
Languages Spoken: English
Kirstyn E. Brownson, MD, is a fellowship-trained surgical breast oncologist at the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is a board-certified general surgeon and an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery specializing in the surgical management of benign and malignant diseases of the breast.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude with Highest Departmental Honors with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Butler University, her experiences as an AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA) solidified her career path in medicine. Dr. Brownson completed a post-baccalaureate premedical program at Johns Hopkins University and two years of basic science research at the National Institutes of Health prior to medical school matriculation. She received her MD with Honors in Research from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and then completed a rigorous residency in general surgery at Yale where she was named Research Resident of the Year. She completed fellowship training in surgical breast oncology at the University of Southern California and is experienced with advanced surgical techniques such as oncoplastic surgery, extreme oncoplastic surgery, skin and nipple sparing mastectomies, and targeted axillary dissection. She is passionate about providing her patients with the best evidence-based, patient-focused care.
Dr. Brownson’s work has been presented at national and regional meetings. She maintains active membership in prestigious national organizations including the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and Society of Surgical Oncology.
Clinical Locations
Clinic 3A, Center for Breast Health
801-587-4241
Fax: (801) 585-3520
801-581-2000
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
Board Certification | American Board of Surgery |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5

Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5

Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.9/ 5

Wait time at clinic
4.4/ 5

Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.9/ 5

Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
November 14, 2022
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Dr Brownson and her team are absolutely amazing.
UofU Patient
October 25, 2022
Sugar House Health Center
Dr. Brownson is compassionate, caring and all around excellent!
UofU Patient
October 24, 2022
Huntsman Cancer Institute
No complaint's it was a good apointment
UofU Patient
October 23, 2022
Sugar House Health Center
Dr Brownson was very thorough, and explained everything. She and the nurse prior to her were great about my concerns
UofU Patient
October 19, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
My Dr seems to genuinely care and remembers me as an individual, things about me. I feel like my care is important to her as much as it is to me. I would not require those things of a provider, but they stand out with her. I trust her.
UofU Patient
October 12, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
She was articulate, easy to understand, caring and reassuring!
UofU Patient
October 10, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
September 29, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I will make an in office visit and she will be able to further evaluate.
UofU Patient
September 15, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I really like Dr. Brownson. She is nice and caring and explains things very well
UofU Patient
September 13, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Brownson came in late and immediately launched into a discussion at a million miles a minute while she watched me take notes furiously. Only if I stopped her to answer a question did she stop. After 1/2 hour, she said she had to go see another patient. That was it - and she suggested scheduling a follow up zoom call on the 12th, which was later changed to the 19th. Her interpersonal doctor to patient skills were lacking. I don't doubt that she knew her subject matter, but it did not leave us feeling confident. Her overall explanation of my situation and treatment was curt, unsatisfactory and almost insulting. I learned very little about the actual aspects of surgery.
UofU Patient
September 11, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I was asked if I was agreeable to do all of the tests recommended, which I was. We haven't reached the point of conversation about proposed treatment and my opinion of that.
UofU Patient
September 05, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I don't feel that what I think is taken into account. She's the expert.
UofU Patient
August 28, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Would highly recommend
UofU Patient
August 07, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Brownson is the epitome of kindness, transparency, and professionalism.
UofU Patient
July 26, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Brownson and her staff are excellent.
UofU Patient
July 23, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Her explanation was clear. We talked about possible surgeries but not in detail.
UofU Patient
July 06, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Excellent care! Listened to my concerns and took the time to resolve the issues! She AMAZING and I am truly grateful to have her as my surgeon/provider! Quality care at it's BEST!!
UofU Patient
July 03, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Superb, outstanding, spectacular care
UofU Patient
June 30, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Brownson and her team are exceptional! Every effort is mad by all staff members to give friendly knowledgeable compassionate care!
UofU Patient
June 26, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The best hospital I have ever been to.
UofU Patient
June 25, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Brownson was very clear and responsive.
UofU Patient
June 25, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Happy with the advice given by Dr Brownson.
UofU Patient
June 25, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Brownson is the best!! Capable, knowledgeable and you can tell she really cares. She's not fake.
UofU Patient
June 22, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Best care available on planet earth! She listened, understood my concerns and explained how to resolve them! Took an incredible intrest in me and my care and explained perfectly all the questions I had! THANK YOU FOR THE EXCELLENT CARE AND COMPASSION Dr. Brownson!
UofU Patient
June 21, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I am very happy with Dr Brownson.
UofU Patient
June 19, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Thank you very much
UofU Patient
June 18, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
She was amazing
UofU Patient
June 12, 2022
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I can not say enough good things about the care.
UofU Patient
June 06, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Outstanding! Articulate, thorough, listened, concerned, professional, and a sense of humor! I'm grateful!
Kirstyn E. Brownson, MD, is a fellowship-trained surgical breast oncologist at the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is a board-certified general surgeon and an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery specializing in the surgical management of benign and malignant diseases of the breast.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude with Highest Departmental Honors with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Butler University, her experiences as an AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA) solidified her career path in medicine. Dr. Brownson completed a post-baccalaureate premedical program at Johns Hopkins University and two years of basic science research at the National Institutes of Health prior to medical school matriculation. She received her MD with Honors in Research from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and then completed a rigorous residency in general surgery at Yale where she was named Research Resident of the Year. She completed fellowship training in surgical breast oncology at the University of Southern California and is experienced with advanced surgical techniques such as oncoplastic surgery, extreme oncoplastic surgery, skin and nipple sparing mastectomies, and targeted axillary dissection. She is passionate about providing her patients with the best evidence-based, patient-focused care.
Dr. Brownson’s work has been presented at national and regional meetings. She maintains active membership in prestigious national organizations including the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and Society of Surgical Oncology.
Academic Locations
Huntsman Cancer Hospital
801-581-2431
(801) 585-3749
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
Board Certification | American Board of Surgery |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Neuberger K, McCrary H, Beckstrom J, Darelli-Anderson AM, Farrell TW, Brooke BS, Smith BK, Brownson KE (2022). Improving healthcare transitions of surgical care through an interprofessional education elective. J Am Geriatr Soc, 70(3), E11-E14.
- Lynch KA Jr, Brown RF, Steinhagen E, Jacobson DL, Malhotra N, Hendershot K, Brownson KE, Bialowas C, Abdou H, Smith BK, Miller M (2021). Transition from trainee to educator in the operating room: A needs assessment and framework to support junior faculty. Am J Surg, 223, 1112-1119.
- Sanyang O, Lopez-Verdugo F, Mali M, Moustafa M, Nellermoe J, Sorensen J, Bittaye M, Njie R, Singhateh Y, Sambou NA, Goldsmith A, Mohammed NI, Brownson KE, Price RR, Sutherland E (2021). Geospatial analysis and impact of targeted development of breast cancer care in The Gambia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res, 21(1), 943.
- Brownson KE, Bertoni DM, Lannin DR, Cohen PJ, Pronovost MT (2019). Granulomatous lobular mastitis-Another paradigm shift in treatment. Breast J, 25(4), 790-791.
- Hsu C, Brahmandam A, Brownson KE, Huynh N, Reynolds J, Lee AI, Fares WH, Ochoa Chaar CI (2019). Statin therapy associated with improved thrombus resolution in patients with deep vein thrombosis. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord, 7(2), 169-175.e4.
- Lang JE, Brownson KE (2018). ASO Author Reflections: The Whole Transcriptome Landscape of Circulating Tumor Cells in Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol, 25(Suppl 3), 646-647.
- Salazar MC, Brownson KE, Nadzam GS, Duffy A, Roberts KE (2018). Gallbladder Agenesis: A Case Report. Yale J Biol Med, 91(3), 237-241.
- Brownson KE, Brahmandam A, Huynh N, Reynolds J, Fares WH, Lee AI, Dardik A, Ochoa Chaar CI (2017). Characteristics of provoked deep venous thrombosis in a tertiary care center. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord, 5(4), 477-484.
- Bai H, Kuwahara G, Wang M, Brownson KE, Foster TR, Yamamoto K, Xing Y, Dardik A (2014). Pretreatment of pericardial patches with antibiotics does not alter patch healing in vivo. J Vasc Surg, 63(4), 1063-73.
- Brahmandam AS, Brownson K, Skrip L, Parker T, Indes J, Sarac T, Dardik A, Chaar CI (2015). Management of isolated calf vein thrombosis in cancer patients. Vascular, 24(1), 64-9.
- Shalaby SY, Foster TR, Hall MR, Brownson KE, Vasilas P, Federman DG, Mojibian HR, Dardik A (2015). Systemic Inflammatory Disease and Its Association With Type II Endoleak and Late Interventions After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. JAMA Surg, 151(2), 147-53.
- Assi R, Brownson KE, Hall MR, Kuwahara G, Vasilas P, Dardik A (2015). Advanced age and disease predict lack of symptomatic improvement after endovascular iliac treatment in male veterans. Yale J Biol Med, 88(1), 85-91.
- Hall MR, Yamamoto K, Protack CD, Tsuneki M, Kuwahara G, Assi R, Brownson KE, Bai H, Madri JA, Dardik A (2014). Temporal regulation of venous extracellular matrix components during arteriovenous fistula maturation. J Vasc Access, 16(2), 93-106.
- Yamamoto K, Protack CD, Kuwahara G, Tsuneki M, Hashimoto T, Hall MR, Assi R, Brownson KE, Foster TR, Bai H, Wang M, Madri JA, Dardik A (2015). Disturbed shear stress reduces Klf2 expression in arterial-venous fistulae in vivo. Physiol Rep, 3(3).
- Mehta A, Baker TA, Shoup M, Brownson K, Amde S, Doren E, Shah S, Kuo P, Angelats J (2011). Biplanar flap reconstruction for pressure ulcers: experience in patients with immobility from chronic spinal cord injuries. Am J Surg, 203(3), 303-6; discussion 306-7.
- Farmer KW, Jones LC, Brownson KE, Khanuja HS, Hungerford MW (2009). Trochanteric bursitis after total hip arthroplasty: incidence and evaluation of response to treatment. J Arthroplasty, 25(2), 208-12.
- Callaci JJ, Himes R, Lauing K, Wezeman FH, Brownson K (2009). Binge alcohol-induced bone damage is accompanied by differential expression of bone remodeling-related genes in rat vertebral bone. Calcif Tissue Int, 84(6), 474-84.
- Wassif CA, Brownson KE, Sterner AL, Forlino A, Zerfas PM, Wilson WK, Starost MF, Porter FD (2007). HEM dysplasia and ichthyosis are likely laminopathies and not due to 3beta-hydroxysterol Delta14-reductase deficiency. Hum Mol Genet, 16(10), 1176-87.