Monica Rizzo, MD, FACS

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One star
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Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (283 ratings)

Role

Surgical Oncology
Specialty

Breast Cancer
Research Program

Cancer Prevention and Control
Practicing Since

2005

Call 404-778-3307

Background

After completing her surgical oncology fellowship at Emory University in 2005, Monica Rizzo, MD, FACS, joined the division of surgical oncology at Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM). As an ACS Commission on Cancer Liaison Physician at EUHM, Dr. Rizzo is actively involved in quality measures and initiatives to assure excellence in cancer care at the hospital. She serves as a Chair for the weekly Breast Multidisciplinary Tumor Board at Midtown. She is also engaged in projects dedicated to decreasing disparities in breast cancer treatment for women of underserved communities. Her clinical expertise includes treatment of breast cancer, melanoma and skin cancer as well as soft tissue sarcoma.

Dr. Rizzo earned her medical degree from the Turin University School of Medicine in Turin, Italy. She then went on to do a thoracic surgery residency at the Turin University School of Medicine, followed by a research fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine. She then started her General Surgery Residency at Washington University in St Louis and completed her General surgery residency at the University of Missouri Columbia. She also completed a clinical Surgical Oncology fellowship at Emory University.

Titles & Roles

Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery

Emory University School of Medicine
Associate Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Education & Training

Education

Fellowship, Surgical Oncology, 2005
Emory University School of Medicine
Residency, Surgery, 2003
Univ of Missouri Hospital & Clinic
Residency, Surgery, 2000
Washington University
Medical Education, MD, 1993
University of Turin

Board Certifications

Surgery (General Surgery)
American Board of Surgery, 2005

Professional Memberships

American College of Surgeons: Fellow; Commission on Cancer Liaison Physician, Emory University Hospital Midtown
American Women Association
Society of Surgical Oncology, Disparities Committee
Georgia Surgical Society

Research

Publications

Title/Journal	Authors	Publication Date
Intraoperative radiation therapy for early‐stage breast cancer Journal of Surgical Oncology	L Schwieger, JM Switchenko, Y Cao, I Amaniera, R Phillips-Reed, K Godette, M Rizzo	08/29/2024
Outcomes of the same‐day discharge following mastectomy before, during and after COVID‐19 pandemic Journal of Surgical Oncology	Y Olimpiadi, AR Goldenberg, L Postlewait, T Gillespie, C Arciero, T Styblo, Y Cao, JM Switchenko, M Rizzo	01/09/2023
DNA Methylation Markers for Breast Cancer Detection in the Developing World Clinical Cancer Research	BM Downs, C Mercado-Rodriguez, A Cimino-Mathews, C Chen, JP Yuan, E Van Den Berg, LM Cope, F Schmitt, GM Tse, SZ Ali, D Meir-Levi, R Sood, J Li, AL Richardson, MB Mosunjac, M Rizzo, S Tulac, KJ Kocmond, T de Guzman, EW Lai, B Rhees, M Bates, AC Wolff, E Gabrielson, SC Harvey, CB Umbricht, K Visvanathan, MJ Fackler, S Sukumar	07/12/2019
Single incision for oncologic breast conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy in early stage breast cancer: A minimally invasive approach The Breast Journal	BP Lovasik, RL Seidel, M Novello, MA Torres, A Losken, M Rizzo	12/04/2018
Morbidity and Outcomes Following Axillary Lymphadenectomy for Melanoma: Weighing the Risk of Surgery in the Era of MSLT-II Annals of Surgical Oncology	LM Postlewait, CR Farley, AM Seamens, N Le, M Rizzo, MC Russell, MC Lowe, KA Delman	11/20/2017
Genomic profiling of ER ⁺ breast cancers after short-term estrogen suppression reveals alterations associated with endocrine resistance Science Translational Medicine	JM Giltnane, KE Hutchinson, TP Stricker, L Formisano, CD Young, MV Estrada, MJ Nixon, L Du, V Sanchez, PG Ericsson, MG Kuba, ME Sanders, XJ Mu, EM Van Allen, N Wagle, IA Mayer, V Abramson, H Gόmez, M Rizzo, W Toy, S Chandarlapaty, EL Mayer, J Christiansen, D Murphy, K Fitzgerald, K Wang, JS Ross, VA Miller, PJ Stephens, R Yelensky, L Garraway, Y Shyr, I Meszoely, JM Balko, CL Arteaga	08/09/2017
A Minimally Invasive Approach for Inguinal Lymphadenectomy in Melanoma and Genitourinary Malignancy: Long-Term Outcomes in an Attempted Randomized Control Trial Annals of Surgical Oncology	LM Postlewait, CR Farley, ML Diller, B Martin, M Hart Squires, MC Russell, M Rizzo, K Ogan, V Master, K Delman	08/02/2017
Invasive Scalp Melanoma: Role for Enhanced Detection Through Professional Training Annals of Surgical Oncology	BP Lovasik, I Sharma, MC Russell, GW Carlson, KA Delman, M Rizzo	08/22/2016
Excising Additional Margins at Initial Breast-Conserving Surgery (BCS) Reduces the Need for Re-excision in a Predominantly African American Population: A Report of a Randomized Prospective Study in a Public Hospital Annals of Surgical Oncology	V Jones, J Linebarger, S Perez, S Gabram, J Okoli, H Bumpers, B Burns, M Mosunjac, M Rizzo	08/07/2015
Tanning beds: A call to action for further educational and legislative efforts Journal of Surgical Oncology	C Farley, Y Alimi, LR Espinosa, S Perez, W Knechtle, A Hestley, GW Carlson, MC Russell, KA Delman, M Rizzo	07/17/2015
Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone for Newly Diagnosed Melanoma Brain Metastases American Journal of Clinical Oncology	KR Patel, S Shoukat, DE Oliver, M Chowdhary, M Rizzo, DH Lawson, F Khosa, Y Liu, MK Khan	05/28/2015
Phyllodes tumors in African American women The American Journal of Surgery	HL Bumpers, T Tadros, S Gabram-Mendola, M Rizzo, M Martin, N Zaremba, J Okoli	04/11/2015
Enhanced down-regulation of ALCAM/CD166 in African-American Breast Cancer BMC Cancer	F Tan, M Mosunjac, AL Adams, B Adade, O Taye, Y Hu, M Rizzo, SF Ofori-Acquah	09/25/2014
Oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing videoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy for metastatic melanoma. Journal of the American College of Surgeons	BM Martin, JW Etra, MC Russell, M Rizzo, DA Kooby, CA Staley, VA Master, KA Delman	04/01/2014
Differences in inpatient glycemic control and response to subcutaneous insulin therapy between medicine and surgery patients with type 2 diabetes Journal of Diabetes and its Complications	D Smiley, GE Umpierrez, K Hermayer, C Newton, S Jacobs, DE Olson, A Khan, M Rizzo, L Peng, D Reyes, S Cardona, V Fonseca	08/01/2013
Image of the Month—Quiz Case JAMA Surgery	HL Bumpers, S Gabram-Mendola, J Okoli, M Rizzo	03/01/2013
Randomized Study Comparing a Basal-Bolus With a Basal Plus Correction Insulin Regimen for the Hospital Management of Medical and Surgical Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Care	GE Umpierrez, D Smiley, K Hermayer, A Khan, DE Olson, C Newton, S Jacobs, M Rizzo, L Peng, D Reyes, I Pinzon, ME Fereira, V Hunt, A Gore, MT Toyoshima, VA Fonseca	02/23/2013
Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival After Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases From Melanoma American Journal of Clinical Oncology	DM Marcus, M Lowe, MK Khan, DH Lawson, IR Crocker, JW Shelton, A Melton, N Maynard, KA Delman, GW Carlson, M Rizzo	02/21/2013
Final Results from Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Docetaxel and Capecitabine Given Sequentially or Concurrently for HER2-Negative Breast Cancers Clinical Breast Cancer	AB Zelnak, TM Styblo, M Rizzo, SG Gabram, WC Wood, S Harichand-Herdt, S Kim, Y Liu, RM O'Regan	01/16/2013
Soft tissue angiofibroma: report of 2 cases of a recently described tumor Human Pathology	MA Edgar, SR Lauer, JA Bridge, M Rizzo	12/22/2012
1 or 2 cm Margins of Excision for T2 Melanomas: Do They Impact Recurrence or Survival? Annals of Surgical Oncology	LE Hudson, SK Maithel, GW Carlson, M Rizzo, DR Murray, AC Hestley, KA Delman	08/10/2012
Feasibility of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation in a Large Inner-City Public Hospital Annals of Surgical Oncology	M Amin, S Gabram, H Bumpers, J Landry, AB Jani, R Diaz, M Rizzo	06/25/2012
Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH) of the Breast: A Series of 24 Patients The Breast Journal	E Bowman, G Oprea, J Okoli, K Gundry, M Rizzo, S Gabram-Mendola, U Manne, G Smith, S Pambuccian, HL Bumpers	05/01/2012
Locoregional Recurrence after Mastectomy with Immediate Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) Flap Reconstruction Annals of Surgical Oncology	SG Patterson, P Teller, R Iyengar, GW Carlson, SG Gabram-Mendola, A Losken, T Styblo, M Torres, WC Wood, SD Perez, M Mosunjac, M Rizzo	04/02/2012
Time to Treatment for Patients Receiving BCS in a Public and a Private University Hospital in Atlanta The Breast Journal	M Mosunjac, J Park, A Strauss, G Birdsong, V Du, M Rizzo, SG Gabram, MJ Lund	01/12/2012
Management of Papillary Breast Lesions Diagnosed on Core-Needle Biopsy: Clinical Pathologic and Radiologic Analysis of 276 Cases with Surgical Follow-Up Journal of the American College of Surgeons	M Rizzo, J Linebarger, MC Lowe, L Pan, SG Gabram, L Vasquez, MA Cohen, M Mosunjac	01/11/2012
CD45/CD8 myeloid histioid antigen and plasma cell antibody immune response in a case of malignant melanoma North American Journal of Medical Sciences	AM Abreu-Velez, MS Howard, NY Pereyo, KA Delman, MC Mihm, M Rizzo	01/01/2012
The changing field of locoregional treatment for breast cancer. PubMed	M Rizzo, WC Wood	08/01/2011
21‐Gene recurrence scores Cancer	MJ Lund, M Mosunjac, KM Davis, S Gabram-Mendola, M Rizzo, HL Bumpers, S Hearn, A Zelnak, T Styblo, RM O'Regan	06/30/2011
Treatment adherence and outcome in women with inflammatory breast cancer Cancer	F Andic, K Godette, R O'Regan, A Zelnak, T Liu, M Rizzo, S Gabram, M Torres	06/20/2011
Randomized Study of Basal-Bolus Insulin Therapy in the Inpatient Management of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Undergoing General Surgery (RABBIT 2 Surgery) Diabetes Care	GE Umpierrez, D Smiley, S Jacobs, L Peng, A Temponi, P Mulligan, D Umpierrez, C Newton, D Olson, M Rizzo	01/13/2011
Initial Experience with Videoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy Annals of Surgical Oncology	KA Delman, DA Kooby, M Rizzo, K Ogan, V Master	12/23/2010
Improving on National Quality Indicators of Breast Cancer Care in a Large Public Hospital as a Means to Decrease Disparities for African American Women Annals of Surgical Oncology	M Rizzo, H Bumpers, J Okoli, D Senior-Crosby, R O'Regan, A Zelnak, L Pan, M Mosunjac, SG Patterson, SG Gabram	07/12/2010
Prevalence and Clinical Outcome of Hyperglycemia in the Perioperative Period in Noncardiac Surgery Diabetes Care	A Frisch, P Chandra, D Smiley, L Peng, M Rizzo, C Gatcliffe, M Hudson, J Mendoza, R Johnson, E Lin, GE Umpierrez	04/30/2010
Using National Quality Forum Breast Cancer Indicators to Measure Quality of Care for Patients in an AVON Comprehensive Breast Center The Breast Journal	R Iyengar, MJ Lund, P Lamson, L Holmes, M Rizzo, H Bumpers, J Okoli, D Senior-Crosby, R O'Regan, SG Gabram	04/12/2010
Management of Breast Abscesses in Nonlactating Women The American Surgeon	M Rizzo, S Gabram, C Staley, L Peng, A Frisch, M Jurado, G Umpierrez	03/01/2010
Reed‐sternberg cells in breast FNA of a patient with left breast mass Diagnostic Cytopathology	J Park, M Rizzo, S Jackson, SR Bates, V Green, G Oprea-Ilies	01/04/2010
The effects of additional tumor cavity sampling at the time of breast-conserving surgery on final margin status, volume of resection, and pathologist workload. Annals of surgical oncology	M Rizzo, R Iyengar, SG Gabram, J Park, G Birdsong, KL Chandler, MB Mosunjac	01/01/2010
Breast abscesses in nonlactating women with diabetes: clinical features and outcome. The American journal of the medical sciences	M Rizzo, L Peng, A Frisch, M Jurado, G Umpierrez	08/01/2009
Characteristics and treatment modalities for African American women diagnosed with stage III breast cancer Cancer	M Rizzo, MJ Lund, M Mosunjac, H Bumpers, L Holmes, R O'Regan, OW Brawley, S Gabram	05/22/2009
National surgical patterns of care for primary surgery and axillary staging of phyllodes tumors. The breast journal	NP Gullett, M Rizzo, PA Johnstone	01/01/2009
Effects of an outreach and internal navigation program on breast cancer diagnosis in an urban cancer center with a large African‐American population Cancer	SG Gabram, MJ Lund, J Gardner, N Hatchett, HL Bumpers, J Okoli, M Rizzo, BJ Johnson, GB Kirkpatrick, OW Brawley	06/25/2008
High prevalence of triple‐negative tumors in an urban cancer center Cancer	MJ Lund, EN Butler, HL Bumpers, J Okoli, M Rizzo, N Hatchett, VL Green, OW Brawley, GM Oprea-Ilies, SG Gabram	05/16/2008
Surgical Follow-Up and Clinical Presentation of 142 Breast Papillary Lesions Diagnosed by Ultrasound-Guided Core-Needle Biopsy Annals of Surgical Oncology	M Rizzo, MJ Lund, G Oprea, M Schniederjan, WC Wood, M Mosunjac	01/17/2008

Awards

Atlanta's Top Doctors, Atlanta Magazine, 2016, 2017, 2018

Ratings & Reviews

Patients who are treated in outpatient and inpatient environments are eligible to receive a survey related to their individual care. Displayed ratings and reviews are displayed for Providers who have received at least 30 returned surveys over a 12-month period and are related to all Care Provider related survey questions. To help our patients better understand our Transparency program (ratings and review), the motivations behind it, how ratings are calculated, why ratings and reviews are not published for every EHC Provider, and how this information can be helpful for our patients, please click here.

4.9	One star One star One star One star One half star	Provider showed concern
4.9	One star One star One star One star One half star	Provider explained things clearly
4.8	One star One star One star One star One half star	Provider discussed treatment options
4.9	One star One star One star One star One half star	Provider included you in decisions
4.9	One star One star One star One star One half star	Likelihood of recommending this provider

View Reviews


One star One star One star One star One star	01/30/2026	Dr. Rizzo is derect and straight foward. She explains very clearly what she is doing during the visit and why. She even let's me know who I will be seeing on next visit. I like that hand off. I'm in the know with my care.
One star One star One star One star One star	01/23/2026	Dr Rizzo was wonderful. Very friendly answered all our questions We did not feel rushed during visit. Dr Rizzo Great!
One star One star One star One star One star	12/11/2025	Dr. Rizzo is fantastic!
One star One star One star One star One star	11/12/2025	Excellent doctor support
One star One star One star One star One star	11/08/2025	Dr. RIZZO kind and thorough!
One star One star One star One star One star	11/07/2025	Dr. Rizzo and her staff are very professional and their concern is genuine
One star One star One star One star One star	10/22/2025	Dr Rizzo is so caring, compassionate and she really focuses on me and my questions and concerns. Also from my family with me, but mostly to me. She gave me a lot of confidence in my decision on surgery and my ability to heal and handle everything related to it. Answered every single question and was so thoughtful. She is the best!!!
One star One star One star One star One star	10/15/2025	Great experience, wouldn't have gone to a different place
One star One star One star One star One star	10/08/2025	Dr. Rizzo is the best! She is so kind and really cares about you!
One star One star One star One star One star	10/06/2025	Dr Rizzo is compassionate and a great health communicator.
One star One star One star One star One star	10/05/2025	She always explains everything to me
One star One star One star One star One star	10/03/2025	Dr . Rizzo was excellent. Her caring, thoughtful attitude and bedside manner made me feel heard and understood. She is very knowledgeable about how she explains things and made sure that I was comfortable and understood my options and made a plan for me to know what to expect. She also personally called me again later that same afternoon following my appointment after she had reviewed my medical records more thoroughly asking me more questions and then making more recommendations and referral for genetic testing. I really appreciate her willingness and commitment to help me with my medical condition and making me feel like I matter and not just another number that she has as a patient.
One star One star One star One star One star	09/12/2025	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	08/25/2025	Dr.Monica Rizzo is a EXCELLENT SERGENT ,CAREING AND EMPATETIC WOMAN. I will recommend her and her team .
One star One star One star One star One star	08/24/2025	Dr. Rizzo is an excellent physician and is an asset to the Emory Healthcare team.
One star One star One star One star One star	08/10/2025	Very good experience with Dr. Rizzo. The doctor was very informative and courteous.
One star One star One star One star One star	08/09/2025	Dr. Rizzo listens to my concerns and answering me honestly. She has gotten ne thru a difficult period at diagnosis (2021) to a place a peace and acceptance. She has been wonderful
One star One star One star One star One star	07/23/2025	Both doctors demonstrated a caring and accepting manner. Dr. Pakkala was preparing me for surgery, while Dr. Oza was assessing my physical abilities to walk safely, considering I have neuropathy in my toes. I am eager to begin rehab treatment after surgery.
One star One star One star One star One star	07/12/2025	Very good experience
One star One star One star One star Empty star	07/09/2025	Extremely short time spent with the doctor!
One star One star One star One star One star	07/03/2025	Dr Rizzo is the most caring and professional doctor I have ever been associated with. She is just awesome!!!!
One star One star One star One star One star	06/14/2025	I had a very good experience.
One star One star One star One star One star	06/13/2025	Very good
One star One star One star One star One star	05/28/2025	We discussed that due to my health concerns, that it would be to be to my best health outcome, that I postpone surgery.
One star One star One star One star One star	05/17/2025	Dr. Rizzo was really great! Talked me through everything.
One star One star One star One star One star	05/11/2025	I have no complaints
One star One star One star One star One star	05/09/2025	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	04/27/2025	Dr. Rizzo talked about the importance about adding more protein and calories to my diet, since I lost weight since I moved here. Now, I will drink small amounts of protein throughout the day, to boost my energy level and weight gain!
One star One star One star One star One star	04/25/2025	Very thorough. Also very kind.
One star One star One star One star One star	04/09/2025	Dr. Rizzo explained everything very clearly and I understood that she was not the one to treat my current condition.Although she was not the appropriate person to treat my problem, she was concerned like I am, about my low weight and inspired me to aggressively work on my nutrition. I took action after I left her office and plan to follow the advice of the nutritionist. I would like to express my gratitude to her.
One star One star One star One star One star	04/09/2025	Dr. Rizzo is very kind and she puts you at ease.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/31/2025	Dr Rizzo was wonderful--she showed care and concern and was intentional about ensuring I understood everything.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/22/2025	I came to Emory for a second opinion. So glad I did because Dr Rizzo and Dr Jade Jones looked at my whole body.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/12/2025	Dr Rizzo is wonderful!! I appreciate her outstanding expertise and her compassion.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/05/2025	Excellent location and a wonderful location
One star One star One star One star One star	02/26/2025	Great info and knowledge of illness and was give 3 things to treat the symptom
One star One star One star One star One star	02/26/2025	Dr. Rizzo was clear, transparent, and empathetic. I appreciate her very much.
One star One star One star One star One star	01/25/2025	Dr. Rizzo was able to explain everything in laymen's terms so I could understand stand as well as having a measuring device to show me the size of my mass. She even made sure I saw all the doctors that would be needed for my care before she does her part.
One star One star One star One star Empty star	01/03/2025	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	11/29/2024	Dr Rizzo has been amazing throughout the entire process. Very kind and professional.
One star One star One star One star One star	11/14/2024	Very good experience
One star One star One star One star One star	11/07/2024	Dr Rizzo and staff are great!
One star One star One star One star One star	11/06/2024	Dr. Rizzo is exceptional!
One star One star One star One star One star	11/03/2024	Trust Dr. Rizzo
One star One star One star One star One star	11/02/2024	I had a very good experience.
One star One star One star One star One star	10/30/2024	Dr. Rizzo is great!!!!
One star One star One star One star One star	10/25/2024	Excellent in all area's.
One star One star One star One star One star	10/25/2024	Dr. Rizzo has been great from the very beginning and It makes me feel better knowing she is taking care of me.
One star One star One star One star One star	10/16/2024	Would definitely refer Dr. Rizzo and Emory to others! Appreciate everyone's kindness!
One star One star One star One star One star	08/25/2024	Loved Dr Rizzo! Made me feel like she was going find answer to my health concerns!
One star One star One star One star One star	08/16/2024	Dr. Rizzo is an excellent doctor. She is caring and compassionate.
One star One star One star One star One star	08/14/2024	Good experience They Allowed for my three daughters to be included in the visit Two were on Zoom
One star One star One star One star One star	08/02/2024	Dr. Monica Rizzo was VERY caring, warm and patient with me being VERY thorough with the next few steps and her concerns!
One star One star One star One star One star	07/26/2024	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	06/28/2024	Dr Rizzo is an amazing practitioner. She deserves supportive and professional staff!!!!
One star One star One star One star One star	06/28/2024	Dr. Rizzo is excellent, both in her efficiency as a surgeon and in her communication skills. Provides straightforward answers to straightforward questions. I view her as a genuine asset to your organization.
One star One star One star One star One star	06/19/2024	Very satisfied with all the care.
One star One star One star One star One star	06/12/2024	Dr. Rizzo always listens to my concerns and I always feel better after my appointments.
One star One star One star One star One star	05/08/2024	Dr. Rizzo is wonderful!
One star One star One star One star One star	05/06/2024	Perfect
One star One star One star One star One star	04/03/2024	Dr Rizzo was on time and explained the procedure.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/27/2024	Dr Rizzo is the Ultimate!!! Could not expect a better physician.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/21/2024	I had a very good experience.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/20/2024	Dr. Rizzo laid out options very clearly and was very helpful.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/09/2024	Dr Rizzo is wonderful! She is warm, compassionate and very thorough in providing information and answering questions.