Meet Elizabeth FitzSullivan, M.D.
Elizabeth FitzSullivan, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.S.S.O.
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Dr. FitzSullivan
Dr. FitzSullivan is a breast fellowship trained surgical oncologist who specializes in the management of both benign and malignant conditions of the breast. She earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California and completed her General Surgery training at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. Her belief in the importance of specialized training and multidisciplinary care led her to pursue a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she holds an academic appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. FitzSullivan prides herself on providing compassionate care while helping her patients understand their options in order to design a treatment plan which works best for each individual patient.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Medical Director, Northwest Surgical and Specialty Care, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Section Chief BSO HALs, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Medical Director, Northwest Houston Surgical and Specialty Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Section Chief BSO HALs, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calfornia, US, Medical Degree |
| 2001 | California State University, Long Beach, California, US, Biology and Kinesiology, Bachelor of Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Fellow, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2008-2010 | Fellow, Cardiothoracic Research Fellowship, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington |
| 2005-2012 | Resident, General Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2028 | AHA Basic Life Support |
| 2017 | DEA |
| 2013 | General Surgery by American Board of Surgery |
| 2012 | Texas State Medical Board |
| 2009 | Washington State Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2025
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2013 - 2019
Breast Surgical Oncology Fellow, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2012 - 2013
Clinical Specialist, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2012 - 2013
Other Professional Positions
Houston Area Location-Woodlands Interdisciplinary Tumor Board, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Chair), Houston, TX, 2019 - Present
Consultant for Surgery Provider Quality Assessment & Peer Review Process, MD Anderson Physicians Network, Houston, Texas, 2018 - 2024
Houston Area Location-Woodlands Interdisciplinary Tumor Board, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Faculty Lead), Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, BSO Engagement Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, External Provider Referral Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2026
Member, Northwest Houston Surgical and Specialty Care Operating Room Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Procedural Area QAPI Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Diagnostic Imaging New Patient Workflow Alignment Workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Operating Room Functions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Procedural and Therapeutics Division Managers Forum, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Safety Officer, Northwest Houston Surgical and Specialty Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Diagnostic Imaging Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Northwest Houston Surgical and Specialty Care Leadership Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2023
Co-chair, Northwest Houston Surgical and Specialty Care Clinical Readiness Subgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2023
Leadership Group Member, Women's Center of Excellence Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2023
Member, Breast Service Line Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Breast Access Navigation Subgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2020
Breast Surgical Oncology Houston Area Location Representative, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology Representative, Division of Surgery Cancer Network Operations Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2023
Member, Breast Program Leadership Team, Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - Present
Member, Demand Generation: Breast SWAT Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Executive Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - Present
Member, Regional Practice Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2021
Member, Operational Development and Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2018
Member, Provider Technology Testing Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2018
Member, MD Anderson Innovative Space Advisory Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - 2018
Committee Member, MD Anderson The Woodlands Development Fund Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2022 - 2026 | Texas Super Doctor, Super Doctors in Texas |
| 2019 - 2021 | Texas Rising Star - Oncology, Super Doctors in Texas |
| 2019 | Top 3 Nominee Physician of the Year 2019, CHI St. Luke's The Woodlands |
| 2017 - 2019 | MD Anderson Top Performer |
| 2013 | Conquer Cancer Foundation of American Society Clinical Oncology Merit Award |
| 2009 | Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship, Thoracic Surgery Scholarship |
| 2009 | Schilling Resident Research Award, University of Washington |
| 2005 | Resident Research Award, Southwest Surgical Congress |
| 1996 - 2001 | Summa Cum Laude, California State University |
| 1996 - 2001 | Presidents Honor List, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
| 1996 - 2000 | Golden Kay National Honors Society, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
| 1996 - 2000 | Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2011. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation With Novel Anastomotic Technique. Conference. Annual Visiting Scholar in Thoracic Surgery. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2010. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation With Novel Anastomotic Technique. Conference. Annual Visiting Scholar in Thoracic Surgery. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2010. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation With Novel Anastomotic Technique. Conference. Schilling Resident Research Symposium. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2009. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning Confers Ischemia Tolerance in the Lung Primarily through a MyD88-Independent Pathway. Conference. Annual Visiting Scholar in Thoracic Surgery. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2009. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning Confers Ischemia Tolerance in the Lung Primarily through a MyD88-Independent Pathway. Conference. Schilling Resident Research Symposium. Seattle, Washington, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2005. Improving Acid-Base Analysis in Critically Ill Surgical Patients: The Physiochemical Approach. Conference. Pacific Coast Surgical Association. Laguna Beach, California, US.
- 2005. Use of Serum Bicarbonate Measurement in Place of Arterial Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Conference. Pacific Coast Surgical Association. Laguna Beach, California, US.
- 2005. Serum Bicarbonate May Replace the Arterial Base Deficit in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Conference. Southwest Surgical Congress. San Antonio, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2013. Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Mastectomy without Axillary Dissection. Conference. American Society of Clinical Oncoloy-Breast. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Transcervical Mediastinal Lymph Node Dissection for Esophageal Cancer. Invited. American Gastroenterology Endoscopic Surgeons. Hollwood, FL, US.
International Presentations
- 2013. Incidence and Consequence of Close Margins for DCIS Treated with Mastectomy. Invited. Society of Surgical Oncology. National Harbor, US.
- 2009. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning Confers Ischemia Tolerance in the Lung Primarily through a MyD88-Independent Pathway. Invited. Western Thoracic Surgical Association. Banff.
- 2005. Discordance Between Lactate and Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: Which One Do You Trust?. Invited. North Pacific Surgical Association. Vancouver.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Zaveri S, Everidge S, FitzSullivan E, Hwang R, Smith BD, Lin H, Shen Y, Lucci A, Teshome M, Sun SX, Hunt KK, Kuerer HM. Extremely Low Incidence of Local-Regional Recurrences Observed Among T1-2 N1 (1 or 2 Positive SLNs) Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Upfront Mastectomy Without Completion Axillary Node Dissection. Ann Surg Oncol 30(12):7015-7025, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37458948.
- Zaveri S, Everidge S, FitzSullivan E, Hwang R, Smith BD, Lin H, Shen Y, Lucci A, Teshome M, Sun SX, Hunt KK, Kuerer HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Extremely Low Incidence of Local-Regional Recurrences Observed among T1-2N1 (one or two Positive SLNs) Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Upfront Mastectomy without Completion Axillary Node Dissection. Ann Surg Oncol 30(12):7141-7142, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37612547.
- Tevis SE, Bassett R, Bedrosian I, Barcenas CH, Black DM, Caudle AS, DeSnyder SM, Fitzsullivan E, Hunt KK, Kuerer HM, Lucci A, Meric-Bernstam F, Mittendorf EA, Park K, Teshome M, Thompson AM, Hwang RF. OncotypeDX Recurrence Score Does Not Predict Nodal Burden in Clinically Node Negative Breast Cancer Patients. Annals of Surgical Oncology:1–6, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30556120.
- FitzSullivan E, Bassett RL, Kuerer HM, Mittendorf EA, Yi M, Hunt KK, Babiera GV, Caudle AS, Black DM, Bedrosian I, Reyna C, Teshome M, Meric-Bernstam F, Hwang R. Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Mastectomy Without Axillary Therapy. JAMA Surgery, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- FitzSullivan E, Lari S, Smith B, Caudle A, Kirshnamurthy S, Lucci A, Mittendorf E, Babiera G, Black D, Wagner J, Bedrosian I, Woodward W, Gainer S, Hwang R, Meric F, Hunt K, Kuerer H. Incidence and Consequence of Close Margins in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Treated with Mastectomy: is Further Therapy Warranted?. Ann Surg Oncol 20(13):4103-12, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- FitzSullivan E, Gries CJ, Phelan P, Farjah F, Gilbert E, Keech JC, Wood DE, Raghu G, Mulligan MS. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation with Novel Anastomotic Technique. Ann Thorac Surg 92(1):309-15, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- McCourtie AS, Merry HE, Wolf PS, FitzSullivan E, Keech JC, Farivar AS, Mulligan MS. Synergistic Protection in Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury with Calcineurin and Thrombin Inhibition. Ann Thorac Surg 89(6):1766-71, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Merry HE, Wolf PS, FitzSullivan E, Keech JC, Mulligan MS. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning is Protective in Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. J Heart Lung Transplant 29(4):471-8, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- McCourtie AS, Farivar AS, Wooley SM, Merry HE, Wolf PS, Mackinnon-Patterson B, Keech JC, FitzSullivan E, Mulligan MS. Alveolar Macrophage Secretory Products Effect Type 2 Pneumocytes Undergoing Hypoxia and Regeneration. Ann Thorac Surg 86(6):1774-9, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Martin MJ, FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Brown CV, Demetriades D, Long W. Discordance Between Lactate and Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: Which One Do You Trust?. Am J Surg 191(5):625-30, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Demetriades D, Asensio J, Martin MJ. Serum Bicarbonate May Replace the Arterial Base Deficit in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Am J Surg 190(6):941-6, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Martin MJ, FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Berne TV, Towfigh S. Use of Serum Bicarbonate Measurement in Place of Arterial Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Arch Surg 140(8):745-51, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Tijunelis MA, FitzSullivan E, Henderson SO. Noise in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 23(3):332-5, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
Invited Articles
- FitzSullivan E, Reyna, C. The Importance of Applying ACOSOG Z0011 Criteria in the Axillary Management of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: A Multi-institutional Cohort Study. Breast Disease Quarterly, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- FitzSullivan E, Reyna, C. Breast Conserving Surgery Rates in Breast Cancer Patients with Different Molecular Subtypes: An Observational Study Based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database. Breast Disease Quarterly, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- FitzSullivan E, Reyna, C. The Value of Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence as a Quality Indicator: Hospital Variation in the Netherlands. Breast Disease Quarterly, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
Abstracts
- Tevis S, Bassett R, Bedrosian I, Black S, Caudle A, DeSnyder S, FitzSullivan E, Hunt K, Kuerer H, Lucci A, Meric-Bernstam F, MIttendorf E, Park C, Ross M, Tesome M, Thompson A, Hwang R. Evaluation of OncotypeDX as a predictor of nodal burden in clinically node negative breast cancer patients. American Society of Breast Surgeons, Orlando, Florida, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Tevis S, Bassett R, Bedrosian I, Black S, Caudle A, DeSnyder S, FitzSullivan E, Hunt K, Kuerer H, Lucci A, Meric-Bernstam F, MIttendorf E, Park C, Ross M, Tesome M, Thompson A, Hwang R. Evaluation of OncotypeDX as a predictor of nodal burden in clinically node negative breast cancer patients. American Society of Breast Surgeons, Orlando, Florida, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Bea, V, Yi, M, Weiss, A, Kuerer, H, Mittendorf, E, FitzSullivan, E, Checka, C, Hunt, K, Reyna, C. Regional and Survival Outcomes in Patients with Node Positive Disease Based on Axillary Management. Society of Surgical Oncology, Seattle, WA, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Bea, V, Yi, M, Weiss, A, Kuerer, H, Mittendorf, E, FitzSullivan, E, Checka, C, Hunt, K, Reyna, C. Regional and Survival Outcomes in Patients with Node Positive Disease Based on Axillary Management. Society of Surgical Oncology, Seattle, WA, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- FitzSullivan E, Bassett R, Kuerer H, Yi M, Hunt K, Mittendorft E, Babiera G, Caudle A, Black D, Bedrosian I, Meric-Bernstam F, Hwang R. Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Mastectomy without Axillary Dissection. American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast, San Francisco, CA, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- FitzSullivan E, Bassett R, Kuerer H, Yi M, Hunt K, Mittendorft E, Babiera G, Caudle A, Black D, Bedrosian I, Meric-Bernstam F, Hwang R. Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Mastectomy without Axillary Dissection. American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast, San Francisco, CA, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- FitzSullivan E, Lari S, Smith B, Caudle A, Krishnamurthy S, Lucci A, Mittendorf E, Babiera G, Black D, Wagner J, Bedrosian I, Woodward W, Gainer S, Hwang R, Meric F, Hunt K, Kuerer H. Incidence and Consequence of Close Margins for DCIS Treated with Mastectomy. Society of Surgical Oncology, National Harbor, MD, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- FitzSullivan E, Lari S, Smith B, Caudle A, Krishnamurthy S, Lucci A, Mittendorf E, Babiera G, Black D, Wagner J, Bedrosian I, Woodward W, Gainer S, Hwang R, Meric F, Hunt K, Kuerer H. Incidence and Consequence of Close Margins for DCIS Treated with Mastectomy. Society of Surgical Oncology, National Harbor, MD, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- FitzSullivan E, Gries CJ, Phelan P, Farjah F, Gilbert E, Keech JC, Wood DE, Raghu G, Mulligan MS. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation With Novel Anastomotic Technique. Schilling Resident Research Symposium, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- FitzSullivan E, Gries CJ, Phelan P, Farjah F, Gilbert E, Keech JC, Wood DE, Raghu G, Mulligan MS. Reduction in Airway Complication After Lung Transplantation With Novel Anastomotic Technique. Schilling Resident Research Symposium, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- FitzSullivan E, Keech JC, Merry HE, Wolf PS, Mulligan MS. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning Confers Ischemia Tolerance in the Lung Primarily through a MyD88-Independent Pathway. Western Thoracic Surgical Association, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- FitzSullivan E, Keech JC, Merry HE, Wolf PS, Mulligan MS. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-Conditioning Confers Ischemia Tolerance in the Lung Primarily through a MyD88-Independent Pathway. Western Thoracic Surgical Association, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Martin MJ, FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Brown CV, Demetriades D, Long W. Discordance Between Lactate and Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: Which One Do You Trust?. North Pacific Surgical Association, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Martin MJ, FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Brown CV, Demetriades D, Long W. Discordance Between Lactate and Base Deficit in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: Which One Do You Trust?. North Pacific Surgical Association, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitsSullivan E, Salim A, Berne TV, Towfigh S, Martin MJ. Improving Acid-Base Analysis in Critically Ill surgical patients: The Physiochemical Approach. Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Laguna Beach, CA, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Demetriades D, Asensio J, Martin MJ. Serum Biocarbonate May Replace the Arterial Base Deficit inthe Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Southwest Surgical Congress, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitzSullivan E, Salim A, Demetriades D, Asensio J, Martin MJ. Serum Biocarbonate May Replace the Arterial Base Deficit inthe Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Southwest Surgical Congress, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitsSullivan E, Salim A, Berne TV, Towfigh S, Martin MJ. Improving Acid-Base Analysis in Critically Ill surgical patients: The Physiochemical Approach. Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Laguna Beach, CA, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitzSullivan E, Maish M. Transcervical Mediastinal Lymph Node Dissection for Esophagel Cancer. Society of American Gastroenterology Endoscopuc Surgeons, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- FitzSullivan E, Maish M. Transcervical Mediastinal Lymph Node Dissection for Esophagel Cancer. Society of American Gastroenterology Endoscopuc Surgeons, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 08, 2026