 |
 |
|
|
|
International Expert in Breast Cancer Surgery Joins Hoag Hospital
March 31, 2008 - Newport Beach, CA: Hoag Hospital announced today that Melvin J. Silverstein, M.D., F.A.C.S., has been appointed medical director of Hoag Breast Care Center. Internationally recognized for his expertise and innovation in breast care, Dr. Silverstein is regarded as a pioneer in the field of oncoplastic breast surgery, a breast-conserving surgery that combines oncologic surgery (removal of cancer) with plastic surgery (reshaping of the breast). As medical director, Dr. Silverstein will oversee all clinical operations of the breast care center and spearhead the development of physician education and fellowship programs aimed at training other surgeons in state-of-the-art breast surgery techniques.
“Dr. Silverstein’s expertise goes far beyond his surgical skills,” said Vivian Dickerson, M.D., executive medical director of Hoag Women's Health Services. “He is a proven leader and innovator in the field of breast care, and has the vision to elevate Hoag’s breast program to the next level of greatness for the benefit of our patients.”
Oncoplastic surgery is a new approach to breast surgery that, in addition to tumor removal, keeps the cosmetic results of the procedure in consideration during preoperative planning. The result is successful cancer removal through scars that are minimal or hidden, and a breast shape and appearance that approximates the normal breast as closely as possible.
“Oncoplastic surgery is at the forefront of a patient-centered approach to breast surgery. It allows the surgeon to achieve what at first appears to be two opposing, but often equally important, goals for patients – removal of the tumor (along with a wide margin of healthy tissue) and excellent cosmesis,” explained Dr. Silverstein. “By carefully planning and tailoring each surgery to the individual, we are able to achieve both of these goals for the majority of women.”
In addition to serving as medical director for Hoag Breast Care Center, Dr. Silverstein will also provide experience and leadership within Hoag Cancer Center.
"Dr. Silverstein's participation and collaboration with members of the cancer center team will serve to further enhance our multidisciplinary treatment approaches," adds Robert O. Dillman, M.D., medical and scientific director of Hoag Cancer Center.
Dr. Silverstein’s extensive experience includes 10 years as professor of surgery with tenure at The Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (USC), during which time he concurrently served as director of the Harold E. and Henrietta C. Lee Breast Center at the USC/Norris Cancer Center, chief of the breast service at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, director of the breast fellowship program at the hospital, and held the position of Henrietta C. Lee chair in breast cancer research. Additionally, he served as editor of two editions of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast, an authoritative text on breast cancer.
Prior to his time at USC, Dr. Silverstein founded the first free-standing breast center in the United States, The Breast Center in Van Nuys, California, which served as both a national and international model for breast center development and operation.
As medical director of Hoag Breast Care Center, Dr. Silverstein will ensure that Hoag remains on the leading edge of all aspects of comprehensive breast care. Dr. Silverstein will oversee the center’s participation in groundbreaking research, and in exploring new, less invasive treatment options proven to improve patient outcomes while decreasing overall treatment time and side effects.
Dr. Silverstein will work closely with Colleen Coleman, M.D. (a fellowship trained breast surgeon) and breast surgeon Lincoln Snyder, M.D., both current partners in Hoag Breast Care Center. In addition, Lisa Guerra M.D., an associate of Dr. Silverstein’s from LA County-USC, has also joined Hoag Breast Care Center. Dr Guerra is a fellowship trained breast surgeon whose skills include oncoplastic surgery.
“Hoag Breast Care Center already ranks among the top breast centers in the nation,” stated Dr. Silverstein. “As medical director, my primary goal is to develop new components that elevate the center’s programs to world-class status so that patients of Hoag Breast Care Center will continue to have access to the highest quality care available. The focus will remain on bringing the latest advances in breast care to our community and beyond.”
About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (www.hoaghospital.org) is a 498-bed, not-for-profit, acute care hospital located in Newport Beach, Calif. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Hoag offers a comprehensive mix of health care services, including Centers of Excellence in cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences, orthopedics and women’s health. Recent studies released by HealthGrades place Hoag among the top 5% of hospitals in the nation for both Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety. National Research Corporation has endorsed Hoag as Orange County’s most preferred hospital for the past 12 consecutive years. And for an unprecedented 12 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as the county’s best hospital in a local newspaper survey.
# # #
|
|
|
|