Surgeon Insights: Is Now the Time to Start a Program for Early Detection and Intervention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema?

Breast Surgical Oncologist and Medical Director of Informatics, Advocate Aurora Health, Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago

Ameer Gomberawalla, MD, FACS is a breast surgical oncologist within the Advocate Aurora Health system. He has authored scientific papers on many aspects of surgery and oncology, and spoken at numerous local, national, and international meetings. He has also implemented an online international screening program and is active in clinical research. His current research interests include patient centered outcomes, lymphedema, and survivorship. His clinical interests include preventive models for lymphedema, including axillary reverse mapping and LYMPHA, and integrative models in patient centered care.

Education & Training:

• Medical School, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Residency, General Surgery, St. Joseph Hospital
• Fellowship, Breast & Soft Tissue Oncology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Breast Surgeon, Nashville Breast Center, Medical Director, Ascension St. Thomas Breast Cancer Program

Laura Lawson, MD, FACS has served as the Medical Director of the Ascension St. Thomas Breast Cancer Program for over a decade. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the nurse navigation, lymphedema and survivorship care programs.  She is the past president of Tennessee Women in Medicine and is on the board of the Nashville Academy of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Lawson is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at Vanderbilt University and works with the Breast Fellowship program. She enjoys helping with breast cancer awareness activities in the community and has been selected as one of Nashville’s Health Care Heroes and Women to Watch.

Education & Training:

• Medical School, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Residency, General Surgery, Vanderbilt University
• Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology, Vanderbilt University

Breast Surgeon & Director of the Surgical Breast Oncology Fellowship Program, Cleveland Clinic, Associate Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University

Stephanie Valente, DO, FACS is a speaker both nationally and internationally and has written numerous peer-review journal articles and book chapters in the field of breast cancer and disease. She is an active member in the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Midwest Surgical Society and the Cleveland Surgical Society Past-president.

Education & Training:

• Medical School, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Residency, General Surgery, Summa Health System
• Fellowship, Surgical Breast Oncology, University of Southern California