Nationally Recognized Leader in Breast Surgery Joins Inova Dwight and Martha Schar Cancer Institute

FALLS CHURCH, VA – February 5, 2016 – Nationally recognized and dedicated breast surgeon Stephanie Akbari, MD, recently joined the Inova Dwight and Martha Schar Cancer Institute (Inova Schar Cancer Institute) Breast Program, Inova Medical Group Breast Surgery, and the Inova Fairfax Hospital Department as the Director of the Applied Surgical Technology Center. The mission of the Center is to advance patient care through innovation and new technology by partnering clinical expertise with academia, government and industry, and to nurture the development of advances in technology and accelerate their adoption into clinical practice.

Dr. Akbari has been a dedicated breast surgeon in the Northern Virginia area since 2002 and is a pioneer in breast cancer surgery, continually integrating new technology into treatments she offers her patients. As the first head of the breast center at Virginia Hospital Center, she established the first accredited breast center in the Washington, DC, region. There are now 15 accredited centers in the area.

“Dr. Akbari is a key opinion leader in breast surgery and works to tailor each breast cancer treatment to the individual patient’s needs,” said Donald “Skip” Trump, MD, CEO, Inova Schar Cancer Institute. “Her expertise and approach is a perfect match with the Inova Schar Cancer Institute mission to be a global leader in developing and applying personalized approaches to medical care and cancer prevention and we are pleased she has joined our team.”

Dr. Akbari is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, having previously served on committees of both of these organizations.  Since 2005, she has been recognized as one of the region’s “Top Docs” in breast surgery by Washingtonian Magazine.

Dr. Akbari received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and was Chief Resident in Surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Surgical Service, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Media Contacts:  Kelly Schlageter, kelly.schlageter@inova.org, 703-205-2221