Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Attending Surgeon
NCCN, Breast Cancer Panel Member
Head & Neck Cancer, Breast Cancer, Skin Cancer, Melanoma
Reconstructive microsurgery; breast reconstruction, including free tissue transfer (TRAM, muscle-sparing TRAM, DIEP, latissimus dorsi) flaps; head and neck reconstruction; extremity reconstruction; complex abdominal wall reconstruction; complex chest wall reconstruction; melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer reconstruction; perineal reconstruction; soft tissue sarcoma reconstruction
I came to Fox Chase Cancer Center in 2007 after completing my fellowship in microsurgical reconstruction. Since deciding to enter the field of plastic surgery, I knew I wanted to specialize in reconstruction. I chose this specialty to improve quality of life for patients by helping to restore appearance and function after cancer treatment.
I was attracted to Fox Chase because of the access to resources in caring for surgical patients with cancer. In my practice, I see people who have been diagnosed with various cancers, including breast, head and neck, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Often, my patients may require speech therapy, support services and treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, in addition to surgery. Fox Chase's multispecialty approach and status as a comprehensive cancer center gives these patients integrated care to meet all their needs.
My patients often have many questions. Their concerns range from choosing the best surgical option to pain management and recovery time. It is important to me to spend as much time as needed during my consultations with each person. From this first meeting through recovery, my goal is to provide the best care possible and to ensure my patients know and understand what to expect.
In addition to performing surgery, I study surgical outcomes of head and neck cancer patients to find new ways of maximizing function and improving appearance, including the use of advanced computer-aided, patient-specific surgical planning techniques. I also gather research data on breast reconstruction procedures to determine which options may be best for different types of patients.
Follow on Twitter: @FCCCSurgOnc
As a cancer survivor of over 20 years and as a mother who lost a daughter to cancer, I can say with certainty that cancer does not discriminate. Prior to my diagnosis, there was no family history of cancer and I always lived a healthy lifestyle, yet this disease affected me. A diagnosis can sneak up on anyone, regardless of how healthy they appear.
Linda Snow was active, maintained a healthy diet, and underwent genetic testing, followed by two double mastectomies and a hysterectomy. So she was shocked that even with all of these precautionary procedures that she still got breast cancer. Linda sought treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she met with her treatment team. After a long road, she is now cancer free and credits her survival to Fox Chase. "Where you start your cancer treatment really does make a difference," said Linda. "You have got to act with a sense of urgency because it can mean the difference between life and death. I unequivocally believe that I am alive today because I chose Fox Chase."
I discovered a pea-sized lump in my right breast at age 36, shortly after my father died. My father had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 19, colon cancer while in his 40s, and then esophageal cancer, which took his life at age 56. After his funeral, I felt I would get cancer one day, and as the oldest of 3 siblings, I thought I would probably be first. I was right.
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