Dr. Elizabeth M. Sawyer, MD, FACS

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• Controversies in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

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Get to know General Surgeon Dr. Elizabeth M. Sawyer, who serves patients in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

An established breast oncology and general surgeon, Dr. Sawyer is affiliated with Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She specializes in breast oncology, cancer genetics and integrative medicine.

The cornerstone of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center was laid in 1954, and the hospital opened in 1956 as a 200-bed county hospital. A half-century after its opening day, it is the healthcare provider of choice for thousands of families in the Cape Fear region. It specializes in cancer treatment and surgical services.

Back in the early days of her academic career. Dr. Sawyer graduated with her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She completed her residency in general surgery at the Tripler Army Medical Center.  A four time combat veteran, Dr. Sawyer retired from the Army after 30 years of active duty service as a full colonel.  She was awarded the Bronze Star for her service in Afghanistan as a trauma surgeon assigned to JTF-Bravo.  She feels one of her greatest accomplishments was to serve the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the United States military as well as their allies.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), she is board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.  Dr. Sawyer is specially trained in oncoplastic breast surgery and is also trained in cancer genetics through the City of Hope and University of Chicago.

In addition to breast oncology and cancer genetics, Dr. Sawyer is currently a fellow in the Integrative Medicine program at George Washington University.   Integrative medicine is a specialty field of medical care that emphasizes the integration of complementary therapies and conventional treatments.  Integrative medicine uses evidence-based, effective and safe treatments for their patients.  Integrative medicine practitioners see patients as partners and emphasize the importance of physical health as well as emotional, social, spiritual and environmental influences that affect health.

Breast oncology surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on malignant and benign conditions of the breast. Oncoplastic surgery is an approach to breast surgery that considers the cosmetic outcomes of surgery.  Oncoplastic surgery gives patients confidence in knowing they can have their cancer removed while preserving the physical appearance of their natural breasts.

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