Lisa R. Allen, MD
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Areas of Expertise
Conditions I Treat
- Breast cancers and conditions
My Specialties
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Hidden scar technique
Get to Know Me
I wanted to work in the field of medicine since I was a child and found inspiration after volunteering at a hospital as a teenager. From the very first time that I stepped into the operating room during my surgical rotation in medical school, I knew I was going to be a surgeon. I have also always been interested in art and have a degree in sculpture, so I am adept at working with my hands. Surgery and sculpture tie in nicely together.
I see patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth and Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge in New Jersey. I operate at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth in New Jersey and the Josie Robertson Surgery Center in Manhattan. I treat both men and women for all types of breast cancer. I routinely use minimally invasive surgical techniques that involve making smaller incisions. Using the hidden scar approach, I can achieve excellent cosmetic results for my patients. I also perform surgery for high-risk lesions that carry a potential risk for breast cancer.
I support my patients throughout the entire process of initial diagnosis and surgical treatment. I work to establish a trusting relationship and try to break down complex terminology so that patients can better understand their diagnosis and options for treatment.
Every patient is different. Not only is their cancer diagnosis different, but how they approach the diagnosis and treatment plan can differ from person to person. I tailor each patient’s treatment plan as well as my conversations with them in a way that best supports their needs and life circumstances.
I am a member of the ethics committee of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. I am also a site surveyor for the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the Commission on Cancer, a group of professional organizations run by the American College of Surgeons, that are dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for people with cancer. As a site surveyor, I visit other institutions across the country to ensure that they are following the appropriate standards of care and quality metrics.
I have an interest in the social determinants of health and have worked with diverse populations of patients. I am also interested in examining how artificial intelligence can play a role in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. My goal is to make a global impact on the health of women with breast cancer, and working at an institution like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center helps me achieve that goal.
Outside of work, I love reading and art. I also enjoy spending time with my children, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
I'm a breast surgeon, which is a doctor with special training in breast surgery.
- Associate Attending Physician
Conditions I Treat
- Breast cancers and conditions
My Specialties
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Hidden scar technique
Education
- Bachelor of Science, State University of New York, Binghamton
- Doctorate of Medicine, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University
Residencies
- General Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine
Fellowships
- Breast Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery
Awards and Honors
- Exceptional Women in Medicine, Philadelphia Magazine (2023, 2024)
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2023
- Jersey's Best - Top Doctors for Cancer (2023, 2024)
- New York Magazine: Top Doctors (2023, 2024)
- Jersey's Best Magazine Top Doctors & Top Doctors for Women's Health (2023)
Insurance Information
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In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
TBD
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
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Contact and Location
Dr. Allen sees patients at three locations.
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Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Allen LR, Lago-Toro CE, Hughes JH, Careaga E, Brown AT, Chernick M, Barrio AV, Frazier TG. Is there a role for MRI in the preoperative assessment of patients with DCIS? Ann Surg Oncol. 2010 Sep;17(9):2395-400. doi: 10.1245/s10434-010-1000-9. Epub 2010 Mar 9. PMID: 20217259.
Bedrosian I, Xing Y, Abdel Rahman S, Allen L, Le-Petross H, Whitman GJ, Meric-Bernstam F, Hunt KK, Babiera GV, Cormier JN. A Cost Analysis of Preoperative Breast MRI Use for Patients with Invasive Lobular Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2016 Jan;23(1):23-9. doi: 10.1245/s10434-015-4710-1. Epub 2015 Jul 9. PMID: 26156655.
Teller P, Nguyen TT, Tseng J, Allen L, Matsen CB, Bellavance E, Kaufman D, Hieken T, Nagel S, Patten C, Pomerenke L, Tevis SE, Sarantou T. Innovation in Breast Surgery: Practical and Ethical Considerations. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Oct;29(10):6144-6150. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12136-5. Epub 2022 Jul 19. PMID: 35854028.
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Allen’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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