Kirstyn E. Brownson
( out of 480 reviews )

Kirstyn E. Brownson, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital North

2K, Gynecology and Mammography
1950 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City , UT 84112
801-213-4269
Get Directions

Sugar House Health Center

1280 E. Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City , UT 84106
801-581-2000
Get Directions

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.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Surgery

Patient Rating

Patients consistently describe Dr. Brownson as kind, empathetic, and genuinely caring, making them feel heard and at ease. Many note clear, thorough communication—she takes time to explain diagnoses and treatment options, answers questions, and includes patients in decision-making. Reviewers also praise her expertise, professionalism, attentiveness, and the supportive care she and her team provide throughout treatment.

Generated via Patient Reviews

4.9 /5
( out of 480 reviews )

The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers. The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

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.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Surgery -Associate Professor (Clinical)
Academic Divisions Surgical Oncology
Board Certification
American Board of Surgery

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Poppe MM, Boucher K, Gaffney DK, Brownson KE, Smith G, Howell JN, Ticona FF, Kim J, Burt L, Cannon D, Kokeny K (2025). NOVEMBER, A Phase 2 Trial of a 9-Day Course of Whole Breast Radiation Therapy With a Simultaneous Lumpectomy Boost for Early-Stage Breast Cancer. . Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 123(1), 141-149.
  2. Simon LH, Saviers-Steiger C, Dunston ER, Galyean P, Kimball ER, Mendez J, Zickmund SL, Hansen PA, Ulrich CM, LaStayo PC, Steinberg D, Noren CS, Finch A, Seckinger L, Braun E, Chipman J, Brownson KE, Oza S, Coletta AM (2025). Feasibility and acceptability of the Comprehensive Oncology Rehabilitation and Exercise (CORE) clinical workflow algorithm in patients with newly diagnosed stage I-III breast cancer who undergo surgery as first-line treatment. Cancer, 131(9), e35798.
  3. Nsaful J, Dedey F, Brownson KE, Laryea RY, Coleman N, Tetteh J, Sheriff MA, Clegg-Lamptey JN, Calys-Tagoe BNL (2024). Knowledge of breast cancer among patients undergoing breast cancer treatment at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana. Ecancermedicalscience, 18, 1808.
  4. Dedey F, Nsaful J, Brownson KE, Laryea RY, Coleman N, Tetteh J, Clegg-Lamptey JN, Calys-Tagoe BNL (2024). Health-seeking behaviour of breast cancer patients receiving care at a tertiary institution in Ghana. Ecancermedicalscience, 18, 1756.
  5. Price MD, Mali ME, Dedey F, Dzefi-Tettey K, Li Y, Almeida C, Brownson KE, Price RR, Sutherland EK (2025). Mammography and Breast Ultrasonography Services in Ghana, Availability, and Geographic Access. JCO Glob Oncol, 10, e2400218.
  6. Vaklavas C, Matsen CB, Chu Z, Boucher KM, Scherer SD, Pathi S, Beck A, Brownson KE, Buys SS, Chittoria N, DAstous E, Gulbahce HE, Henry NL, Kimani S, Porretta J, Rosenthal R, Ward J, Wei M, Welm BE, Welm AL (2024). TOWARDS Study: Patient-Derived Xenograft Engraftment Predicts Poor Survival in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. JCO Precis Oncol, 8, e2300724.
  7. Calys-Tagoe BN, Brownson K, Nsaful J, Dedey F, Tetteh J, Coleman N, Laryea RY, Clegg-Lamptey JN (2024). Satisfaction levels and associated influencing factors among inpatients and outpatients with breast cancer at a tertiary health facility in Ghana. Ghana Med J, 58(1), 7-16.
  8. Price MD, Rositch AF, Dedey F, Mali ME, Brownson KE, Nsaful J, Tounkara M, Price RR, Sutherland EK (2024). Availability and Geographic Access to Hospital-Based Breast Cancer Diagnostic Services in Ghana. JCO Glob Oncol, 10, e2300231.
  9. Brownson KE, Flores-Huidobro Martinez A, Ganbayar J, Sorensen LM, Darelli-Anderson AM, Prathibha S, Hoven N, Nansalmaa E, Mahlow J, Pushkin B, Potter D, Tuttle T, Price RR (2023). Development of an International Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mongolia. J Surg Res, 295, 776-782.
  10. Schoenhals S, Mali ME, Sutherland EK, Sorenson J, Dedey F, Nellermoe J, Flores-Huidobro Martinez A, Tounkara MD, Price RR, Brownson KE (2023). Geospatial availability of breast cancer treatment modalities and hypothetical access improvement in Ghana: A nationwide survey. PLoS One, 18(9), e0291454.
  11. Covington MF, Hoffman JM, Morton KA, Buckway B, Boucher KM, Rosenthal RE, Porretta JM, Brownson KE, Matsen CB, Vaklavas C, Ward JH, Wei M, Buys SS, Chittoria N, Yakish ED, Archibald ZG, Burrell LD, Butterfield RI, Yap JT (2023). Prospective Pilot Study of (18)F-Fluoroestradiol PET/CT in Patients With Invasive Lobular Carcinomas. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 221(2), 228-239.
  12. 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.
  13. Moustafa M, Mali ME, Lopez-Verdugo F, Sanyang O, Nellermoe J, Price RR, Manortey S, Biritwum-Nyarko A, Ofei I, Sorensen J, Goldsmith A, Brownson KE, Kumah A, Sutherland E (2021). Surveying and mapping breast cancer services in Ghana: a cross-sectional pilot study in the Eastern Region. BMJ Open, 11(11), e051122.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Salazar MC, Brownson KE, Nadzam GS, Duffy A, Roberts KE (2018). Gallbladder Agenesis: A Case Report. Yale J Biol Med, 91(3), 237-241.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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).
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.

Review

  1. Whitworth P, Vicini F, Valente SA, Brownson K, DuPree B, Kohli M, Lawson L, Shah C (2022). Reducing rates of chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema with screening and early intervention: an update of recent data. [Review]. J Cancer Surviv, 18(2), 344-351.

Conference Proceedings

  1. Yuan QQ, Xiao SX, Farouk O, Du YT, Sheybani F, Tan QT, Akbulut S, Cetin K, Alikhassi A, Yaghan RJ, Durur-Subasi I, Altintoprak F, Eom TI, Alper F, Hasbahceci M, Martnez-Ramos D, Oztekin PS, Kwong A, Pluguez-Turull CW, Brownson KE, Chandanwale S, Habibi M, Lan LY, Zhou R, Zeng XT, Bai J, Bai JW, Chen QR, Chen X, Zha XM, Dai WJ, Dai ZJ, Feng QY, Gao QJ, Gao RF, Han BS, Hou JX, Hou W, Liao HY, Luo H, Liu ZR, Lu JH, Luo B, Ma XP, Qian J, Qin JY, Wei W, Wei G, Xu LY, Xue HC, Yang HW, Yang WG, Zhang CJ, Zhang F, Zhang GX, Zhang SK, Zhang SQ, Zhang YQ, Zhang YP, Zhang SC, Zhao DW, Zheng XM, Zheng LW, Xu GR, Zhou WB, Wu GS (2022). Management of granulomatous lobular mastitis: an international multidisciplinary consensus (2021 edition). Mil Med Res, England, 9(1), 20.

Abstract

  1. Whitworth P, Vicini F, Valente SA, Brownson KE, DuPree B, Kohli M, Lawson L, Shah C (2022). Reducing rates of chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema with screening and early intervention: an update of recent data. 45th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. [Abstract].

News & Podcasts

Huntsman Cancer Institute News