Monique Gary Do, MSc, FACS

DR. MONIQUE GARY
Medical Director of the Grand View Health/
Penn Medicine Network Cancer Program

Monique Gary DO, MSc, FACS is a board certified, fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologist and Medical Director of the Grand View Health/Penn Medicine Network Cancer Program in Sellersville, PA. In addition, she has also served as the Director of the Breast Program since its accreditation in 2015. She is the founder of the Cancer Genetic Risk and Prevention Program at GVH, which provides genetic counseling and high risk management for patients with strong family history of malignancy and those with known hereditary cancer syndromes.

A native of Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Gary completed undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University and began as a researcher and community outreach liaison with the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she helped establish the free mobile mammography and breast screening program and was a two-time recipient of the AACR Minority Scholar Award in Cancer Research. Dr. Gary obtained a Master’s degree in molecular biology, followed by the Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. After completion of her general surgery training at University of Massachusetts- Berkshire Medical Center campus, she completed fellowship training in breast surgical oncology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

Dr. Gary specializes in benign and malignant breast disease, high risk genetics, state of the art, minimally-invasive breast surgery approaches, as well as cancer nutrition and prevention. She is passionate about research and chairs the Institutional Review Board, ad is a principal investigator for institutional community clinical trials. She is committed to medical education and holds faculty appointments as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery with the University of Pennsylvania, PCOM and University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM). Dr. Gary has served as a guest editor for BAOJ Surgery and the Medical Science Educator, and is the author of several peer-reviewed publications in cancer progression, surgical outcomes and disparities research. She is passionate about using her expertise to develop programs to address cancer risk/prevention and health equity for marginalized and underserved populations including ethnic, racial, LGBTQ+, religious and other minority groups. Dr. Gary is an invited speaker and collaborator with Susan G. Komen and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), remains actively engaged in surgical societies, and is currently serving a three-year term as chair of the Young Surgeons Committee of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She has been recognized as a Top Breast Surgeon in Pennsylvania for 2017 and 2018 and is a diplomate and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Learning Objectives:
“Lesson from the Field: The Progress and the Promise of Eliminating Breast Cancer Disparities”

Breast cancer is a complex disease with molecular mechanisms which remain poorly elucidated in certain populations. An in depth understanding of the natural history and evolution of cancer disparities among women with breast cancer is essential for competency in screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, particularly in the African American community.

In addition to the historical overview, this session will engage participants to:

– Critically evaluate the data and policies surrounding health equity in breast cancer, particularly in special populations inclusive of but not limited to African Americans and other underrepresented groups
– Discuss the social determinants of health and cancer in these populations
– Evaluate current screening guidelines and their applicability to those populations from the perspective of the at-risk group(s)
– develop strategies for community education, preventive initiatives and partnership by healthcare providers with an action plan for the community.