Contact
Roles
Section Chief, Breast Surgical Oncology
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director of Breast Surgical Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Co-Leader Breast Site Disease Group, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Medical Director, SCCC Operating Room, University of Miami
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Biography
I am a surgical oncologist with a specialty practice in breast cancer and cutaneous oncology. I received my MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed my general surgery residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and my fellowship in surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. For the last 15 years I have focused on providing outstanding multidisciplinary care to patients with breast cancer and melanoma. In addition, I have fostered the development of clinical and translational research studies which will advanced on knowledge of these diseases and help to improve treatment and outcomes. As the Director of Breast Surgical Oncology for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, I am responsible for overseeing the strategic development of the Breast Surgery Program and the clinical practices of the breast surgical oncologists. This includes the development of clinical protocols for treatment, monitoring the quality and outcomes of breast surgery, and developing plans for growth and innovation in breast surgical services. I currently serve as a clinical mentor for multiple junior faculty members, several nurse practitioners, and residents in training. In this capacity, I am intimately involved in the development, review, and refinement of clinical research projects examining breast cancer management and outcomes and prospective clinical research protocols to improve patient management and reduce surgical morbidity. I am also working with several basic scientists to develop translational research protocols examining novel therapies for resistant and/or aggressive breast cancer subtypes. As Co-Leader of the Breast Site Disease Group, I collaborate with a group of nationally and internationally recognized clinicians and scientists who are breast cancer experts to expand breast surgical oncology clinical and translational research efforts, to promote the multidisciplinary care of breast cancer patients, and to increase clinical trial availability and enrollment. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
Licensures and Certifications
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Honors & Awards
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Teaching Interests
As a surgeon at an academic medical center, one of my most important responsibilities is teaching the next generation of surgeons and physicians. Much of my instruction of fellows, residents, and medical students occurs in the operating room. I utilize this time to not only teach the trainees about the technical aspects of surgical procedures and improve their operative skills, but also to review the comprehensive care of the surgical patient. I spend time reviewing the important studies in the literature that have changed patient management over time and which support our current surgical and medical approaches. I try to give the fellows and residents graduated autonomy commensurate with their level of training. I use a similar approach in the clinic, focusing on the appropriate evaluation and management and allowing the fellows, residents, and medical students to have more independence as they become more familiar with the clinical care. During clinic, I work on improving communication skills, patient interactions, physical exam skills, ability to work with a team, and professionalism. I also emphasize the importance of responsibility for patient care and lifelong scholarship. In addition to clinical experience, the Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery Groups also have several teaching conferences per week, where we review the evaluation and management of surgical oncology patients, combining clinical management with an evidence-based review of the literature. -
Research Interests
My research focuses on optimizing local-regional management for patients with breast cancer and melanoma. I am particularly interested in management of the axilla in patients with both early-stage and locally-advanced breast cancer. Currently, I am the principal investigator on a research protocol which is examining de-escalation of axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer with advanced nodal involvement at diagnosis. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of this approach in breast cancer patients with advanced nodal disease and to determine patient selection for this approach. In addition, I am interested in enhancing radiation delivery. I helped to develop and am a sub-investigator on a clinical trial which is examining preoperative accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy in patients with early-stage, hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. The benefits of this approach are smaller treatment volume, better treatment targeting, and decreased treatment duration. -
Publications
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Professional Activities
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