Meet Helen Johnson, M.D
Helen M. Johnson, MD
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Helen Margaret Johnson
Dr Helen M. Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a graduate of Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education, East Carolina University's general surgery residency, and MD Anderson's breast surgical oncology fellowship. She is passionate about providing patient-centered, evidence-based breast surgical care and teaching surgical trainees. Dr Johnson has a special interest in oncolactation - the intersection of breastfeeding and cancer - and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Her clinical research focuses on pregnancy-related and postpartum breast cancers.
In the News
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, US, MD |
| 2011 | Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, US, Bachelor of Science in Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2026-2026 | Certificate of Clinical Educator Excellence Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2022-2023 | Clinical Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2018-2020 | Research Fellowship, Department of Surgery, ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, North Carolina |
| 2015-2022 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, North Carolina |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2026 | Colorado Medical Board |
| 2025 | Basic Life Support |
| 2023 | American Board of Surgery, General Surgery |
| 2022 | Drug Enforcement Administration |
| 2022 | Texas Medical Board Physician License |
| 2021 | International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - 2026
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Literature Review, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2026 - 2026
Planning Committee Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Literature Review, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - 2025
Associate Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - 2026
Other Professional Positions
Board of Directors, North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, 2025 - 2025
Co-Chair, Maintenance of Certification Committee, North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, 2025 - 2025
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Co-lead, Lactation Support Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2026
Member, Academic Review Committee for the Division of Education & Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2026
Co-lead, Surgical Trainee Leave and Parental Support Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2026
Member, MD Anderson Employee Choir, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2026
Co-lead, 2025 Breast Surgical Oncology Faculty Education Retreat Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2025
Faculty Representative, Breast Surgical Oncology Department Activities Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2026
Co-lead, Breast Surgical Oncology Contralateral Risk Reducing Mastectomy Working Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2026
Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Clinical Competency Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2026
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Graduate Medical Education Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - 2026
Honors & Awards
| 2026 - Present | Latino Surgical Society and Association of Women Surgeons 2026 Visiting Professor |
| 2025 | Breast Surgical Faculty Excellence in Research Mentorship Award |
| 2025 | Finalist (top 10), Best Poster Award, American Society of Breast Surgeons |
| 2023 | Clinical Education Resident/Fellow Excellence Award for Professionalism, Office of Graduate Medical Education at MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | 2021-2022 Outstanding Resident in General/Minimally Invasive Surgery, ECU Health Medical Center |
| 2022 | “Golden Apple” Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, ECU Health Medical Center |
| 2021 | 2020-2021 Outstanding Resident in Colorectal Surgery, ECU Health Medical Center |
| 2021 | Finalist, American College of Surgeons Jameson L. Chassin Award for Professionalism, ACS |
| 2021 | 2020-2021 Outstanding Resident in Surgical Oncology, ECU Health Medical Center |
| 2020 | 2019-2020 Outstanding Resident in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, ECU Health Medical Center |
| 2020 | Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Chapter |
| 2019 | Finalist (top 5), Best Clinical Research Poster, Society of Surgical Oncology |
| 2019 | Best Poster, Clinical and Basic Science Research, ECU Health Medical Center Medical Staff Graduate Medical Education Research Day |
| 2019 | First Place, Annual Ray D. Minges Research Award, ECU Health Medical Center Department of Surgery Research Day |
| 2019 | Honorable Mention, Oral Presentation, ECU Health Medical Center Medical Staff Graduate Medical Education Research Day |
| 2018 | Honorable Mention, Clinical and Basic Science Research Poster, ECU Health Medical Center Medical Staff Graduate Medical Education Research Day |
| 2011 | Anne Crosby Emery Fellowship, Brown University |
| 2011 | Elizabeth Leduc Prize in Cell Biology, Brown University |
| 2007 - 2011 | Katherine G. Farley and Jerry I. Speyer Trustee’s Scholarship, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University |
| 2007 | United States Presidential Scholar |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Lactation and Oncolactation. Invited. Breast Surgical Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Clinical Care Discussions. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Breast surgery for patients with stage IV disease. Invited. Updates on Advanced Breast Cancer: Local Management and Other New Perspectives. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Breast cancer, pregnancy, and lactation. Invited. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2021. Temporal associations between screening mammography and the incidence of early- versus late-stage breast cancer in Eastern North Carolina. Poster. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2019. Longitudinal changes in volumetric breast density with endocrine therapy in African American women versus white women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Conference. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2019. The effect of local therapy on breast cancer-specific mortality of women with occult breast cancer and advanced nodal disease (N2/N3): A population analysis. Poster. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2019. Enhancing the electronic health record to improve the quality of breast cancer care in a rural health care system. Poster. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2018. Early breast cancer-specific mortality in women with early-stage breast cancer: epidemiological and clinical characteristics. Poster. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
- 2017. The importance of locoregional therapy in women with inflammatory breast cancer: a population-based study. Poster. ECU Health Medical Center. Greenville, NC, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Pros/Cons of Localizers in the Breast and Axilla. Invited. Breast Localization Using Multiple Technologies. Charlotte, NC, US.
- 2026. Is mastectomy necessary in patients with occult breast cancer and advanced (N2/N3) nodal disease?. Conference. American Society of Breast Surgeons 27th Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2026. Timing of Surgical Axillary Staging and Impact on Effectiveness of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection. Conference. American Society of Breast Surgeons 27th Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington, US.
- 2026. Taking leave during Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship: A national evaluation of policy and practice. Poster. Society of Surgical Oncology 2026 Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2026. Axillary surgery for patients with pregnancy-related breast cancer: Feasibility and safety of sentinel lymph node dissection. Poster. Society of Surgical Oncology 2026 Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2026. Breast Great Debate: Should pCR Allow us to Omit Surgery? - PRO. Invited. Society of Surgical Oncology 2026 Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2025. Validation of a Novel Prognostic Staging System for Breast Cancer Incorporating Age at Diagnosis. Poster. 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2025. Exceptional Responders for Patients with Triple Negative and HER2 Positive Breast Cancer: Possible Nonsurgical Approach. Invited. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2025. Oncologic Outcomes after Ovarian Stimulation for Fertility Preservation in Women with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. Low Complication Rates After Invasive Procedures on the Lactating Breast in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer During Pregnancy. Conference. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. Impact of postpartum diagnosis on outcomes of women with stage IV inflammatory breast cancer. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. Operative and Anesthesia Considerations for Surgery on the Lactating Breast. Invited. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting: Pre-Meeting Course "Challenges and Considerations in Lactation for Breast Care Providers". Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. Oncolactation. Invited. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting: Pre-Meeting Course "Challenges and Considerations in Lactation for Breast Care Providers". Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. Lactational Concerns. Invited. 34th Annual Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference of NCoBC. Las Vegas, Nevada, US.
- 2025. Benign Breast. Invited. 34th Annual Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference of NCoBC. Las Vegas, Nevada, US.
- 2024. Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding. Invited. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2024. Impact of postpartum diagnosis on survival outcomes in inflammatory breast cancer. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2023. Outcomes of patients treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant breast cancer patients treated with systemic therapy. Poster. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Lactation education for surgeons: ASBrS survey demonstrates strong member interest in expanded training. Poster. American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Boston, MA, US.
- 2023. Multicenter clinical trial for omission of breast surgery in invasive cancer following neoadjuvant systemic therapy: Longitudinal patient reported outcomes and decisional comfort planned analyses. Conference. Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. Eliminating breast surgery for invasive cancer with exceptional response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST): Prospective multicenter clinical trial first planned feasibility report. Conference. Western Surgical Association Annual Meeting. Santa Barbara, CA, US.
- 2021. Temporal associations between screening mammography and the incidence of early- versus late-stage breast cancer in Eastern North Carolina. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting, US.
- 2020. Putting the Age in Stage: Refining breast cancer clinical prognostic staging with the addition of age at diagnosis. Conference. Society of Surgical Oncology 2020 International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care. Virtual, US.
- 2020. The impact of 20 years of screening mammography on the incidence of early- versus late-stage breast cancer in Eastern North Carolina. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting, US.
- 2020. Race-related differences in the clinical presentation and histologic features of Phyllodes tumors. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Virtual, US.
- 2020. It’s not yeast: Re-classification of Candida diagnoses in the lactating breast. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2020. Is volumetric breast density associated with specific breast cancer subtypes?. Conference. Southeastern Surgical Congress Annual Scientific Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2019. Is milk fistula a legitimate concern or an unfounded fear?: A cohort study to estimate incidence. Conference. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2019. Quantifying the relationship between age at diagnosis and risk of breast cancer-specific mortality. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2019. Lactational phlegmon: a distinct clinical entity within the mastitis-abscess spectrum. Poster. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2019. Rural general surgery experience as a valuable adjunct to an academic based general surgery residency. Poster. Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) Surgical Education Week. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2019. The effect of local therapy on breast cancer-specific mortality of women with occult breast cancer and advanced nodal disease (N2/N3): A population analysis. Poster. Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Cancer Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2018. Longitudinal changes in volumetric breast density with endocrine therapy in African American versus white women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Poster. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2017. Early breast cancer-specific mortality in women with early-stage breast cancer: epidemiological and clinical characteristics. Poster. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2017. The impact of locoregional therapy on survival of women with non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer: a population-based study. Conference. Pacific Coast Surgical Association 88th Annual Meeting. Indian Wells, CA, US.
International Presentations
- 2026. Omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy for Invasive Breast Cancer. Invited. 51st World Congress of the International Society of Surgery. Mexico City, MX.
- 2025. Omission of surgery or radiotherapy post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy for optimal responders. Invited. BreastMit 2025 - 6th International Symposium on Minimal Treatment and Breast Imaging. Sao Paulo, BR.
- 2025. Exceptional Responders. Invited. Breastics24h.
- 2025. Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer. Invited. Winnipeg Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine. winnipeg, US.
- 2025. Phase 2 trial of ablative radiotherapy and endocrine therapy for invasive breast cancer without surgery: Patient-reported outcomes. Poster. St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference. Vienna, US.
- 2019. Enhancing the Electronic Health Record to promote and measure adherence to breast cancer clinical pathways. Poster. ASCO Quality Care Symposium. San Diego, US.
Formal Peers
- 2025. Oncolactation for Patients with Breast Cancer, US.
- 2025. Faculty, "Challenges and Considerations in Lactation for Breast Care Providers" Pre-Meeting Course. Las Vegas, US.
- 2025. What the Breast Community Needs to Know About Lactation, US.
- 2025. Teaching and Learning Styles & Generational Differences. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Sewing Success- Breast Surgical Oncology. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Crafting and Implementing a Lactation Policy for Residents and Fellows. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Crafting and Implementing a Lactation Policy for Residents and Fellows. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. High-Yield Topics for the ABSITE 2021: Part II”, Topic: Breast. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Surgical Issues in the Lactating Breast. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Digital Media: Age at Diagnosis May Improve Risk Stratification for Patients with Breast Cancer. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Towards Improved Support for Medical Trainees Who Are Breastfeeding. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Breastfeeding Support at Work for Health Professional Trainees #78. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Moderator: Doctor Mothers Interested in Lactation Knowledge. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Health Care for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Disparities and Transitions”. Coastal Medical CME course Healthcare Transitions: Adolescence to Adulthood in the Medical Home. Conference. Warwick, RI, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Johnson HM, Dong W, Shen Y, Irish W, Wong JH, Vohra NA, Tamirisa N. Validation of a novel prognostic staging system for breast cancer incorporating age at diagnosis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 218(3), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42593695.
- Johnson HM, Sun SX, Adelman DM, Chang EI, Cox S, Foreman S, Keener M, Patterson L, Shaitelman SF, Hunt KK, DeSnyder SM. ASO Visual Abstract: Timing of Surgical Axillary Staging and Impact on Technical Success of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42550334.
- Rangel MM, Singh P, Madrigrano A, Lillemoe HA, Johnson HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Taking Leave During Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship: A National Evaluation of Policy and Practice. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42471487.
- Chen JH, Peregrin-Alvarez I, Warneke CL, McKenzie LJ, Woodard TL, Johnson HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Oncologic Safety of Preoperative Controlled Ovarian Stimulation for Fertility Preservation Among Women with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42463605.
- Rangel MM, Singh P, Madrigrano A, Lillemoe HA, Johnson HM. Taking Leave During Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship: A National Evaluation of Policy and Practice. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42418084.
- Lattimore CM, Wanis KN, Kuerer HM, Hunt KK, Giordano SH, Mitchell MP, Shaitelman SF, Tamirisa N, Shen Y, Dong W, Johnson HM. Is Mastectomy Necessary in Patients with Occult Breast Cancer and Advanced (N2/N3) Nodal Disease?. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42406218.
- Fasano GA, Mouabbi J, Johnson HM, Lin HY, Wanis KN, Sun SX, Lucci A, Valero V, Mitchell M, Shen Y, Hunt KK, Kuerer H. ASO Visual Abstract: Clinical Impact and Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42406212.
- Lattimore CM, Wanis KN, Kuerer HM, Hunt KK, Giordano SH, Mitchell MP, Shaitelman SF, Tamirisa N, Shen Y, Dong W, Johnson HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Is Mastectomy Necessary in Patients with Occult Breast Cancer and Advanced (N2/N3) Nodal Disease?. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42401724.
- Chen JH, Peregrin-Alvarez I, Warneke CL, McKenzie LJ, Woodard TL, Johnson HM. Oncologic Safety of Preoperative Controlled Ovarian Stimulation for Fertility Preservation Among Women with Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42401727.
- Fasano GA, Mouabbi J, Johnson HM, Lin HY, Wanis KN, Sun SX, Lucci A, Valero V, Mitchell M, Shen Y, Hunt KK, Kuerer H. Clinical Impact and Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42399515.
- Johnson HM, Sun SX, Adelman DM, Chang EI, Cox S, Foreman S, Keener M, Patterson L, Shaitelman SF, Hunt KK, DeSnyder SM. Timing of Surgical Axillary Staging and Impact on Technical Success of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42390662.
- Leonard LD, Cohen E, Perry R, Sun J, Ehlers R, Refinetti A, Johnson HM, Akay C, Colen JS, DeSnyder S, Fallahian F, Hwang R, Hunt KK, Wu Y, Tamirisa N. Surgeon interpretation of margin status utilizing intraoperative 3D tomosynthesis during breast-conserving surgery. Breast Cancer Res Treat 217(3), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42329454.
- Shaitelman SF, Krishnamurthy S, Rauch GM, Lin H, Shen Y, Valero V, Johnson HM, Muruganandham M, Smith BD, Hoffman KE, Lee BM, Shinn E, Symmans WF, Woodward WA, Mitchell MP, Goodman CR, Buzdar A, Singh P, Tamirisa N, Kuerer H. Definitive, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and endocrine therapy without surgery for select low-risk breast cancers: A prospective, phase II trial. Radiother Oncol:111573, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42142534.
- Lattimore CM, Johnson HM, Kuerer HM, Caudle AS, Giordano SH, Singh P, Hunt KK, Huo L, Wanis KN. Clipped Node Pathology as a Guide for Limited Axillary Surgery in Occult Breast Cancer. Ann Surg, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42135887.
- Chen JH, Slack Tidwell RS, Kai M, Lucci A, Woodward WA, Johnson HM. Impact of Postpartum Diagnosis on Survival of Women with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40938309.
- Mohan SC, Chen JH, Tidwell RSS, Kai M, Lucci A, Woodward WA, Johnson HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Investigating the Prognostic Impact of Postpartum Diagnosis in Women with De Novo Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40839141.
- Chen JH, Warneke CL, Middleton L, Singh P, Kuerer HM, Hunt KK, Martinez AL, Litton JK, Oke OC, Johnson HM. ASO Visual Abstract: Complication Rates Are Low After Invasive Procedures on the Lactating Breast in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer During Pregnancy. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40772989.
- Mohan SC, Chen JH, Tidwell RSS, Kai M, Lucci A, Woodward WA, Johnson HM. Investigating the Prognostic Impact of Postpartum Diagnosis in Women with De Novo Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40705265.
- Chen JH, Warneke CL, Middleton L, Singh P, Kuerer HM, Hunt KK, Martinez AL, Litton JK, Oke OC, Johnson HM. Complication Rates are Low After Invasive Procedures on the Lactating Breast in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer During Pregnancy. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40676422.
- Huynh VD, Mouabbi J, Kuerer HM, Wanis KN, Abdel-Salam HM, Gutierrez AM, Johnson HM, Lucci A, Hunt KK, Arun BK. ASO Visual Abstract: Characterization of the Germline Pathogenic Mutational Landscape and Oncologic Outcomes among 877 Patients with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40526345.
- Huynh VD, Mouabbi J, Kuerer HM, Wanis KN, Abdel-Salam HM, Gutierrez AM, Johnson HM, Lucci A, Hunt KK, Arun BK. Characterization of the Germline Pathogenic Mutational Landscape and Oncologic Outcomes Among 877 Patients with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 32(8):5477-5488, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40314901.
- 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, Song, J, Warneke, CL, Martinez, A, Litton, J, Oke, OC. Outcomes of patients treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy compared with nonpregnant breast cancer patients treated with systemic therapy. Cancer 131(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39470464.
- Wanis KN, Kuerer HM, Sun SX, Hunt KK, Glencer AC, Teshome M, Lucci A, Weiser R, Johnson HM, Smith BD, Gutierrez AM, Shaitelman SF, Arun BK. Clinical Outcomes for BRCA Pathogenic Variant Carriers With Breast Cancer Undergoing Breast Conservation. JAMA Netw Open 7(6), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38916888.
- Johnson HM, Teshome M, Singh P, Mitchell KB. Lactation Education for Surgeons: American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Survey Demonstrates Strong Member Interest in Expanded Training. Ann Surg Oncol 30(10):6125-6132, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37452168.
- 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, Study Group ER. 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.
- Johnson HM, Valero V, Yang WT, Smith BD, Krishnamurthy S, Shen Y, Lin H, Lucci A, Rauch GM, Kuerer HM. Eliminating Breast Surgery for Invasive Cancer with Exceptional Response to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: Prospective Multicenter Clinical Trial Planned Initial Feasibility Endpoint. J Am Coll Surg 237(1):101-108, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36856291.
- Johnson HM, Mohamed A, Hassan MM, Geradts J, Geisel L, Vohra NA, Wong JH. Race-Related Differences in the Clinical Presentation and Histopathologic Features of Phyllodes Tumor. Am Surg 89(3):407-413, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 34190619.
- Johnson HM, Irish W, Vohra NA, Wong JH. Refining breast cancer prognosis by incorporating age at diagnosis into clinical prognostic staging: introduction of a novel online calculator. Breast Cancer Res Treat 187(3):805-814, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33609208.
- Betts RC, Johnson HM, Eglash A, Mitchell KB. It's Not Yeast: Retrospective Cohort Study of Lactating Women with Persistent Nipple and Breast Pain. Breastfeed Med 16(4):318-324, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33305975.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB. Low incidence of milk fistula with continued breastfeeding following radiologic and surgical interventions on the lactating breast. Breast Dis 40(3):183-189, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33935049.
- Johnson HM, Irish W, Strassle PD, Mahoney ST, Schroen AT, Josef AP, Freischlag JA, Tuttle JE, Brownstein MR. Associations Between Career Satisfaction, Personal Life Factors, and Work-Life Integration Practices Among US Surgeons by Gender. JAMA Surg 155(8):742-750, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32579211.
- Johnson HM, Shivalingappa H, Irish W, Wong JH, Muzaffar M, Verbanac K, Vohra NA. Race May Not Impact Endocrine Therapy-Related Changes in Breast Density. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 29(5):1049-1057, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32098892.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB. Lactational phlegmon: A distinct clinical entity affecting breastfeeding women within the mastitis-abscess spectrum. Breast J 26(2):149-154, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31495049.
- Johnson HM, Walsh DS. Crafting an Evidence-Based, Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-Compliant Lactation Policy for Residents and Fellows. Breastfeed Med 15(1):49-55, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31851831.
- Hao S, Johnson HM, Celio A, Frye L, Bayouth L, Joseph J, Walsh DS. Rural General Surgery Experience as a Valuable Adjunct to an Academic Based General Surgery Residency. J Surg Educ 77(3):598-605, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31813795.
- Johnson HM, Geisel L, Weil A, Muzaffar M, Vohra NA, DeAntonio P, Wong JH. Enhancing the Electronic Health Record to improve the quality of breast cancer care in Eastern North Carolina. Journal of Clinical Pathways, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Johnson HM, Irish W, Muzaffar M, Vohra NA, Wong JH. Quantifying the relationship between age at diagnosis and breast cancer-specific mortality. Breast Cancer Res Treat 177(3):713-722, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31297648.
- Mosquera C, Johnson HM, Mitsakos AT, Neill NE, Bellamy N, Irish W, Zervos EE, Laks S. Predictive Value of Preoperative Serum CA19-9 on Margin Status. Am Surg 85(9):965-972, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31638508.
- Johnson HM, Irish W, Vohra NA, Wong JH. The effect of local therapy on breast cancer-specific mortality of women with occult breast cancer and advanced nodal disease (N2/N3): a population analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 177(1):155-164, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31127469.
- Johnson HM, Anciano CJ, Laks S. Esophageal perforation secondary to malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a case report. World J Surg Oncol 17(1):36, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30782160.
- Muzaffar M, Johnson HM, Vohra NA, Liles D, Wong JH. The Impact of Locoregional Therapy in Nonmetastatic Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Study. Int J Breast Cancer 2018:6438635, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29967698.
- Johnson HM, Reisler T. Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia presenting as accessory axillary breast tissue. Eplasty 17:ic19, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28900530.
- Cao Y, Johnson HM, Bazemore-Walker CR. Improved enrichment and proteomic identification of outer membrane proteins from a Gram-negative bacterium: focus on Caulobacter crescentus. Proteomics 12(2):251-62, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22106052.
- Johnson HM, Gaitanis J, Morrow E. Genetics in autism diagnosis: adding molecular subtypes to neurobehavioral diagnoses. Med Health R I 94(5):124-6, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21710919.
Invited Articles
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM. Breast Pathology That Contributes to Dysfunction of Human Lactation: a Spotlight on Nipple Blebs. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 25(2):79-83, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32495215.
Review Articles
- Johnson HM, Lewis TC, Mitchell KB. Breast Cancer Screening During Lactation: Ensuring Optimal Surveillance for Breastfeeding Women. Obstet Gynecol 135(1):194-198, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31809436.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB. Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer: Managing Lactation in Survivors and Women with a New Diagnosis. Ann Surg Oncol 26(10):3032-3039, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31342385.
Other Articles
- Chiba A, Moller MG, Cannada L, Shao JM, Ratnasekera A, Reyna CR, Tan SA, Alimi YR, Johnson HM, McMullen C, Altieri MS It Takes a Village-Association of Women Surgeons' Comprehensive Initiative for Healthy Surgical Families for Practicing Surgeons. JAMA Surg, 2025. PMID: 40736728.
- Johnson HM, Miller ME, Mitchell KB Oncolactation for Patients with Breast Cancer: Executive Summary from the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. PMID: 40627104.
- Johnson HM, Torres MB, Möller MG, Cannada L, Nosanov LB, Riner AN, Tatebe LC, Reyna C, Altieri MS Association of Women Surgeons' Comprehensive Initiative for Healthy Surgical Families During Residency and Fellowship Training. JAMA Surg 158(3):310-315, 2023. PMID: 36598769.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB, Snyder RA Call to Action: Universal Policy to Support Residents and Fellows Who Are Breastfeeding. J Grad Med Educ 11(4):382-384, 2019. PMID: 31440330.
Editorials
- Chen JH, Peregrin-Alvarez I, Warneke CL, McKenzie LJ, Woodard TL, Johnson HM. ASO Author Reflections: Can We Preserve Fertility without Compromising Oncologic Outcomes?: Preoperative Oncofertility for ER-Positive Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. PMID: 42550333.
- Lattimore CM, Johnson HM. ASO Author Reflections: Rethinking Local Therapy for Occult Breast Cancer with Advanced Nodal Disease. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. PMID: 42527798.
- Rangel MM, Singh P, Madrigrano A, Lillemoe HA, Johnson HM. ASO Author Reflections: Leave Policy for Breast Surgical Oncology Fellows: Finding the Path Forward. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. PMID: 42527802.
- Johnson HM, Sun SX, Adelman DM, Chang EI, Cox S, Foreman S, Keener M, Patterson L, Shaitelman SF, Hunt KK, DeSnyder SM. ASO Author Reflections: Timing of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction-Expanding Access without Compromising Technical Success. Ann Surg Oncol, 2026. PMID: 42455484.
- Dream S, Quinones PM, Johnson HM, Reyna C, Cannada LK, Altieri MS, Moller MG. Adapting to Change: Proposed Next Steps for an Evolving and More Inclusive American Board of Surgery Examination Paradigm. J Surg Educ 83(1):103774, 2025. PMID: 41265233.
- Chen JH, Johnson HM. ASO Author Reflections: To Wean or Not to Wean: Surgical Interventions on the Lactating Breast. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. PMID: 40745117.
- Mohan SC, Johnson HM. ASO Author Reflections: Postpartum Diagnosis of Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. PMID: 40711685.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB. ASO Author Reflections: Oncolactation Guidelines for Patients with Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 2025. PMID: 40659891.
- Broman K, Goldstein LE, Johnson HM, Cannada LK, Tan SA. Supporting the bereaved surgeon. Am J Surg 243:116137, 2024. PMID: 39668058.
- Johnson HM, Torres MB, Tatebe LC, Altieri MS, Women Surgeons FTPCOTAO. Every ounce counts: A call for comprehensive support for breastfeeding surgeons by the Association of Women Surgeons. Am J Surg 223(6):1226-1227, 2022. PMID: 35027170.
- Slama EM, Johnson HM, Yu YR, Sumra H, Altieri MS. Paid parental leave for surgeons in the United States. Am J Surg 223(1):218-220, 2022. PMID: 34419264.
- Johnson HM, Wong JH. When Is a Little Breast Tissue Too Much?: Nipple-Sparing Risk-Reducing Mastectomy in BRCA Carriers. JAMA Surg 153(2):129, 2018. PMID: 28903136.
Book Chapters
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM. Breast Conditions in the Breastfeeding Mother. In: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. 9th, 572-593, 2022.
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM. Challenges in the Management of Breast Conditions During Lactation. In: Management of Benign and Malignant Breast Disease, An Issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics. 1, 35-55, 2022.
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM. Management of Common Complications of Lactation: The Breast Surgeon's Role in Examining the Science and Debunking Old Myths. In: Management of Benign Breast Disease. 6, 973-987, 2022.
- Johnson HM, Mitchell KB. ABM Clinical Protocol #34: Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding. In: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. 9th, 1038.e11 - 1038.e17, 2022.
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Eglash A. ABM Clinical Protocol #30: Breast Masses, Breast Complaints, and Diagnostic Breast Imaging in the Lactating Woman. In: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. 9th, 1010-1016, 2022.
- Johnson HM, Eglash A, Mitchell KB, Leeper K, Smillie CM, Moore-Ostby L, Manson N, Simon L. ABM Clinical Protocol #32: Management of Hyperlactation. In: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. 9th, 1023 - 1028, 2022.
- Johnson HM, Levine TP. Health Care and Services for Individuals with ASDs: Disparities and Transitions. In: Comprehensive Guide to Autism, 1195-1217, 2014.
Letters to the Editor
- Johnson HM, Tasoulis MK, Kuerer HM. Eliminating breast cancer surgery in exceptional responders: selective omission - not blind omission. Breast Cancer Res Treat 217, 2026.
- Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodriguez JM, Eglash A, Scherzinger C, Widmer K, Berens P, Miller B. Response to Baeza et al. re: "Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022". Breastfeed Med 17: 972, 2022.
- Johnson HM, Josef AP, Brownstein MR. Associations of Various Subspecialties in Surgery With Career Satisfaction and Personal Life Among Surgeons by Gender-Reply. JAMA Surg 156: 292-293, 2021.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 17, 2026