The Department of Surgery welcomes Dr. Michelle Sowden, Vermont's only fellowship trained breast surgeon.
Michelle Sowden, DO recently joined The University of Vermont Medical Center from a fellowship in multidisciplinary breast surgery at Yale University, making her the only fellowship trained breast surgeon in the state of Vermont. Her year-long fellowship at Yale had a 360 degree approach to breast cancer education. “I was able to spend time with world renowned specialists in all aspects of breast cancer care” says Dr. Sowden. “By spending time with pathologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists etc, I was able to gain a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of this disease.”
ASCO-Merit Award
Dr. Sowden has a particular interest in the needs of survivors of breast cancer. One of her projects at Yale, which garnered her an ASCO-merit award, evaluated the follow-up of breast cancer patients after a diagnosis. She is hoping to continue similar research here in Vermont, specifically looking at the differences in rural vs. urban survivors. “The University of Vermont, as a large academic center in a small state, is uniquely situated to explore these issues” she says.
Clinical Practice
In addition to her research Dr. Sowden is thrilled to develop a robust clinical practice assessing all aspects of breast care. “People think that the Breast Care Center focuses only on cancer, but we really address a wide variety of breast related issues, from high risk screening to benign masses” she says. She looks forward to developing long lasting relationships with her patients from diagnosis to survivor. “Being able to help people through their cancer diagnosis is such an honor, and one that I take very seriously”.
It is a little known fact that the Breast Care Center has an operating suite right on site! In this suite Dr. Sowden and her colleagues Dr. Seth Harlow and Dr. Ted James perform a wide variety of procedures. Many of these procedures are cancer related, however, they also treat a number of benign surgical issues such as lipoma and sebaceous cysts. If you have a patient that you would like to refer for surgical intervention in this comfortable outpatient setting please call the Breast Care Center at 802-847-2262.