Biography

Rachel Wooldridge, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery’s Division of Surgical Oncology at UT Southwestern. She specializes in breast cancer surgery.

Dr. Wooldridge earned her medical degree at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine. She completed a residency in general surgery at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, New York, and performed her fellowship in breast surgical oncology at UT Southwestern.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Wooldridge is also a member of a number of professional organizations including the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Women Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.

At UT Southwestern, she is co-director of Cancer Genetics at Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Nationally, she has lectured on topics including the genetics of breast cancer and breast cancer in pregnancy.

Dr. Wooldridge’s clinical research interests include high-risk breast cancer, surgical options after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the role of MRI in breast cancer.

In 2018, Dr. Wooldridge received UT Southwestern's Patient and Family Recognition Award.

Dr. Wooldridge has been included in D Magazine's Best Doctors numerous times.

Meet Dr. Wooldridge

Breast Cancer Specialist in Dallas

Surgical oncologist Rachel Wooldridge, M.D., combines her expertise in the latest techniques with a genuine, supportive attitude to deliver exceptional care to her patients with breast cancer.

Working with a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer specialists at UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Wooldridge treats all types of breast cancers with new and emerging surgical therapies that match each woman’s needs and goals.

Techniques that Dr. Wooldridge has at her disposal include seed-localized partial mastectomies and nipple-sparing mastectomies, as well as oncoplastic techniques that both treat the cancer and leave patients with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

“With these procedures, patients don’t leave the hospital with unacceptable breast shape or size,” Dr. Wooldridge says. “They have good contour and a hidden incision, and their cancer is cured. Then, if they need follow-up or additional surgery with a plastic surgeon, that’s available right here at UT Southwestern with some of the best in the field.”

While curing her patients’ cancer is always the most important outcome, Dr. Wooldridge believes in treating the whole patient, not just the cancer, and helping each patient to lead full, healthy lives after the cancer diagnosis.

“A breast cancer diagnosis shouldn’t define a woman’s life,” she says. “These are individuals, and I care about who they are and where they came from and helping them get past this.”

After completing her breast surgical oncology fellowship at UT Southwestern, Dr. Wooldridge stayed with the program because of its excellent team of breast cancer experts – from the physicians to the therapy staff and nurses and the incomparable care they provide to patients every day.

“We have everything our patients need to overcome their breast cancer, and we’re 100 percent devoted to our patients,” she says.

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Education & Training
  • Medical School - University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (1999-2005)
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2012-2013), Breast Oncology
  • Residency - Bassett Medical Center (2006-2012), General Surgery
  • Internship - Medical University of South Carolina (2005-2006), General Surgery
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2019-2022
  • Patient and Family Recognition Award – UT Southwestern 2018

Clinical Focus

  • Breast Cancers
  • Surgery for Breast Cancer
  • Breast Disease
  • Screening for Breast Cancer
  • Breast Surgery
  • Breast Pathology

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Rachel Wooldridge, M.D.

Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Wooldridge, shares her approach to patient care.