BREAST CANCER ONCOLOGIST
Sara B. Cartwright, DO
“What I enjoy most about caring for breast surgical oncology patients is the opportunity to teach about breast cancer and the shared decision-making process, ensuring my patients understand their diagnosis and treatment plan so they can make a surgical decision they feel most comfortable with." – Sara Cartwright
I am a breast surgical oncologist dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals facing breast cancer and breast health concerns. My goal is to ensure every patient feels informed, supported, and empowered throughout their treatment journey by building relationships grounded in trust, respect, and shared decision-making.
My path to surgery began while I was a medical student assisting with an emergent colon cancer case. That experience solidified my desire to become a surgeon. To me, surgery represents the ultimate synthesis of anatomy, physiology, and patient care. I have always felt that the relationship between a patient and their surgeon is unique and deserves the utmost trust and respect.
Before pursuing medicine, I worked as a registered nurse. My years at the bedside provided invaluable insight into how patients and families experience healthcare and reinforced the importance of communication, empathy, and advocacy. Those experiences continue to shape the way I care for patients today and help me create a supportive environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and prepared for the road ahead.
One of the most rewarding aspects of breast surgical oncology is the opportunity to educate patients about their diagnosis and treatment options. I am passionate about helping patients understand their breast cancer journey so they can make informed decisions that align with their values, goals, and personal preferences. I believe every patient deserves to feel confident in their treatment plan and supported throughout the decision-making process.
I completed my Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Southern California following General Surgery Residency training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I am board-certified in General Surgery and am committed to advancing the field through research, education, and collaboration. I am proud to be part of the multidisciplinary team at Oregon Surgical Wellness and Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, working alongside exceptional colleagues to provide specialized breast cancer care to our community.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my husband and young son. I am a longtime swimmer and still find contentment in an early morning lap swim. Having grown up in the Bay Area, I have always loved the Pacific Coast and the mountains. When I'm not caring for patients, you'll often find me enjoying a road trip, camping, or hiking with my family.
More About Me
Dr. Sara Cartwright sees patients at OSW’s main office – 3783 International Court, Suite 200, Springfield, Oregon.
I graduated from the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, where I received a Bachelor’s in psychology. I then pursued a biology degree at the “U”, followed by a Doctorate in Medicine. I moved to Seattle afterward for an internship in General Surgery at Virgina Mason Hospital before heading to residency at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. I was accepted into the highly competitive Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship program at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland CA, where I honed my skills. Later, after practicing general surgery for 6 years in Boise Idaho, I entered fellowship again, this time at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, to advance my skills and focus on breast surgical oncology.
I am board certified in General Surgery and have been practicing full-time since 2018. I am fellowship trained in Breast Surgical Oncology and Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery techniques. I have experience in emergency general surgery and minimally invasive robotic and laproscopic surgery.
Oncolplastic and Hidden Scar Breast Surgery
Breast Surgical Oncology
Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery
Memberships:
American College of Surgeons, Fellow
American Society of Breast Surgeons
Society of Advanced GI and Endoscopic Surgeons
I am dedicated to my patients, my community, and using my skills for the greater good. During medical school, I volunteered with AmeriCorps on the Utah Harm Reduction Project. While in residency, I participated in a surgical mission trip to the Good Samaritan Hospital in the Dominican Republic in 2017. More recently, in 2023, I traveled to Kenya to assist at Matibabu Hospital and the Tiba Foundation. Volunteering both locally and abroad is a privilege I deeply value.
Publications
• Nguyen, B., David, B., Shiozaki, T., Gosch, K., & Sorensen, G. B. (2021). Comparisons of abdominal wall reconstruction for ventral hernia repairs, open versus robotic. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 8086.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-86093-6
• Alemi, F., Shiozaki, T., Graham-Stephenson, A., Bors, A, Gastrointestinal Etiologies of Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy, In: The Diagnosis and Management of Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy, PB Greenspan ed., Springer 165-192, 2018
• Snow, BW., Wallis, CM., Feola, GP., Rampton, J, Shiozaki, T. (2014). Interventional Radiology Procedures after Pediatric Pyeloplasty and Ureteral Reimplantation in Patients with Postoperative Obstruction, Open Journal of Urology Vol.4 No.6, Pub. Date: June 18, 2014
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