Dr. Tene Cage’s work as a neurosurgeon has brought her close to the diverse community she serves at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Since the beginning of her training, she has been interested in how racial and ethnic disparities affect health outcomes in neurosurgery which she has actively pursued in research at Stanford. This year, with the support and partnership of Dr. Michael Lim, Dr. Odette Harris and Dr. Atman Desai, Dr. Cage was named Director of Equity Research in the Department of Neurosurgery and helped start a new program called the Neurosurgery Diversity Seed Grants to support faculty and trainees who are interested in pursuing research questions that focus on addressing equity in outcomes for neurosurgical patients.

Q: You treat neurotrauma patients at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and have been active in health equity research. What sparked your interest in this work?

My research interest is in racial and ethnic health disparities in outcomes in neurotrauma. During my residency and fellowship I became interested in researching and asking such questions. During my neurotrauma fellowship I participated in an advanced studies in clinical research program where I focused on understanding social determinants of health to better understand the socioeconomic factors that affect health. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Odette Harris here at Stanford who has done extensive research on gender disparities in neurotrauma. Dr. Harris’ support has inspired me to further my research. African-American female neurosurgeons make up a small fraction of practicing neurosurgeons, so to have an opportunity to learn from Dr. Harris and see that my goals are attainable has been incredibly fulfilling.

With the leadership of Dr. Lim and Dr. Harris, we recently started a grant program in the department called the Neurosurgery Diversity Seed Grants to support faculty and trainees who are interested in pursuing questions about equity in outcomes for neurosurgical patients. The longitudinal program supports research grants that we hope will provide a springboard to larger research grants and career opportunities for our colleagues.

I do my clinical work at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where our patient population is racially and ethnically as well as socioeconomically diverse. It is a true representation of the makeup of Santa Clara County as a whole. I chose to work in a county hospital, because I wanted to work in a setting where I could serve the community and bring high quality care to all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic position or their ability to navigate the health care system. I also enjoy teaching and working with Stanford residents and fellows as they develop in their careers.

Q: What are you most proud of?

I take tremendous pride in my clinical work and feel honored to have the privilege of connecting with and caring for my patients each day. I’m also proud to contribute to broadening the scope of data on health disparities in neurosurgery as we work to make it indisputable that these are important questions that need to be addressed. I’ve especially appreciated the support of my chair, Dr. Michael Lim, and our department’s effort to contribute to expanding health equity research.

Both of my parents are from Mississippi, my mother was a former teacher and my father an engineer. Education was very important to them and they both did whatever was necessary so that my sister and I could have the best education possible. I am proud to be able to use my education and training to provide care to patients who may not otherwise be able to access tertiary care. I’m incredibly grateful for all that my parents did to support me in my journey. I grew up just ten minutes away from the hospital where I now work, and it is an honor to be able to serve my community.

Q: What has been one of your biggest challenges?

When I started my training, research on health disparities in neurosurgery was not common or expected at the time. Basic science research dominated the academic research landscape and issues of racial and ethnic disparities were not widely discussed within the field. It was challenging to walk down a new and different path, trying to figure out how to ask questions in the right way. COVID has now thrust health equity into the public eye, spotlighting the issue as more than an academic question but as a clear public health issue. I’ve appreciated the support I’ve received at Stanford to pursue health equity research.

Q: Why do you love working at Stanford?

Stanford Medicine is such a supportive environment. I appreciate how our leadership wants to help faculty develop personally and professionally through many spheres of leadership opportunities.

This is a place where there are always opportunities to keep learning and pushing forward. In my department of neurosurgery, I value how supportive my chair, Dr. Lim, has been of my health equity research interest and how our colleagues are helping lead our discipline forward. I also love teaching and value the opportunity to help our residents and fellows learn and develop in their careers.

This article was originally published in Stanford Healthcare's MedStaff Update, with credit to Anna Buxbaum.