personal statement

Kelly J Rosso MD

One in eight women will develop breast cancer. Every year, millions of spouses, children and friends will reel from that diagnosis. Breast cancer became a reality to me at the age of five, when my grandmother began her treatment. Through my childhood, I watched her undergo bilateral mastectomies, chemotherapy, radiation and recurrence. Although my grandmother did not live to see me graduate, this strong woman had inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Today, I am entrusted by strangers with the care of their loved ones as we roll back to the operating room. I treat every patient as I would have wanted my grandmother to be treated. I didn't fully grasp the importance of this practice until I became a patient myself.

It was a strange juxtaposition to receive a prenatal diagnosis. I was completely healthy, but the baby I had been carrying for seven months was not. At a routine 34-week ultrasound, I was told he had severe hydrocephalus and brain malformations. Halfway through my general surgery residency research year, my son was born. I put all of my projects on hold and took a yearlong leave of absence. My formal training came to a halt. My learning, however, did not.

It was in my role as an unemployed new mom that I came to the humanistic side of medicine in a different frame. I learned what is was like to be treated with dignity and respect -- or the complete lack thereof. I became a staunch advocate for my little patient. I grieved for his hearing loss but found hope in a future where we could communicate in Sign Language. Through his many surgeries, I learned I could survive on even less sleep than I had on my most demanding rotations in residency and how to drink stale black coffee like a truck driver. When I returned to residency, it was second nature for me to advocate for my most vulnerable patients.

It is an emotionally charged time when a women is told she has breast cancer. The surgeon, who usually gives the diagnosis upon meeting the patient for the first time, can choose to stay throughout her journey or become a small figure on the periphery. At times, the breast surgeon must be the leader and advocate in the patient’s care. She becomes the radiologist, pathologist, medical oncologist, social worker, and counselor. I wear the many hats of a modern breast surgeon while working closely with my multidisciplinary team of amazing physicians, all the while promoting my interest in clinical research, teaching and community advocacy.

As the surgical management of breast cancer becomes less aggressive, the surgeon must embrace--and master---the multidisciplinary aspects of cancer care. That includes complex emotions that accompany a diagnosis as well as the anxieties, uncertainties and frustrations experienced during the treatment process. My journey through residency and motherhood has equipped me with the clinical acumen, research savvy, leadership skills and empathy to allow me the privilege to care for breast cancer patients.

Kelly J. Rosso, MD

14416 W Meeker Blvd

Bldg C, Suite 301

Sun City West, AZ 85375

Office (623) 876-3880

Fax (623) 285-2710

My Grandmother

signing "mom"

AID India mobile clinic, 2006

curriculum vitae

Education

Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 2016-2017

Administrative Chief Resident, Henry Ford General Surgery 2015-2016

General Surgery Residency at Henry Ford Health System, Detroit MI 2009-2016

American Sign Language Interpreter Program, Oakland Community College, MI 2012-2013

Doctor of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha NE 2005-2009

Master of Science in Clinical Anatomy, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2003-2004

Bachelors of Art, Human Figure Sculpture, Creighton University, 1998-2002

Languages

American Sign Language proficient

Oral Presentations

Biology, Techniques and Current Indications of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Henry Ford Hospital Surgery Grand Rounds, 2014

Modern Coordinated Multidisciplinary Breast Care: My Henry Ford Experience

Henry Ford Hospital Surgery Grand Rounds, 2012

The Relationship Between Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Size, Extracapsular Extention and Outcomes in Breast Cancer

Detroit Surgical Association, 2011

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Implications of Preoperative Ventilatory Status on Patient Outcomes.

Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2010

Poster Presentations

Rosso K, Karamanos E, Nathanson SD

Expression of HER-2 Receptor is not associated with Worse Outcomes in Breast Cancer: An 18-year Prospective Follow-up.

Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting, 2015

Rosso K, Karamanos E, Blyden D, Rubinfeld I. Safety Outcomes in Patients Who Are Deaf or Have Limited English Proficiency in the ICU

Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Meeting, 2015

Efstathios Karamanos MD, Kelly Rosso MD, Anthony Falvo DO, Joe Patton MD, Ilan Rubinfeld MD. Predictors of Death and Development of Clavien IV Complications in Patients with Necrotizing Fasciitis.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Annual Meeting, 2014

Karamanos E, Kachroo N, Eleswarapu S, Rosso KJ, Siddiqui A & Rubinfeld IS. Predictors of development of life threatening complications (Clavien IV) in patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections of the perineum.

American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, 2014

Gassner M, Killu K, Bauman Z, Coba V, Rosso K and Blyden D. Feasibility of common carotid artery point of care ultrasound in cardiac output measurements compared to invasive methods.

Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Meeting, 2014

Shah R, Rosso K, Nathanson SD, Mahan M & Chitale D. The Association Among "Triple-Negative" Breast Cancers, Lymph Node Metastasis, Disease-Free, and Overall Survival.

The American Society of Breast Surgeons 13th Annual Meeting, 2012

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD, Chitale D & Mahan M. The Relationship between Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Size, Extracapsular Extension and Survival in Breast Cancer.

Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting, 2012

Publications

Rupen Shah, Kelly J. Rosso, S. David Nathanson, Dhananjay Chitale and Meredith Mahan. The Association amongst ‘Triple Negative’ Breast Cancers, Lymph Node Metastasis, Disease Free and Overall Survival. J Cancer Sci 2015; 2(1): 5.

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD. Techniques that accurately identify the sentinel lymph node in cancer. World J Surg Proced 2015; 5(1): 14-26.

Nathanson SD, Shah R, Rosso K. Sentinel lymph node metastases in cancer: Causes, detection and their role in disease progression. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2014. Academic Press.

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD, Chitale D & Mahan M. The relationship between sentinel lymph node metastasis size, extracapsular extension and survival in breast cancer. Archives of International Surgery 2014; 4(2): 78.

Shah R, Rosso K, & Nathanson SD. Pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. World journal of clinical oncology 2014; 5(3): 283.

Gassner M, Killu K, Bauman Z, Coba V, Rosso K and Blyden D. Feasibility of common carotid artery point of care ultrasound in cardiac output measurements compared to invasive methods. Journal of Ultrasound 2014: 1-7.

Honors and Awards

Roy D. McClure Award

PGY-4 Research, 2015

PGY-3 Research, 2014

Dr. McClure came to Detroit in early 1916 to become the first surgeon-in-chief of the new Henry Ford Hospital. He served his entire career at the hospital, leaving it for only six months during World War I when he served as the commanding officer of Evacuation Hospital Number 33 in France. During his tenure at the hospital, Dr. McClure gained international recognition for his skill as a surgeon, as well as for his dedication to research and teaching. He was a specialist in surgery of the thyroid and the breast. He encouraged his students to engage in research and the writing of scientific papers, and to participate in the membership of professional organizations.

Outstanding Surgical Intern Award, 2009 - 2010

Gold Humanism Honor Society, Elected 2008

The mission of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is to recognize individuals who are exemplars of humanistic patient care and who can serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. The Society currently has over 21,000 members in training and practice. The power of the Society lies in bringing together like-minded individuals to sustain their own humanism and to inspire and nurture humanism in others. GHHS honors medical students, residents, fellows, role-model physician teachers and others who demonstrate excellence in humanistic clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.

Medical Illustration

Diane F Hale, Colleen M Fitzpatrick, John J Doski, Ronald M Stewart, Deborah L Mueller. Absence of clinical findings reliably excludes unstable cervical spine injuries in children ≤5 years of age. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2015; 78(5): 943-948 (Illustration of cervical spine)

Nathanson SD, Shah R, Rosso K. Sentinel lymph node metastases in cancer: Causes, detection and their role in disease progression. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2014. Academic Press. (Illustration of cancer metastasis)

Karamanos E, Shaheen M, Dream S, Siddiqui A. Nerve Transfer Surgery for Penetrating Upper Extremity Injuries. The Journal of Hand Surgery (Manuscript submitted) (Illustration of forearm nerve transfer)

Professional Organizations and Committees

American Society of Breast Surgeons, Member

Society of Surgical Oncology, Member

American College of Surgeons, Member

Detroit Surgical Association, Resident Member

Gold Humanism Honor Society, Elected 2008

Henry Ford Hospital Interpreter Services and Language Access

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Limited English Proficiency

Resident Educator, 2011-2016

Henry Ford Hospital Duty Hour Committee, Resident Member, 2014-2015

Henry Ford Hospital Formulary Committee, Resident Member 2010- 2011

education

Fellowship Breast Surgical Oncology- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX 2016-2017

General Surgery Residency- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit MI 2009-2016

American Sign Language Interpreter Program, Oakland Community College, MI 2012-2013

Doctor of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha NE, 2005-2009

Master of Science in Clinical Anatomy, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2003-2004

Bachelors of Art; Human Figure Sculpture; Creighton University, 1998-2002

Gold Humanism Honor Society Induction

Creighton Medical School Graduation 2009

presentations

Oral Presentations

Biology, Techniques and Current Indications of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Nathanson SD, Rosso KJ, Shah R

Henry Ford Hospital Surgery Grand Rounds, 2014

Modern Coordinated Multidisciplinary Breast Care: My Henry Ford Experience

Henry Ford Hospital Surgery Grand Rounds, 2012

The Relationship Between Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Size, Extracapsular Extention and Outcomes in Breast Cancer

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD

Detroit Surgical Association, 2011

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Implications of Preoperative Ventilatory Status on Patient Outcomes.

Rosso KJ, Farhat S, Rubinfeld IS.

Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2010

Poster Presentations

Rosso K, Karamanos E, Nathanson SD

Expression of HER-2 Receptor is not associated with Worse Outcomes in Breast Cancer: An 18-year Prospective Follow-up.

Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting, 2015

Rosso K, Karamanos E, Blyden D, Rubinfeld I.

Safety Outcomes in Patients Who Are Deaf or Have Limited English Proficiency in the ICU

Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Meeting, 2015

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Annual Meeting, 2014

American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, 2014

Gassner M, Killu K, Bauman Z, Coba V, Rosso K and Blyden D. Feasibility of common carotid artery point of care ultrasound in cardiac output measurements compared to invasive methods.

Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Meeting, 2014

Shah R, Rosso K, Nathanson SD, Mahan M & Chitale D. The Association Among "Triple-Negative" Breast Cancers, Lymph Node Metastasis, Disease-Free, and Overall Survival.

The American Society of Breast Surgeons 13th Annual Meeting, 2012

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD, Chitale D & Mahan M. The Relationship between Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Size, Extracapsular Extension and Survival in Breast Cancer.

Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting, 2012

publications

Partain N, Postlewait LM, Teshome M, Rosso KJ, et al. The Role of Mastectomy in de novo Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol Submitted 9/2020

Park, K.U., Weiss, A., Rosso, K. et al. Use of Mammographic Measurements to Predict Complications After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in BRCA Mutation Carriers. Ann Surg Oncol 27, 367–372 (2020).

Weiss, A., Menen, R.S., Lin, H.Y. Shen, Y., Rosso, K.J. et al. Factors associated with improved outcomes for metastatic inflammatory breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat 169, 615–623 (2018).

Munie S, Nasser H, Go P, Rosso KJ, Woodward A. Case report of a duplicated cystic duct: A unique challenge for the laparoscopic surgeon. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, Vol 56, 78-81, (2019).

SAFETY OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HAVE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN THE ICU Kelly Rosso1 , Efstathios Karamanos2 , Dionne Blyden1 , Ilan Rubinfeld1 ; 1 Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, 2 Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI

Stecklein SR, Rosso KJ, Nuanjing J et al. Excellent Locoregional Control in Inflammatory Breast Cancer With a Personalized Radiation Therapy Approach, Practical Radiation Oncology, Vol 9, Issue 6, 402-409, (2019).

Gabriel E, Rosso K, Shahab D, Shah R et al. Laparoscopic Intragastric Surgery With Endoscopic Assistance: A 2 Gastrostomy Approach With Multiple Applications, Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques, Volume 27, Number 5, October 2017, pp. e116-e120(5)

Rosso K. (2020) Axillary Lymph Node Dissection. In: Karamanos E. (eds) Common Surgeries Made Easy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41350-7_41

Rosso K. (2020) Simple Mastectomy. In: Karamanos E. (eds) Common Surgeries Made Easy. Springer, Cham.

Rosso K. (2020) Lumpectomy and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. In: Karamanos E. (eds) Common Surgeries Made Easy. Springer, Cham.

Rosso KJ, Nathanson SD. Techniques that accurately identify the sentinel lymph node in cancer. World J Surg Proced 2015; In press

Nathanson SD, Shah R, Rosso K. Sentinel lymph node metastases in cancer: Causes, detection and their role in disease progression. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2014. Academic Press.

Shah R, Rosso K, & Nathanson SD. Pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. World journal of clinical oncology 2014. 5(3), 283.