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Dr. Niamey Wilson, Breast Surgeon

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Dr. Niamey Wilson, Breast Surgeon

Dr. Wilson is a fellowship-trained breast surgeon; she is Director of Breast Surgery, Research & Quality, Hartford HealthCare Niamey P.
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Wilson MD FACS is a fellowship trained breast surgeon at Hartford HealthCare. Dr. Wilson is currently the Associate Director of the Breast Program at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute. She obtained her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She then completed a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at UPenn. During her research years she was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar and obtained a Masters Degree in Health Policy Research, also from UPenn. Dr. Wilson specializes in all aspects of breast health and the surgical management of complex breast diseases. She primarily sees women and men with breast cancer. Her extensive knowledge of novel and up-to-date treatment modalities for breast cancer is an asset to her practice and her patients. In addition, her technical skills, encompassing nipple-sparing mastectomy, oncoplastic surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and other minimally invasive techniques leads to outstanding clinical and aesthetic outcomes for patients. Follow Dr. Wilson on Instagram at .wilson, and on Twitter . She is a Contributor for the Huffington Post, her essays can be found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/niamey-wilson.

09/20/2021

In 1895, x-rays were discovered by a German scientist names Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. At that time, x-rays (so called because it was unidentified radiation, hence X-radiation) were noted to emanate from vacuum tubes charged with high voltage electric current. He noted light on the far wall of the room, rather than than being absorbed by a screen. (Michael Faraday, Humphry Davy and William Morgan may have actually discovered this in 1785, but credit is given primarily to Röntgen.)

Röntgen used his device to capture a picture of his wife’s hand, which clearly showed the bones as well as her wedding ring. The machine contained a tube and a hand-crank static electricity generator. Johns Hopkins Hospital was the first to own such a machine, and their first image ever was of a bullet lodged in a woman’s spine. All involved were constantly exposed to the radiation, depending on the distance from the device, which could be significant because an x-ray took 45 minutes to produce and the radiologist had to continually adjust and re-adjust the exposure.

However overall applications were limitless and the potential was enormous. Edison quickly took up research into x-rays and developed the Vitascope, which later became fluoroscopy (still used today) to observe live in-action x-ray imaging. Shoe stores x-rayed feet, which was especially delightful for children, throughout the 1920-50's.

Eventually many scientists developed burns, hair loss, and often required finger or limb amputations after repeated use, before lead was available. Repeated radiation exposure can cause fibrosis, essentially an internal scarring of the tissue, wth thinning blood vessels as the first sign. It takes years to present and damage is cumulative and irreversible. Keep in mind these were completely unprotected scientists, researchers, and laboratory personnel who were exposed to countless hours of radiation -- very different from a typical dose from a CT scan, a mammogram, or other tests that use ionizing radiation! The average dose of radiation from a mammogram is about the same as if you flew from NY to CA -- you’re 5 miles closer to the source when you’re at 37000 feet!!

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09/11/2021

These days, the act of scrubbing the hands before surgery is taken as standard practice. However it was only the second half of the 1800’s whereby surgeons began to understand that they might be contributing to infection by operating with dirty hands. For many years, they would enter into an operating theater, roll up their sleeves, and get to work. Some wore a garment called a “working coat”, which were essentially blood, human detritus and pus-stained coats from other surgeries that were hung outside the OR. The dirtier they were, the more of a badge of honor they represented. Surgeons operated with bare hands and infections were rampant due to unwitting contamination.

In 1865, Joseph Lister (think Listerine) began experimenting with carbolic acid to kill what he believed to be the causes of infective agents in operative wounds. He developed a carbolic acid spray to mist over the patient and surgeon called the carbolizer, and surgeons would dip their hands into a phenol or dilute carbolic acid solution. Dressings were also impregnated with this solution. Wound infections dropped dramatically and he published his research in the Lancet, but few were quick to adopt the practice.

Rubber gloves were introduced at first for autopsies, but these were too thick and unusable for surgery. Interestingly the first use of gloves was for the OR nurses (including Halsted's wife Caroline) who were developing severe dermatitis due to repeated rinsing with mercuric chloride. Around 1885, Dr. Halsted met with the Goodyear Rubber Company. They crafted a thin pair of rubber gloves, which were reusable as they could be boiled and sterilized with carbolic acid. By 1889, most of the nurses were wearing them, but it wasn’t until about 1896 when surgeons began wearing them routinely. Once hand washing and rubber gloves were routinely used for surgery, infection rates truly plummeted and the era of surgical sterility was born.

Today’s hand washing is typically done with a chlorhexidine or iodine base, and there are antimicrobial soaps and gels that are also used. Gloves today are latex or non-latex, powder free, and disposable, & surgical gowns are disposable or washable.

09/08/2021

Continuing our trip through medical history 💉⚕️📖 .... During the second half of the 19th century, ether, chloroform and co***ne were being used routinely for their anesthetic qualities. Both ether and chloroform are fairly pleasant-smelling and colorless, but ether is highly flammable. Both were somewhat difficult to regulate dosing, and there was a slim line between an effective dose versus a fatal paralytic dose. There were many deaths from accidental overdose during surgeries, including children and pregnant mothers.

During the Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848), ether was more commonly used on the battlefield and was officially issued by the US Army for use during amputations. However chloroform was slightly easier to administer and was considered safer due to its inflammable nature, and was thus used more often during the Civil War (1861 - 1865). As safer and more effective inhalation anesthetics were developed, both fell out of favor. Chloroform was also shown to be carcinogenic in laboratory mice.

Dr. Halsted (see previous post) first used co***ne as a nerve blocking agent in 1884, during a mandibular nerve block for a tooth extraction. Co***ne had been available in drinks (Coca-Cola patented in 1887, which contained co***ne until 1903), wine, tonics and other remedies, but it's addictive power was only just beginning to be understood. It was used in experimental spinal surgery as well, and first used in a lumbar puncture in 1898. It became very popular as an injectable regional anesthetic.

At that time, co***ne was easily obtainable from any local chemist or street vendor. Addiction became rampant, with Dr. Halsted as one it's most famous victims, which he tried to temper by counteracting it with morphine. In 1906, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, which restricted the use and sale of certain addictive substances including co***ne and he**in. Other regional anesthetics took its place including procaine and lidocaine in later years.

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09/07/2021

The other day, patient asked me why there was not a blood test or scan that could determine if a single cancer cell was developing somewhere in the body. It struck me that we have become so accustomed to rapid diagnosis, more accurate testing, and improved treatment, that we have forgotten just so far we have actually come in recent years.

Today marks the 99th anniversary of William Stewart Halsted's death. Most of you will not know his name, but he was most certainly one of the most, if not the most, important figures in the history of modern surgery. For the remainder of this month, I am going to provide some context to how much progress has been made in nearly living memory. We'll start with anesthesia.

Prior to 1845, the causes of infection were unknown and many doctors at that time believed that the root of bodily dysfunction was an imbalance of the 4 humors –– blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. Hardly any elective surgery was being performed either here or in Europe. Amputations were the most common surgery performed, often on unfortunate patients who were the victims of mill accidents or an overturned horse-drawn wagon. There was no anesthesia, and operative time was measured in minutes whereby the best surgeons could remove the limb in less than 10 minutes. Obviously surgeons did not have very good reputations, as many patients died from hemorrhage or infection, or became permanently disfigured. The mortality rate for more serious surgeries was higher than 50%.

A dentist named William Morton first used ether to remove a neck tumor on a sleeping patient. This was the first step in being able to perform not only small procedures like this, but also dental extractions which previously were excruciating torture for both patient and dentist. Many procedures followed quickly thereafter. In 1846, Oliver Wendell Holmes coined the term as follows: "The state of lack of sensation should, I think, be called 'Anesthesia'." Nowadays, there are many variations on how to induce the anesthetic state during both minor and major procedures, and surgery today is extraordinarily safe.

More to come!

08/03/2021

Wait, who's taking care of the patients if you're all here...?! Is literally what our CEO said 😂
It appears we also independently hit up Lily Pulitzer for some cute skirts.

Spent an absolutely gorgeous ☀️day at playing 18 holes as part of a major fundraising event for the MidState Medical Center Cancer Institute. Thankfully scramble format, but we still managed to come in way down the list... !! But we all had a great time and enjoyed supporting a great cause. (And don't worry, we have a large division and plenty of coverage! 😜) Already looking forward to next year's event!!!!🏌️⛳

07/29/2021

Today is a hard day. Five years ago, I was a first responder to a horrible car accident on I-84, just before exit 31 northbound. I stopped, pulled a young woman out of her car, did CPR for 30 minutes along with several amazing human beings who also stopped, before she was air-lifted to a local hospital. Unfortunately she didn’t survive her injuries, never woke up and died on this day, 5 years ago, at the age of 26. She was an only child. I think about her all the time. I attended her funeral, and months later wrote an article about my experience, with the consent of her parents Sandy and Kevin.

They have since created a memorial fund in her name, and donate funds for scholarships for school-age students. They’ve given hundreds of dollars to these students, and have a pasta dinner in Waterbury every year to raise money, with 100% of the dollars going to the students (all of the food, drinks and t-shirts are donated). Please consider donating to these wonderful parents who continue to show their true selves in their infinite generosity and kindness, who opened their arms to me in the worst moment of their lives, and are now spending their spare time helping other kids attend school -- I’ll share their link to the FB page in my bio and in my stories, as well as my article.

Rest in peace Joanna.

06/22/2021

This week I was lucky enough to have an amazing high school student .verbitsky shadowing me. One of the absolute best parts of my job is teaching, and even more enjoyable when that student is inquisitive, intelligent and not squeamish !! 😅🩸💉

I have a few shadowing opportunities coming up over the summer, with several high school and college students. While I love teaching medical students and PA students, it's always so cool to see the reactions of someone who has never been in an operating room before. (Most important rule, don't touch anything blue!) I love getting a chance to teach the next generation. As they say, see one, do one, teach one. That's what it's all about. 💥

03/31/2021

National Doctors Day love ❤️🥰💜🤗💚

One of the reasons I love being a doctor because it means I get to work with the *most* amazing people. My superteam at the MidState Breast Center knows I love succulents, and this one is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you !!

Wishing all of my fellow colleagues a very happy National Doctors Day! 😊🩺🧑‍⚕️👩‍⚕️🥼⚕️

02/27/2021

Four out of five days this week in the OR. This is my happy place, because I know I'm getting to kick a little cancer butt. Almost everyone is worried about going under anesthesia and the OR can seem like a terrifying place, but surgery these days is incredibly safe. And it's where I do I am meant to do. Most of my patients wake up in the recovery room and breathe a huge sigh of relief -- because it's finally OUT, and any discomfort is outweighed by that wonderful feeling. And that's what I always remind them during those scary moments in the pre-op area.

Getting scrubbed up and ready to head back in, & get in a few more punches..... 🥊🥊
Happy Friday everyone!!

02/05/2021

So this happened today.
I'm thrilled to accept the promotion to Associate Director for the Breast Program at Hartford HealthCare. This is a 7-hospital system in Connecticut, where nearly 1 in 3 breast cancer patients receive care. I am truly looking forward to this next exciting step in my career.

02/04/2021

Wishing all of my colleagues a very Happy National Women Physicians Day (NWPD)!! Special shout out to my mother, a pioneer in her own right, as one of the female physicians who encouraged me to pursue my dream to become a doctor like her. She will soon be installed as the next President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and perhaps one day I can fill her large footsteps. Mom, I am proud to have followed in your work, albeit with a scalpel, to help others.

NWPD is a newer holiday, held on February 3rd, which is the believed birthdate of Elizabeth Blackwell. British by birth, Dr. Blackwell was the first female doctor in the US. She was rejected from every medical school to which she applied, except Geneva Medical College (now a SUNY), where her male colleagues voted for her acceptance. Hence, she was the first woman to graduate from a US medical school in 1849.

reminds us that we still have a long way to go. Although there are many women in medicine currently, there are still issues including lower salaries, microaggressions, sexual harassment, maternity related discrimination, and other barriers. It is up to all of us to continue to encourage parity in the workplace, promote women into leadership positions, support pregnancy and maternity leave, and bolster the female mentorship pool.

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435 Lewis Avenue
Meriden, CT

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12036945200

Website

http://www.wilsonbreastsurgery.com/

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Niamey P. Wilson MD, MA, FACS is the Director of Breast Surgery, Research and Quality, for the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute. In addition to this role, she is also the Breast Surgery Division Lead for the HHC Medical Group. She will be working with the outstanding breast cancer providers at Hartford Healthcare, including Dr. Patricia DeFusco, current Director of the Breast Cancer Program, as well as with the breast cancer team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is the primary breast surgical lead for breast surgery clinical trials.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilson, please call (203) 694 - 5200 She will be seeing patients at MidState Medical Center in Meriden, CT from February through December of 2019. Beginning in December of 2019, she will also be seeing patients in Farmington, CT. Please visit www.wilsonbreastsurgery.com for more details and contact information.

Dr. Wilson obtained her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She then completed general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, as well as a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at UPenn. During her research years she was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar and obtained a Masters Degree in Health Policy Research, also from UPenn. Dr. Wilson is an expert in all aspects of breast health. She specializes in all aspects of breast health and the surgical management of complex breast diseases. She sees women and men with newly diagnosed or a previous history of breast cancer, benign breast masses and cysts, abnormal imaging, fibrocystic breast disease, those with genetic susceptibility or at high risk for breast cancer, and many others. Her extensive knowledge of novel and up-to-date treatment modalities for breast cancer is an asset to her practice and her patients. In addition, her technical skills, encompassing nipple-sparing mastectomy, oncoplastic surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and other minimally invasive techniques leads to outstanding clinical and aesthetic outcomes for patients. Follow Dr. Wilson on Instagram at @doctor.wilson, and on Twitter @NiameyWilson. She is a Contributor for the Huffington Post, her essays can be found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/niamey-wilson.