Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Teresa Longoria, MD, shares how water sports keep her grounded and support her patient care.

A California native through-and-through, it’s no surprise that Teresa Longoria, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Cancer Center, grew up spending a lot of time in the water. She swam, surfed, body surfed and played water polo — you name the water sport, and chances are, she’d at least tried it. “I always felt at home in the water,” she says.  

In her practice, Dr. Longoria treats women’s cancers and performs complex gynecologic surgeries. What drew her to the field was the opportunity to help patients overcome what are often incredibly difficult diagnoses. “I’m at my best when I’m with my patients and their families in challenging situations,” she says.  

And when she is finished with work for the day, she still often returns to the water where she can recharge and find that feeling of home.  

Competitive swimming was Dr. Longoria’s “first love” in the sports world, but because she was also drawn to team sports, she decided to try water polo — a sport considered by many to be one of the most difficult. Along with her twin sister, she started on a boy’s youth team, won a CIF championship in high school and went on to play water polo at Harvard University, serving as captain her senior year.  

Dr. Longoria admits that, today, she doesn’t play much water polo. “It’s one of those sports that’s only fun if you’re in great shape,” she acknowledges with a light laugh. But other water sports are still very much part of her life.  

“With something like surfing or body surfing, sometimes it’s calm and glassy, and other times it’s rough and choppy. But no matter what, there’s something peaceful about riding a wave, about using nature’s forces to move yourself forward,” she says, “I still feel at home in the water.”  

Dr. Longoria says she does see parallels between her love of water sports and her work at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Cancer Center.  

“With sports, you work closely with others on a team toward a common goal. You learn when to lead and when to follow and how to bring out the best in one another,” she says. 

“You learn how to stay composed in many different types of situations and how to meet the moment, no matter what is in front of you. That’s translated well to what I do at work, especially in the operating room,” she says. “Particularly when you know you are walking into a challenging situation, you have to manage your nerves and stay focused. I developed those skills in sports.”  

Comparisons aside, being in the water helps Dr. Longoria feel her best, feel like she’s at home — and that helps her provide the same sense of peace and comfort to her patients.