Gail Lebovic
M.D. ’86
Oncoplastic Surgeon, Inventor, Entrepreneur
Monumental Achievement: An internationally recognized expert on breast reconstruction and surgical options after cancer, surgeon and entrepreneur Dr. Gail Lebovic has dedicated her career to improving the delivery of women’s healthcare. She is the founder/co-founder of eight medical technology companies and the School of Oncoplastic Surgery, a nonprofit dedicated to broadening surgeons’ skills in the oncologic and cosmetic aspects of breast surgery with the aim of improving patient care. Among her many honors are the prestigious Pathfinder Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 World Congress of Breast Healthcare and the Spirit of Achievement Award from the American Cancer Society in 2012 as recognition of her talents as a skilled clinician and her success as an innovator.
"At a very young age, I dreamed of becoming a physician. My family, friends and GW ultimately made that a reality for me. My mother always said 'a good education is something you can take with you anywhere.' How right she was. I carry with me each day the strong educational foundation, experiences, memories and clinical skills that I acquired during my wondrous years at George Washington Medical School. Those years provided a launching pad for me and a life that has been an amazing journey! I could never have imagined receiving an honor like this and I am so grateful. Thank you GW for providing an environment where students can gain an education, dream big and reach for the sky!"
Biography
Dr. Gail Lebovic has committed her career to improving the delivery of women’s healthcare, with a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer. Internationally recognized for her ground-breaking work as an oncoplastic surgeon, Lebovic is also highly regarded as a creative inventor, visionary leader and entrepreneur in the field of medical device development.
At the 2014 World Congress of Breast Healthcare, she received the prestigious Pathfinder Lifetime Achievement Award and the Spirit of Achievement Award from the American Cancer Society in 2012 as recognition of her talents as a skilled clinician and her success as an innovator.
Since 1993, Dr. Lebovic has served as director of several important clinical programs, and has been active in philanthropy, including serving as past president of the American Society of Breast Disease. She is a passionate patient advocate and commits much of her time to global educational projects in surgery and women’s health.
Lebovic is the founder/co-founder of eight medical technology companies, including Focal Therapeutics (Hologic), VivaRay (Varian Medical Systems), Biolucent (Hologic), Cianna Medical (Merit Medical), Expand-A-Band and CuRay Medical. Together, these acquisitions totaled close to half a billion dollars.
She is also the founder of the School of Oncoplastic Surgery (SOS), a nonprofit dedicated to broadening surgeons’ skills in the oncologic and cosmetic aspects of breast surgery with the aim to raise patient care. Since its inception in 2007, SOS has trained over 1,000 surgeons, reaching upwards of 200,000 women annually.
Lebovic was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1994. As a passionate patient advocate, she has authored numerous scientific publications and has been featured as a breast healthcare expert in various broadcast media, including ABC Primetime News, CNN World Report and Cooper Healthy Living, as well as in countless newspaper articles, magazine features and radio talk shows across the world. Lebovic has also provided online content regarding breast healthcare for Yahoo Health. She enjoys community outreach education and frequently appears as an invited guest for community and corporate speaking engagements.