The mission of the Division of Surgical Oncology is to provide expertise in all aspects of cancer surgery to patients receiving care at our affiliated hospitals. In addition, our Division is committed to providing education to health care professionals within the community and the state regarding the latest advances in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment through educational programs.

The faculty of the Division of Surgical Oncology are members of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Division members are active in the clinical, research, and educational activities of the institution, including the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern University Hospitals (William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital and Zale Lipshy Pavilion, Parkland Memorial Hospital, the Dallas VA Medical Center, and the James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center.

The faculty is involved in the development and expansion of multidisciplinary programs for the treatment of patients with breast cancer, melanoma, endocrine tumors, pancreatic cancer, primary and metastatic liver tumors, and gastrointestinal tract tumors.

The Division is committed to:

• Excellence in education by providing educational resources for students, residents, and practicing physicians by updating and disseminating information regarding the advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment and emphasizing the interdisciplinary aspects of modern cancer therapy. This includes providing a local and regional resource of consultation and referral services to community physicians regarding complex surgical and multidisciplinary issues in cancer management.
• Excellence in research by providing educational and research opportunities for students and residents to participate in the exciting advances occurring in oncology, encouraging students to consider careers dedicated to the discovery of causes and cures for cancer, and promoting faculty involvement in research aimed at the identification and cure of cancer at an early stage.
• Excellence in patient care by developing facilities such as the UT Southwestern Center for Breast Care, dedicated to the care of the patient with breast cancer. This center emphasizes early diagnosis through identification of individuals at high risk, mammographic screening, multidisciplinary treatment, and psychosocial support for breast cancer patients and their families provided within a single clinic setting.