Dr. Rache M. Simmons stands as a distinguished figure in the field of breast cancer surgery, both nationally and internationally. Affiliated with New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, she is celebrated for her groundbreaking work and innovative approaches, particularly in minimally invasive breast cancer surgery. Her commitment extends beyond just treating the disease; she is deeply invested in enhancing the quality of life for her patients through cosmetic-conscious surgical techniques.
Education and Early Career
Dr. Simmons’s strong academic foundation began at Duke University and Duke University Medical School, where she earned her medical degree. Her dedication to surgical excellence led her to the University of North Carolina for surgical training. Following this, she pursued specialized expertise through a Breast Oncology Fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Recognizing her exceptional talent and commitment, New York-Presbyterian Hospital invited Dr. Simmons to join their surgical faculty, marking the beginning of her influential career at this esteemed institution.
Career at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Since joining the surgical faculty, Doctor Simmons has become an integral part of Weill Cornell Medical College, holding the position of Professor of Surgery. She is honored as the Anne K. and Edwin C. Weiskopf Professor of Surgical Oncology and serves as an Attending Surgeon at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. These prestigious appointments underscore her leadership and expertise within the medical community.
Recognition and Awards
Doctor Simmons’s exceptional clinical skills and patient care have consistently earned her top accolades. She has been recognized by prominent publications such as the NY Post Best Cancer Doctors and the Castle Connolly Guide Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area. Furthermore, she has been repeatedly listed in Best Doctors in America and honored as one of New York’s SuperDoctors, a distinction reserved for the top 5% of physicians in New York. New York Magazine has also named her among the “Best Doctors in New York,” and US News & World Report has cited her as one of “America’s Best Doctors,” placing her within the top 1% of doctors nationwide.
Pioneering Minimally Invasive Breast Surgery
Driven by a desire to improve patient outcomes and experiences, Doctor Simmons has dedicated a significant portion of her career to advancing minimally invasive breast cancer surgery. She understands that while curing cancer is the primary objective, the cosmetic results of surgery profoundly impact a patient’s recovery and ability to return to a normal life. This understanding fuels her extensive research into techniques that minimize invasiveness while maximizing cosmetic advantages.
Alt text: Doctor Simmons specializing in minimally invasive breast cancer surgery, enhancing cosmetic outcomes and recovery.
Doctor Simmons is a renowned pioneer in skin sparing mastectomy, a procedure where she has the most extensive published experience in the New York Metropolitan Area. She is particularly acclaimed for developing the Skin and Areola Sparing Mastectomy technique. This innovative approach allows many of her mastectomy patients to retain all of their breast skin and the nipple-areolar complex. Coupled with immediate breast reconstruction, the results are remarkably natural, often making it difficult to detect any prior surgery. Doctor Simmons often recounts how it is a “compliment” when other physicians examining her patients inquire “which breast had the mastectomy?”.
Cryoablation and Future of Breast Cancer Treatment
Always at the forefront of medical innovation, Doctor Simmons was the first surgeon in the New York Metropolitan Area to explore cryoablation, a technique using freezing temperatures to destroy both benign and cancerous breast tumors. Her pioneering research has established cryoablation as a recognized treatment option for benign fibroadenomas. Currently, she is the lead investigator in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) multicenter trial evaluating cryoablation as a primary treatment for breast cancer. This research holds immense promise for revolutionizing breast cancer treatment, potentially offering a non-surgical alternative in the future.
Alt text: Cryoablation technology spearheaded by Doctor Simmons for minimally invasive breast tumor treatment.
Publications and Media Presence
Doctor Simmons is a prolific author and sought-after speaker on her research, focusing primarily on less invasive and cosmetically superior breast cancer treatments. Her contributions to the medical literature include over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters on surgical breast cancer treatment. She is a frequent lecturer at national and international medical conferences, having presented at over 100 such events. Beyond academia, Doctor Simmons effectively communicates with the public, appearing on major media outlets like CNN, CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Fox News, and ABC Evening News. Her groundbreaking work has been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal, and she was notably featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show for her pioneering contributions to breast cancer surgery.
Leadership and Professional Affiliations
Doctor Simmons’s national and international reputation as a leading researcher and breast cancer surgeon led to her election as President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons in 1999. Her leadership extends to numerous regional and national medical boards, including the Surgical Oncology Advisory Committee of the American Board of Surgery, the Board of Directors of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the Board of Directors of the Commission on Cancer, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Medical Advisory Committee for the Greater NYC Area. Her involvement in these organizations demonstrates her commitment to shaping the future of breast cancer care and ensuring the highest standards of practice.
Conclusion
Doctor Simmons’s career is defined by her dedication to advancing breast cancer surgery through innovation, meticulous research, and a profound commitment to her patients’ well-being. Her pioneering work in minimally invasive techniques and cryoablation exemplifies her forward-thinking approach to medicine. As a respected surgeon, researcher, and leader, Doctor Simmons continues to significantly impact the lives of countless individuals affected by breast cancer.
