Chapter 11: An Unbelievable Journey at MD Anderson

In this final Chapter, Dr. Lichtiger reflects on the exciting and unexpected career path that MD Anderson gave him. He talks about how he was transformed from a laboratory scientist looking at samples into a clinician who works with “the human element.” Dr. Lichtiger retired in 2008, though he has continued to work nearly full time in the Transfusion Medicine Section. As he looks ahead to genuine retirement, he says he is thinking of getting a law degree or studying Mandarin, to keep his mind active. He sees himself as “one more soldier” at MD Anderson, noting that the institution allowed him to develop a passion for his work. He hopes that the next generation of faculty in Transfusion Medicine will carry on the tradition of seeing the field as a clinical discipline. His personal philosophy, he says, is simply to contribute to efforts to create a world that’s better for everyone.