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
Associate Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA, MD, Medical |
| 2001 | California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA, BS, Biology and Kinesiology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Clinical Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2008-2010 | Research Fellowship, Cardiothoracic Research Fellowship, University of Washington, Seattle, WA |
| 2005-2012 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, WA |
Board Certifications
| 2025 | General Surgery by American Board of Surgery |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Section Chief BSO HALs, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Breast Surgical Oncology Fellow, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2013
Clinical Specialist, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2013
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | Texas Rising Star - Oncology, Super Doctors in Texas |
| 2019 | Top 3 Nominee Physician of the Year 2019, CHI St. Luke's The Woodlands |
| 2019 | Texas Rising Star - Oncology, Super Doctors in Texas |
| 2018 | MD Anderson Top Performer |
| 2017 | 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 | Presidents Honor List, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
| 1996 | Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
| 1996 | Golden Kay National Honors Society, California State University, Long Beach, CA |
| 1996 | Summa Cum Laude, California State University |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tijunelis MA, FitzSullivan E, Henderson SO. Noise in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 23(3):332-5, 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.
- FitzSullivan E, Reyna, C.. The Value of Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence as a Quality Indicator: Hospital Variation in the Netherlands. Breast Disease Quarterly, 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FitzSullivan E, Maish M. Transcervical Mediastinal Lymph Node Dissection for Esophagel Cancer. Society of American Gastroenterology Endoscopuc Surgeons, 2005.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified December 08, 2023