喵咪社区

Dr. Woodworth is a breast surgical oncologist with 喵咪社区. She treats patients at Keck Hospital of 喵咪社区, 喵咪社区 Norris Cancer Hospital and 喵咪社区 Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Here鈥檚 what you won鈥檛 find on her resume.

Her mom鈥檚 job inspired her to become a doctor.

鈥淚 knew I wanted to be a doctor from age four. I am the only doctor in my family, but my mom worked as a medical technologist drawing blood in a primary care physician office. I sometimes tagged along with her to work. I was so inspired by the doctors who could make sick people feel better, and I truly felt that it was a calling since that moment.鈥�

As I got older, I continued to explore the field and worked as an aide in a nursing home. I found such joy helping care for people and really felt motivated to make a difference in people鈥檚 lives, no matter what stage of it they were in.鈥�

She enjoys hiking and leading her 鈥楪irl Talk鈥� group.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 not working, I鈥檓 usually thinking about how I can improve health care for the women of my community. I have started something called 鈥楪irl Talk鈥� in Santa Clarita to better educate women about different medical problems and where they can get the treatment they deserve.

Otherwise, I am usually hiking or exploring Southern California with my husband and my dog, Otis. We also love Paso Robles and frequently spend time there.鈥�

Her family is large.

鈥淧eople may be surprised to learn I have 11 siblings and 31 nieces and nephews.鈥�

Her favorite movie takes place in a medical setting.

鈥淢y favorite movie is 鈥楶atch Adams鈥� starring Robin Williams.鈥�

She enjoys international travel.鈥�

鈥淚 have two favorite travel destinations: Italy鈥檚 Amalfi Coast and Costa Rica.鈥濃��

The best advice she鈥檚 ever heard:

鈥淚f you don鈥檛 ask, the answer will always be no.鈥�

Seeing her patients triumph is rewarding.

鈥淚 have patients who, when they鈥檙e first diagnosed with breast cancer, aren鈥檛 sure they鈥檙e strong enough to beat it. It鈥檚 immensely satisfying when a patient finishes treatment and realizes she鈥檚 more resilient than she ever knew. I tear up every time.鈥�

She prioritizes patient education.

鈥淢y bedside manner is caring and informative. I love to teach patients about what is affecting them so they can understand why I recommend a certain treatment course.鈥�

More advancements in genetics could be a game changer.

鈥淚鈥檓 a genetics nerd. The medical breakthrough I鈥檇 love to see is for us to learn how to effectively map each person鈥檚 genome and identify which diseases we are at increased risk for. That information would inform us on effective lifestyle prevention strategies based on our own genetics.鈥�

What sets Keck Medicine apart?

鈥淚 feel that at Keck Medicine, we truly have the best physicians in each field. They鈥檙e the nicest people, too.

In the Breast, Endocrine and Soft Tissue Surgery division at Keck Medicine, I believe we have better communication than any other institution. We regularly review the latest research together and discuss it to determine how we will integrate it into our practice.鈥�

Topics