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WITH YOU ON
YOUR JOURNEY.
Welcome.
At Nashville Breast Center, we are dedicated to providing expert, individualized and compassionate breast health and breast cancer care to patients in Nashville, Tennessee. Led by established Breast Surgical Oncologists, Dr. Pat Whitworth, Dr. Laura Lawson, and Dr. Eduardo Dias, our team strives to make the journey from diagnosis to healthy and happy survivor as easy as possible for each of our patients.
MEET OUR TEAM.
Nashville Breast Center first opened its doors more than 20 years ago and we’ve provided expert compassionate breast health and breast cancer care to patients ever since. With a combined 125+ years of experience, our specialized team works closely together to ensure all patients have a smooth journey with us. Get to know our team.
OUR CARE PHILOSOPHY.
A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming at first. Our team at Nashville Breast Center is dedicated to making the journey from diagnosis to healthy and happy survivor as easy as possible. Here are some things you should know about us and our care philosophy:
- We make sure everyone knows that most patients with breast cancer are cured and go on to live normal lives.
- Our guiding principle is to match the treatment to the patient, considering their individual needs and preferences, as well as the ideal curative approach based on a thorough analysis of their particular tumor.
- Most patients do not need chemotherapy. We have molecular genomic tumor profiling to tell us who benefits from chemotherapy and who doesn’t. So, we recommend chemotherapy only for those patients who have a potentially life-saving benefit.
- Preservation and even enhancement of physical appearance are now key parts of treatment. Working closely with plastic surgeons, we incorporate “oncoplastic surgery” principles for each patient.
PAT W. WHITWORTH, MD, FACS
As a recognized leader in breast surgical oncology, Dr. Pat W. Whitworth began his long-standing career at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine & Surgery where he graduated in 1983; then completed his surgical internship and residency at the University of Louisville in 1988 followed by his fellowship in surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1991.
As a board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Whitworth has dedicated his practice to the treatment of breast abnormalities and breast cancer. For over thirty years, Dr. Whitworth has embraced the many treatment advances and remains at the forefront of technology and surgical breakthroughs. His procedural expertise includes the minimally invasive biopsy, minimally invasive breast cancer treatment, sentinel lymph node biopsy as well as oncoplastic surgery.
LAURA L. LAWSON, MD
Dr. Laura L. Lawson is originally from Charleston, WV. She graduated from West Virginia University and then moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. After medical school she remained at Vanderbilt to complete her General Surgery residency and then a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
Dr. Lawson helped develop the Ascension St. Thomas Breast Cancer Program and has served as the Medical Director for over a decade. She is board certified, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has earned additional certification through the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She has privileges at both St. Thomas Midtown and Centennial Women’s Hospitals and is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at Vanderbilt University.
When outside of the office, Dr. Lawson loves spending time with her sons, who are busy with school and sports (especially baseball). She enjoys travelling, snow skiing, reading and is an avid scrapbooker.
She has been named as one of Nashville’s Women to Watch, Healthcare Heroes, Exceptional Women in Medicine, and Nashville’s Top Docs. She is the past president of Tennessee Women in Medicine and currently serves on the Nashville Academy of Medicine Board of Directors.
Lisa Cantrell is Dr. Lawson’s assistant and surgery scheduler-they have been working together since 2004.
LAURA L. LAWSON, MD
Dr. Laura L. Lawson is originally from Charleston, WV. She graduated from West Virginia University and then moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. After medical school she remained at Vanderbilt to complete her General Surgery residency and then a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
Dr. Lawson helped develop the Ascension St. Thomas Breast Cancer Program and has served as the Medical Director for over a decade. She is board certified, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has earned additional certification through the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She has privileges at both St. Thomas Midtown and Centennial Women’s Hospitals and is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at Vanderbilt University.
When outside of the office, Dr. Lawson loves spending time with her sons, who are busy with school and sports (especially baseball). She enjoys travelling, snow skiing, reading and is an avid scrapbooker.
She has been named as one of Nashville’s Women to Watch, Healthcare Heroes, Exceptional Women in Medicine, and Nashville’s Top Docs. She is the past president of Tennessee Women in Medicine and currently serves on the Nashville Academy of Medicine Board of Directors.
Lisa Cantrell is Dr. Lawson’s assistant and surgery scheduler-they have been working together since 2004.
EDUARDO C. DIAS, MD
Dr. Eduardo C. Dias grew up in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he graduated from Medical School at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFGRS), one of the top five medical schools in the country. With an interest in women’s health, Dr. Dias completed an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency followed by a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Brazil. He was later awarded the AACR/Avon Scholarship in Breast Cancer Research and relocated to Nashville, where he also completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Vanderbilt University.
Following his VUMC research fellowship, he completed an additional medical residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as a Society of Surgical Oncology-approved Breast Surgery Fellowship. Dr. Dias chose Nashville as his home and remains an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where he is involved in resident education.
PATIENT INFORMATION
For your convenience, we provide online access to bill pay and new and existing patient paperwork. Simply, click one of the options below to access.
MEDICAL RECORDS.
We make it easy for patients to access their medical records and fill out disability/FMLA forms. Simply click the buttons below to start the process.
Third Party Requestors (insurance companies, attorneys, etc.), please fax all requests to 615.777.3517.
BE 'LYNN' ALT, APN, FNP-C
Be Alt ("Lynn") grew up in Tullahoma, Tn. She attended Auburn University and earned a BS and MS degree in nutrition. She received her Master’s in Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Vanderbilt University. She initially worked in urgent care as a nurse practitioner before joining Nashville Breast Center in 2001.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping with her husband, entertaining her three dogs, and spending time with her three kids.
JESSICA BAKER, PA-C
Jess attended Harding University where she graduated with a BS in Biology. She received her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Lipscomb University in 2020. She began her career as a PA in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility before joining Nashville Breast Center in 2023. She loves gardening and has a special interest in permaculture, fruit trees, and native plants. She also enjoys snow skiing and hiking Tennessee state parks with her husband and rescue dog, Kit.
ANDREA COOPER, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
Andrea is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, but grew up and attended school in Germany. She received her undergraduate degree in Business and Management from the University of Maryland European Division and initially worked in an administrative capacity at The Ohio State University Medical Center before becoming interested in allied health. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2007 and has worked in a variety of clinical settings as an occupational therapist including school-based programs, acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.
EMILY MANNING, PA-C
Emily attended The University of Mississippi where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in Psychology. After college, she lived in Birmingham, AL where she worked as an Emergency Department Scribe and Medical Assistant until she began her master's degree in physician assistant studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Emily started her career as a Physician Assistant working in urology in Atlanta until she and her husband moved to Nashville in 2019. Prior to joining Nashville Breast Center in 2023, she worked for a private urology group in Franklin.
Emily and her husband have one son and two Labrador retrievers. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially at Lake Martin, AL where she spent her summers growing up. In the fall, you will find Emily watching football and cheering on her alma mater, the Ole Miss Rebels.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS.
I love the team of brilliant caring medical professionals. Dr. Whitworth is the best! My surgery was success!! He is a Doctor with God's given gifts.
-TATYANA G.
To hear the word ‘CANCER’ literally took my breath away. Dr. Lawson and her entire staff were basically my support group. There are really no words that can express my feelings and the utmost respect for her and her staff because ‘Thank You’ just doesn't seem to do it.
-KAREN D.
I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Whitworth and his entire staff! At age 33, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was terrified. I met with a couple different medical teams and no one compared to Dr. Whitworth. He was patient and took the time to answer ALL my questions, set me at ease, gave me all my options, and did an amazing job during surgery. He referred me to the best plastic surgeon I could’ve asked for and now to the best oncologist for further treatment…I highly recommend Dr. Whitworth and his team. They’re incredible, and I’m soooo grateful to have such caring people on my side.
-KAYLA R.
I have been a patient of Dr. Laura Lawson's for a few years. She and her staff truly care.
-RHONDA C.
CONTACT US.
Nashville Breast Center is conveniently located inside the Midtown Medical Plaza building in Nashville, Tennessee. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with us, please call our office or use our online contact form. View a printable map>
PHONE
615.620.5535
FAX
877.790.5542
HOURS
Monday - Thursday
8a - 4:30p
Friday
8a - 2p
ADDRESS
2004 Hayes Street
Suite 310
Nashville, TN 37203
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CLINICAL RESEARCH.
At Nashville Breast Center, we are committed to the advancement of breast cancer care and prevention. One way we help to fulfill this commitment is through clinical research. The following are a few of the clinical studies we are currently involved in:
- Caris. Build and implement a state-of-the-science Biorepository the ensures molecular integrity and clinical relevance of human biospecimens used in research and clinical medicine.
- Prelude. This is a prospective cohort study for patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. The primary objective of the study is to create a de-identified database of patients, test results, treatment decisions, and outcomes that can be queried to determine the utility of the DCISionRT test in the diagnosis and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.
- Flex-Create. A large-scale, population-based registry of full genome expression data and clinical data to investigate new gene associates with prognostic and/or predictive value. Utilize shared registry infrastructure to examine smaller groups of interest. Generate hypotheses for targeted subset analyses and trails based on full genome data. Use tissue samples collected as part of the standard of care procedures for exploratory genomic or tissue studies.
- I-Gap. The Medneon iGap Registry is a database of clinically annotated data designed to capture the use of Germline Genetic, Genomic, and other Biomarker Testing in everyday clinical practice.
- Exact Science. This is an observational blood and tumor tissue specimen collection study. Blood specimens will be prospectively collected. Tumor tissue samples will be provided from previously collected and banked primary and recurrent biopsy and or resected tumor tissue specimens, or primary tumor tissue alone if recurrence is not applicable or available.
- JUVA. A research project intended to give doctors, their patients, and ultimately society at large a better understanding of how cannabis-based medications may benefit patients with disease-related symptoms and other health conditions.
Contact us to learn more about the clinical studies we participate in.