PATIENT-CENTERED BREAST CARE Continued from page 13
Dr. Grahovac is a Pittsburgh native who grew up in Brookline and
During her residency at Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Grahovac
the South Hills and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.
received an exceptional honor: the Joseph C. Young Award for Outstanding
She knew at an early age that she wanted a career in medicine. “I always
Surgical Resident of the Year, given by the Department of Surgery to
knew I would become a surgeon,” she recalls. “It was not really a
a resident who demonstrates outstanding patient care and surgical
conscious decision, just a good fit for me. I love the culture of surgery.”
technique. What made the honor especially meaningful is that she was
She majored in pre-medical studies at Ohio University, where she
just a second year resident, receiving an award normally given to a more
met her now husband, and then attended the University of Cincinnati
senior level resident.
College of Medicine. Despite knowing that surgery was going to be her specialty, Dr. Grahovac
Dr. Grahovac took time off from her surgical residency to pursue her other professional passion: research. She completed a research
did not initially find a lot of support for her choice. “Everyone was telling
fellowship in regenerative medicine. With a special interest in soft tissue
me that surgery was very difficult for women because of the long hours
reconstruction, she studied the application of adipose (fat) stem cells in
and all. But I had a great mentor in medical school who encouraged me.
tissue engineering. Known as “fat grafting,” it’s an emerging technology
I returned to Pittsburgh to complete a residency in general surgery.
that uses the patient’s own tissue as a scaffold and holds promise as
During my residency, all my attendings (physician mentors), especially
an advancement in wound healing.
the female ones, and that includes Dr. Budway, were encouraging. I got
Through this research, Dr. Grahovac developed an interest in soft tissue
to know Dr. Budway during that time; she was easy to work with and I
oncology, particularly in breast cancer. In 2014, she was awarded a
liked her style of caring for patients. She has been a role model for me
prestigious breast fellowship, where she gained proficiency in the most
since then.”
advanced breast cancer diagnostics and innovative approaches to treatment.
“
our breasT care program
achieves excellenT ouTcomes, and wiTh dr. grahovac on board, we’re able To offer The highesT QualiTy services To even more women. RAYE J. BUDWAY, M.D. BREAST CARE CENTER DIRECTOR ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL
Tara L. Grahovac, M.D. (left) and Raye J. Budway, M.D.
14 I HouseCall I Volume VII Issue 3
”