USA Health expanding with new breast surgical oncologist

By Lindsay Mott
lmott@health.southalabama.edu

For Rachel Hunter, M.D., a love for science and service combined with a passion for women’s health led her to a field where she now empowers her female patients to make decisions about their cancer care. After completing a residency at USA Health in general surgery in 2019, she now returns as a breast surgical oncologist and will offer several unique techniques to her patients.

Hunter, who is also an assistant professor of surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, earned a medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine before beginning her general surgery internship at Houston Methodist Hospital. She then transferred to USA Health to finish her residency when her husband, John Hunter, M.D., a colorectal surgeon, became an assistant professor at USA. She recently completed her breast surgical oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

Hunter knew she wanted to be a doctor from a young age and found herself drawn to surgery while in medical school. After playing sports as a child, her experience working with teammates to achieve a common goal made being a surgeon in the operating room seem like a natural fit, she said. During residency, she focused even more on breast surgical oncology because it embodied everything she was searching for in a surgical profession.

“I have always been passionate about women’s health,” Hunter said. “As a woman, I feel that I can connect on a personal level with my patients and have a fundamental understanding of their needs and goals.”

In conjunction with providing oncologic resections to her breast cancer patients, Hunter said she strives to implement the hidden scar technique whenever applicable to give the most aesthetic results.

She will also be providing a pectoral nerve block for patients undergoing a mastectomy – her skillset in this technique is new to USA Health and allows patients to have better pain control during and after surgery, which also helps patients use fewer narcotics.

“As an academic institution, we strive to provide the most up-to-date treatment modalities and stay current with the latest research,” Hunter said. “The breast center at USA Health is expanding and pioneering the way for comprehensive breast care in the Mobile area.”

In the breast care field, Hunter will work with a multidisciplinary team of medical and radiation oncologists and plastic surgeons to create an individualized plan for patients.

“When a new cancer patient comes to my clinic, my goal is that when they leave they will have an understanding of their diagnosis and prognosis, a plan in hand and all their questions and concerns answered,” she said.

Hunter will also provide surgery services for benign breast disease.

Originally from Mineral Wells, Texas, she attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, before attending graduate school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. 

The Hunters live in Mobile with their dog, Remi. Her hobbies include working out, reading, attending concerts, being outdoors and traveling.

Hunter is now accepting new patients. Call 251-660-5763 to schedule an appointment.