercise. My goal is to bring more balance to my life and establish more regular physical fitness self-care. I definitely want to be more consistent with general health and wellness.
9. Is there something on the horizon you are excited about?
Meeting our new niece in Colorado. She was just born this week. We have a trip planned in November to go to Fort Collins.
10. What song is stuck in your head?
My home is Taylor Swift 24/7. My favorite album is “Folklore.” I’ve been reading a book series to my daughters called The Land of Stories at bedtime and we listen to “Folklore.” I can’t say I love Taylor Swift, but I am not resistant to Taylor Swift.
