Laurie J. Kirstein, MD, FACS

I performed approximately 400 procedures in 2015. I have expertise in oncoplastic procedures to ensure positive cosmetic outcomes and have done research on how best to accomplish this. Regardless of disease stage and treatment plan, I stay involved in my patients’ care throughout treatment — up to and after the time of surgery.

As a physician, it is my job to educate women about their diagnosis and to help them understand treatment options and recommendations. To that end, I have an exploratory/developmental grant (R21) from the National Institutes of Health to create a resource to educate women about their surgical options, provide medical facts, debunk myths, and offer coping strategies. By arming women with this information, I hope to help remove some of the fear of the unknown.

I understand the psychological impact a breast cancer diagnosis can bring. It affects not only the patient but also everyone around her. When treating a patient, I take into consideration treatment recommendations from an oncologic perspective, but more than that, I view the whole person to understand the emotional impact of this disease.

I truly believe it is a privilege to do what I do, and an honor to be a part of my patients’ lives.