Meet Makesha Miggins, M.D.
Makesha V. Miggins, MD, FACS
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Miggins
Dr. Makesha V. Miggins is a Breast Surgical Oncologist specializing in the surgical treatment of cancer and benign disease of the breast. She earned her medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. She then completed her general surgery residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, FL. During residency, she completed a two year NIH T32 research fellowship. After residency, she completed a Breast Surgical Oncology fellowship at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Miggins currently holds a faculty position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson. Dr. Miggins has interest in patient education, breast screening/ risk reduction, surgical management of breast disease, and quality improvement.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2007 | Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US, MD |
| 2000 | Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama, US, Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2014-2015 | Clinical Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2009-2011 | Research Fellowship, NIH T32 Research Fellow, University of Florida Department of Surgery, Gainesville, Florida |
| 2008-2014 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida |
| 2007-2008 | Internship, General Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2016 | American Board of Surgery |
| 2015 | Florida Medical Board |
| 2015 | Texas Medical |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2021
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Professionalism and Patient Experience, Breast Surgical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - Present
Associate Chief Patient Experience Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugar Land, TX, 2023 - Present
Medical Director, HAL-Sugarland/ Woman's Hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugarland, TX, 2020 - Present
Diversity Officer, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - 2023
Other Professional Positions
Breast Program Lead, Banner MD Anderson, Houston, TX, 2020 - 2021
Research Assistant, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dept. of Medicine and Pathology, Birmingham, AL, 2001 - 2002
Research Assistant, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dept. of Hematology and Oncology, Birmingham, AL, 2000 - 2000
Short Term Training Research Scholar, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Short Term Training Program, Nashville, TN, 1999 - 1999
Minority Biomedical Research Support Program Scholar, Tuskegee University Minority Biomedical Research Support Program, Tuskegee, AL, 1997 - 2000
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar, Alabama A&M University Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Program, Normal, AL, 1997 - 1997
Substitute Teacher, Eufaula City School System, Eufaula, AL, 1997 - 1999
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Leadership Development Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Committee Member, Regional Capacity Advisory Team, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Committee Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Research Retreat Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Committee Member, Grievance Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Faculty Co-Chair, Women’s Leadership Network, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2023
Member, Women’s Leadership Network Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2022
Member, Division of Surgery Diversity and Inclusion Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2023
Representative, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2024
Member, MD Anderson Ambassador Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - Present
HAL Lead, Enhanced Recovery Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - 2020
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Cancer Liaison Physician Education, American College of Surgeons, 2025 - Present
State Chair for South Texas, Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons, 2025 - Present
Content Contributor/ Reviewer, Society of Surgical Oncology- SCORE Committee, Society of Surgical Oncology, 2021 - Present
Education Committee Member, Cancer Surgery Standards Program (CSSP), American College of Surgeons, 2020 - 2025
Honors & Awards
| 2026 - Present | Houston Tuskegee Alumni Association Innovation and Impact Award, Tuskegee University Houston Alumni Chapter |
| 2025 - Present | American Association for Physician Leadership Certification, American Association for Physician Leadership |
| 2025 - Present | Top 10% National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2024 - Present | Michael M Frumovitz, MD Patients' Choice Award Finalists, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center- Physicians Referral Service and Patient Experience Office |
| 2024 | Breast Surgical Oncology Faculty Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Breast Surgical Oncology |
| 2023 - Present | Perfect Score National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2023 | Top 1%, National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2022 - 2023 | Perfect Score National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2020 | Breast Surgical Oncology Faculty Excellence in Clinical Teaching, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 - Present | Top 1%, National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2019 | Fellow American College of Surgeons |
| 2018 - 2019 | Top 1%, National Performance Rating on CAHPS Patient Care Measures |
| 2014 | Outstanding Teaching Resident Award, University of Florida Department of Surgery |
| 2014 | Hugh Hill Outstanding Resident Teacher Award, University of Florida College of Medicine |
| 2014 | Hugh L. Walters Humanitarian Award, University of Florida Department of Surgery |
| 2013 | Chapman Society Gold Humanism Honor Society, University of Florida College of Medicine |
| 2013 | Society of Teaching Scholars Resident Award, University of Florida College of Medicine |
| 2012 - 2013 | Outstanding Student Teacher Award, University of Florida Department of Surgery |
| 2011 | Extraordinary Person Feature - The POST, University of Florida College of Medicine Publication |
| 2011 | Best Clinical Research Abstract Presentation, University of Florida Department of Surgery |
| 2007 | Adolescent Sickle Cell Disease Program Service Award, Wake Forest University |
| 2007 | Gold Humanism Honor Society, Wake Forest University School of Medicine |
| 1999 | Golden Key Honor Society, Tuskegee University |
| 1999 | Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society, Tuskegee University |
| 1999 | Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Tuskegee University |
| 1996 | Howard Hughes Medical Institute Bio-Chem Honors Scholar Award, Tuskegee University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2019. One Breast or Two: Is Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Indicated in Women with Average Breast Cancer Risk?. Invited. University of Florida Department of Surgery Woodward Society Meeting. Gainesville, FL, US.
- 2018. Panelist-Achieving Career Success: Navigating the Path from Fellow to Faculty. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Panelist-Minority Faculty Leaders Round Table Q&A. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Breast Cancer 101. Invited. UT MD Anderson Sugar Land Educational Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. It's the Little Things That Count. Invited. University of Florida. Gainesville, FL, US.
- 2011. Surgical Site Infection is associated with Patient Survival at a Hospital Level: Evidence for Systems Based Intervention Surgical Infection Society,. Poster. Surgical Infection Society. Palm Beach, Florida, US.
- 2010. Disparities in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. University of Florida. Gainesville, FL, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Pathway To Surgery. Invited. GROW CELLS Cancer Summer Program, US.
- 2025. Beyond the Scalpel: Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Surgery. Visiting. Philadelphia NSQIP Consortium. Sayre, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2022. Commission on Cancer Operative Standards Overview. Invited. South Texas Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Should surgeons perform contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with average risk for breast cancer? The Great Debate. Invited. South Texas American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting. Austin, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Predictors of Nodal Upstaging in Women With Early Stage Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Considered for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Omission. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2026. Enhancing Provider Communication Skills: A Brief Primer. Invited. Advancing Learning and Innovation in Goal Concordant Care (ALIGN). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Clinicopathologic Analysis of Papillary Carcinomas of the Breast Confirms a Favorable Prognosis. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2010. Mopeds and Scooters: Crash Outcomes in a High Traffic State. Poster. Shock Society. Portland, OR, US.
International Presentations
- 2019. Guidelines in Breast Cancer Surgery. Invited. Aga Khan University 2nd Annual International Breast Cancer Symposium. Nairobi, KE.
- 2010. The Potential Influence of the Common Viral Infections, Diagnosed during Hospitalization among Critically Ill Patients in the United States. Conference. 8th World Congress on Trauma, Shock, Inflammation and Sepsis. Munich, DE.
Formal Peers
- 2020. REDE to Communicate. Houston, Texas, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2021 - 2023 |
| Title: | Method for assessing women's perceptions of their appearance in the context of breast cancer care |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Significant Contributor |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Kuerer HM, Valero V, Smith BD, Krishnamurthy S, Diego EJ, Johnson HM, Lin H, Shen Y, Lucci A, Shaitelman SF, Mitchell MP, Boughey JC, White RL, Hunt KK, Yang WT, Rauch GM. Selective Elimination of Breast Surgery for Invasive Breast Cancer: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 11(5):529-534, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40152443.
- Johnson HM, Lin H, Shen Y, Diego EJ, Krishnamurthy S, Yang WT, Smith BD, Valero V, Lucci A, Sun SX, Shaitelman SF, Mitchell MP, Boughey JC, White RL, Rauch GM, Kuerer HM. Patient-Reported Outcomes of Omission of Breast Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 6(9):e2333933, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37707811.
- Kuerer, HM, Smith, B, Krishnamurthy, S, Yang, WT, Valero, V, Shen, Y, Lin, Y, Lucci, A, Boughey, JC, White, RL, Diego, EJ, Rauch, GM, Moseley, T, van la Parra, RF, Adrada, BE, Leung, J, Sun, SX, Teshome, M, Miggins, MV, Hunt, KK, DeSnyder, SM, Ehlers II, RA, Hwang, RF, Colen, JS, Arribas, E, Samiian, L, Lesnikoski, BA, Piotrowski, MJ, Bedrosian, I, Chong, CD, Correa Refinetti, AP, Huang, ML, Candelaria, RP, Loveland-Jones, C, Mitchell, MP, Shaitelman, SF. Eliminating breast surgery for invasive breast cancer in exceptional responders to neoadjuvant systemic therapy. The lancet oncology 23(12):1517-1524, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36306810.
- Elmore LC, Kuerer HM, Barcenas CH, Smith BD, Miggins MV, Lucci A, Caudle AS, Meric-Bernstam F, Hunt KK, Teshome M. Clinical Course of Breast Cancer Patients with Local-Regional Progression During Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy. Ann Surg Oncol 28(10):5477-5485, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34247335.
- Coroneos CJ, Lin YL, Sidey-Gibbons C, Asaad M, Chin B, Boukovalas S, Roubaud MS, Miggins M, Baumann DP, Offodile AC. Correlation Between Financial Toxicity, Quality of Life, and Patient Satisfaction in an Insured Population of Breast Cancer Surgical Patients: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study. J Am Coll Surg 232(3):253-263, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33316424.
- Park KU, Kyrish K, Yi M, Bedrosian I, Caudle AS, Kuerer HM, Hunt KK, Miggins MV, DeSnyder SM. Opioid use after breast-conserving surgery: prospective evaluation of risk factors for high opioid use. Ann Surg Oncol 27(3):730-735, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31820211.
- Kuerer HM, Rauch GM, Krishnamurthy S, Adrada BE, Caudle AS, DeSnyder SM, Black DM, Santiago L, Hobbs BP, Lucci A, Gilcrease M, Hwang RF, Candelaria RP, Chavez-MacGregor M, Smith BD, Arribas E, Moseley T, Teshome M, Miggins MV, Valero V, Hunt KK, Yang WT. A clinical feasibility trial for identification of exceptional responders in whom breast cancer surgery can be eliminated following neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Ann Surg 267(5):946-951, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 28549010.
- Tadros AB, Yang WT, Krishnamurthy S, Rauch GM, Smith BD, Valero V, Black DM, Lucci A, Caudle AS, DeSnyder SM, Teshome M, Barcenas CH, Miggins M, Adrada BE, Moseley T, Hwang RF, Hunt KK, Kuerer HM. Identification of Patients With Documented Pathologic Complete Response in the Breast After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Omission of Axillary Surgery. JAMA Surg 152(7):665-670, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28423171.
- Vanzant EL, Ozrazgat-Baslanti T, Liu H, Malik S, Davis R, Lanz J, Miggins MV, Gentile LF, Cuenca A, Cuenca AG, Lottenberg L, Moore FA, Ang DN, Bihorac A, Efron PA. Clostridium difficile Infections after Blunt Trauma: A Different Patient Population?. Surg Infect (Larchmt) 16(4):421-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26207402.
- Richards WT, Richards WA, Miggins M, Liu H, Mozingo DW, Ang DN. Predicting resource utilization of elderly burn patients in the baby boomer era. Am J Surg 205(1):29-34, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23017253.
- Efron PA, Liu H, Lottenberg L, Cuenca AG, Gentile LF, Miggins MV, Bihorac A, Baker HV, Moore FA, Moldawer LL, Ang DN. A genomic analysis of Clostridium difficile infections in blunt trauma patients 74(1):334-8, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23271108.
- Miggins M, Lottenberg L, Liu H, Moldawer L, Efron P, Ang D. Mopeds and scooters: crash outcomes in a high traffic state. J Trauma 71(1):217-22, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21399547.
- Miggins M, Hasan A, Hohmann S, Southwick F, Casella G, Schain D, Liu H, Bihorac A, Moldawer L, Efron P, Ang D. The potential influence of common viral infections diagnosed during hospitalization among critically ill patients in the United States. PLoS One 6(4):e18890, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21573031.
Professional Educational Materials
- Miggins M. DCIS Module, Score Curriculum for Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellows, 2017.
- Jordan J, Kim T, Lee CW, Goldstein L, Miggins M, Lottenberg L, Moore F. Trauma and Emergency Surgery Resident Manual. University of Florida Department of Surgery - Division of Acute Care Surgery, 2013.
Abstracts
- Liang D, Singh P, Lee J, Miggins M, Thompson A, Tamirisa N, Scoggins M, Sahin A, Hwang R, Caudle A, Hunt K. Effective Localization of Non-palpable Breast Lesions Using Magseed. American Society of Breast Surgeons, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Elmore LC, Kuerer HM, Barcenas CH, Smith BD, Miggins MV, Lucci A, Caudle AS, Meric-Bernstam F, Hunt KK, Teshome M. Clinical Course of Breast Cancer Patients with Local Regional Progression During Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy. American Society of Breast Surgeons, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Miggins MV, Krishnamurthy S, Hwang R. Clinicopathologic analysis of encapsulated papillary carcinomas of the breast confirms favorable prognosis. American Society of Breast Surgeons, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Shaw C, Miggins MV, Bhandare N, Lightsey J, Copeland EM, Yeung A, Grobmyer SR. Targeted, surgeon-directed, single-dose intraoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. Society of Surgical Oncology, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Miggins M, Shaw, C. Analysis of socio-demographic disparities in breast. University of Florida Breast Cancer Symposium, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Miggins M, Lottenberg L, Liu H, Moldawer L, Efron P, Ang D. Mopeds and scooters: crash outcomes in a high traffic state 1(1):217-22, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21399547.
- Miggins MV, Lottenberg L, Liu H, Moldawer LL, Efton PA, Ang DN. Surgical site infection is associated with patient survival at a hospital level: evidence for systems based intervention, 2011.
- Miggins M. An Emerging Cohort of Patients with History of Bariatric Surgery in the ICU, 2011.
- Ang D, Lottenberg L, Miggins M, Flynn T, Liu H, Efron P. Severity of illness for elective and non-emergent procedures between trauma and non-trauma centers, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Miggins M. Timing and intensity of enternal nutrition among the critically injured: does this affect clinical outcomes, 2010.
- Miggins M. Disparities in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in Florida. University of Florida Health, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Miggins M. Survey of Pediatrician Management of Vesicoureteral Reflux in North Carolina. Wake Forest University School of Medicine Research Day 2004, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Umeda P, Shiau R, Miggins M, Caulfied J. Epigenetic Alterations in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. Atherosclerosis Hypertension and Diabetes 8:465-479, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
Book Chapters
- Umeda PK, Shiau RP, MV M, Perason G, Caulfied J. 23 cardiomyopathy in a transgenic mouse model involves antisense transcription of the β myosin heavy chain promoter. In: J Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, A16, 2002.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 10, 2026