A CUTTING-EDGE SURGEON: Breast Surgical Oncologist Dr. Rachel Hunter

With breast cancer affecting most every family, new-to-the-area Breast Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Rachel Hunter is someone we should all know. And, don’t let her beauty and youth fool you.
A force all her own, she is a top-notch breast surgeon who completed her fellowship training at Vanderbilt and brings with her the latest and most cutting-edge skills available. With the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of science and technology, Dr. Hunter is indeed on the forefront of breast cancer care and, luckily for us, found the perfect home at the Bay’s beloved Mitchell Cancer Institute. Here to help, meet Dr. Rachel Hunter.

By Caroline Edmondson // Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com

Originally from Mineral Wells, Texas (a small town southwest of Fort Worth), Dr. Rachel Hunter admits she’s felt the calling to become a doctor ever since her childhood, recognizing early on that her gifts for math and science, as well as her passion for helping and serving others, made becoming a physician a natural fit for her. “I also loved sports growing up and was very active, so when I began studying medicine, I was drawn to surgery early on,” she shares. “Like sports, surgery relies on a team of individuals to achieve a common goal.” Working to fulfill her dream, Dr. Hunter attended Tarleton State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree, and though medical school was the natural next step for Dr. Hunter, she wasn’t accepted the first time she applied. Resolved to see her dream through, she remained undeterred in her pursuit to become a doctor, going on to complete her Master of Science degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, to help strengthen her application. “I learned that perseverance and hard work pay off and that accomplishing my goals and dreams might not always happen via a straight path,” Dr. Hunter shares. “Sometimes that path is winding, but you end up where you’re supposed to be — in the right place and at the right time.”

The right time and place finally presented itself, leading her to earn her M.D. degree at Texas A&M’s College of Medicine. After school, Dr. Hunter spent the next two years training as a resident in general surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. “During my surgical resi- dency, I developed an interest in breast care in particular, because I wanted to serve and help other women,” she shares. “I really enjoyed working directly with patients — they were always so appreciative and grateful for my care.” Eventual- ly, Dr. Hunter made her way down to the Mobile Bay area, transferring as a third-year general surgery resident at the University of South Alabama (USA). Next, Dr. Hunter attended Vanderbilt University to complete her fellowship in breast surgical oncology before returning to the Gulf Coast to work for USA in the commu- nity she has grown to love so much. Now serving as a fellowship-trained female Breast Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Hunter provides patients with empathetic care and the understand- ing they need after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. “My passion is to help and serve others, and being able to help create a path and treatment plan that leaves my patients feeling

confident in their care means more to me than anything else,” she explains. “I genuinely love spending time with my patients and want each one to feel as though they are my only patient. My goal is to make each patient in my care feel seen and understood, as well as confident in their diagnosis and plan so that they leave their consultation knowing every question and concern they had was answered.” Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Hunter works hard to ensure all of her patients receive a treatment plan that is personally tailored to them. “There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment or surgery,” she shares. “Each patient has their own needs and goals from both a treatment plan and surgical perspective.” To provide her patients with expertise and a minimally invasive approach, Dr. Hunter specializes in two techniques: Nipple-Sparing Mastecto- mies and oncoplastic techniques. “Unique to my practice, I also offer pectoral nerve blocks for patients undergoing mastectomies to help reduce pain from surgery, and subsequently reduce the use of narcotics in the postoperative setting,” Dr. Hunter says.

“The oncoplastic techniques I specialize in are very important to improv- ing the overall cosmetic outcome for a woman,” Dr. Hunter explains. “Breast surgery scars can significantly impact a woman’s psychological and emotional recovery and quality of life after surgery because scars can have a large impact on a woman’s self-confidence, intimacy, and body image.” In a mastectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the breast cancer tumor by removing all of the breast tissue. There are several mastectomy options: a simple (total) mastectomy, a Skin-Sparing Mastectomy, and a Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM). The Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy is a type of mastectomy procedure where the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue but does not remove the nipple. “With the Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy, I can ensure all of the scars are hidden with incisions made in a place that is very hard to see,” she shares. Empowering women while providing them with the best surgical care is Dr. Hunter’s goal every time she walks into her office. “My passion is to make sure my patients know I am with them and for them throughout their entire journey, from initial diagnosis to treatment to post-surgery,” she says. “I think it is so import- ant to stay positive for my patients and to be a source of consistency for them in a time that can seem chaotic. In the cancer care journey, knowledge is power.” And simply put, as a woman working in the medical field, helping other women is nothing short of empowering. Owing her success to her amazing support system of friends and family, Dr. Hunter says, “I am so grateful that I grew up in an environment where I was always encouraged that I could do anything I set my mind to.”

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Hunter dedicates her time to various professional local and national organizations, including The American Society of Breast Surgeons, The Medical Society of Mobile County, The American College of Surgeons, The Surgical Society of Oncology, and the Association of Women Surgeons. She also volunteers her time for Casting for Recovery, an organization near and dear to her heart. “They’re a retreat environment where women who have had breast cancer are able to find healing and start their life again in a post-cancer scenario,” she shares. “I love being able to combine my love for volunteering in my community with my passion for medicine while meeting incredible women in the process,” she says.

Off the clock, Dr. Hunter has been married to her wonderful husband, John Hunter, (a local colon and rectal surgeon) for the past four years. “He’s the one who made me fall in love with Mobile,” she shares. “I love that he can always make me laugh. He’s so supportive no matter what kind of day I’ve had,” she gushes. “Some people think two surgeons in a household would be stressful, but we love that we can both under- stand the day-to-day life that comes with being a surgeon. We often end our days talking about our work and relating to each other’s challeng- es.” Together, the two share a sweet 7-year-old Cockapoo named Remi. “I’m definitely one of those people that always asks if dogs are allowed,” Dr. Hunter jokes. “She loves to go and just be with us no matter what we’re doing.” When Dr. Hunter isn’t working, she loves spending as much time outdoors with her husband as possible, whether it’s hiking, being on the water, or exploring the Gulf Coast. “We absolutely love that Mobile is a big city but has a small- town vibe,” she says. “We enjoy music and attending live concerts, and frequently visit the Cedar Street Social Club, where my husband plays the upright bass and I sometimes sing along,” she jokes. You can often catch her enjoying a beer at Braided River Brewing Company or a nice dinner and glass of vino at Red or White.

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