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Karen Wells, MD

4.9 (35)

Specialty: Plastic Surgery

Language(s): English

  • Overview

    Dr. Wells is a Plastic Surgeon who is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. She graduated summa cum laude from Ohio University with a B.S. degree and received her M.D. degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine. Selected by her peers, Dr. Wells has been included in the book “The Best Doctors in America” every year from 1996-97 to 2009-2010 editions. She was included in the Best Doctors for Breast Cancer Treatment in the October 2003 Redbook magazine. Dr. Wells' practice focuses on breast reconstruction; and skin cancer including melanoma lymphatic mapping of the head and neck.  

    Education & Training

    Residency:

    • University of Pittsburgh - Surgery
    • University of Pittsburgh - Plastic Surgery

    Medical School:

    • Ohio State University - MD
  • Publications

    • Vamos CA, Lockhart E, Vázquez-Otero C, Thompson EL, Proctor S, Wells KJ, Daley EM. Abnormal pap tests among women living in a Hispanic migrant farmworker community: A narrative of health literacy. J Health Psychol. 2018 Oct.23(12):1622-1634. Pubmedid: 27543460. Pmcid: PMC7815640.
    • Ustjanauskas AE, Quinn GP, Pan TM, Rivera M, Vázquez-Otero C, Ung D, Roetzheim RG, Laronga C, Johnson K, Norton M, Carrizosa C, Muñoz D, Goldenstein M, Nuhaily S, Wells KJ. Facilitators of Survivorship Care Among Underserved Breast Cancer Survivors: a Qualitative Study. J Cancer Educ. 2017 Dec.32(4):756-763. Pubmedid: 27385123. Pmcid: PMC5219875.
    • Arevalo M, Jacobsen PB, Gwede CK, Meade CD, Quinn GP, Luque JS, San Miguel GI, Watson D, Wells KJ. Erratum to: Development and validation of the biobanking attitudes and knowledge survey-Spanish (BANKS-SP). J Community Genet. 2016 Oct.7(4):315. Pubmedid: 27787753. Pmcid: PMC5138167.
    • Wells KJ, Pan TM, Vázquez-Otero C, Ung D, Ustjanauskas AE, Muñoz D, Laronga C, Roetzheim RG, Goldenstein M, Carrizosa C, Nuhaily S, Johnson K, Norton M, Sims E, Quinn GP. Barriers and facilitators to endocrine therapy adherence among underserved hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer. 2016 Oct.24(10):4123-4130. Pubmedid: 27146492. Pmcid: PMC4995114.
    • Pu L, Cruse C, Wells K, Shons A, Reintgen D. Superficial femoral lymph node dissection after positive sentinel lymphadenectomy for early-stage melanoma of the lower extremity. Ann Plast Surg. 2003 Jul.51(1):69-76. Pubmedid: 12838128.
    • Pu LL, Wells KE, Cruse CW, Shons AR, Reintgen DS. Prevalence of additional positive lymph nodes in complete lymphadenectomy specimens after positive sentinel lymphadenectomy findings for early-stage melanoma of the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Jul.112(1):43-49. Pubmedid: 12832875.
    • Pu LL, Cruse CW, Wells KE, Cantor A, Glass LF, Messina JL, Reintgen DS. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with melanoma of the lower extremity. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1999 Sep.104(4):964-969. Pubmedid: 10654734.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse C, Wells K. The next revolution in general surgery: radioguided surgery. Ann Surg Oncol. 1999 Mar.6(2):125-126. Pubmedid: 10082030.
    • Roberts C, Wells K, Walden K. Toward Understanding Women Who Request Removal of Silicone Breast Implants. Breast J. 1999 Jul.5(4):246-251. Pubmedid: 11348295.
    • Wells K, Stadelmann W, Rapaport D, Hamlin R, Cruse C, Reintgen D. Parotid selective lymphadenectomy in malignant melanoma. Ann Plast Surg. 1999 Jul.43(1):1-6. Pubmedid: 10402980.
    • Joseph E, Brobeil A, Cruse C, Wells K, Costello D, Reintgen D. Lymphatic mapping for melanomas of the upper extremity. J Hand Surg Am. 1999 Jul.24(4):675-681. Pubmedid: 10447156.
    • Brobeil A, Berman C, Cruse C, DeConti R, Cantor A, Lyman G, Rapaport D, Joseph E, Wells K, Reintgen D. Efficacy of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for extremity-confined recurrent melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 1998 Jun.5(4):376-383. Pubmedid: 9641461.
    • Roberts C, Wells K, Daniels S. Outcome study of the psychological changes after silicone breast implant removal. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997 Sep.100(3):595-599. Pubmedid: 9283555.
    • Wells K, Rapaport D, Cruse C, Payne W, Albertini J, Berman C, Lyman G, Reintgen D. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma of the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997 Sep.100(3):591-594. Pubmedid: 9283554.
    • Walden KJ, Thompson JK, Wells KE. Body image and psychological sequelae of silicone breast explantation: preliminary findings. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997 Oct.100(5):1299-1306. Pubmedid: 9326796.
    • Reintgen D, Joseph E, Lyman G, Yeatman T, Balducci L, Ku N, Berman C, Shons A, Wells K, Horton J, Greenberg H, Nicosia S, Clark R, Shivers S, Li W, Wang X, Cantor A, Cox C. The Role of Selective Lymphadenectomy in Breast Cancer. Cancer Control. 1997 May.4(3):211-219. Pubmedid: 10763020.
    • Kamath D, Cantor A, Glass L, Fenske N, Cruse C, Wells K, Rapaport D, DeConti R, Messina J, Reintgen D. Florida's undeclared epidemic: malignant melanoma. J Fla Med Assoc. 1997 Mar.84(3):161-165. Pubmedid: 9143167.
    • Brobeil A, Kamath D, Cruse CW, Rapaport DP, Wells KE, Shons AR, Messina JL, Glass LF, Berman CG, Puleo CA, Reintgen DS. The clinical relevance of sentinel lymph nodes identified with radiolymphoscintigraphy. J Fla Med Assoc. 1997 Mar.84(3):157-160. Pubmedid: 9143166.
    • Kamath D, Rapaport D, DeConti R, Cruse C, Wells K, Glass L, Messina J, Fenske N, Brobeil A, Berman C, Puleo C, Reintgen D. Redefining cutaneous lymphatic flow: the necessity of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy in the management of malignant melanoma. J Fla Med Assoc. 1997 Mar.84(3):182-187. Pubmedid: 9143170.
    • Cruse CW, Reintgen D, Glass F, Messina J, Trotti A, DeConti R, Wells K. Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Skin. Cancer Control. 1997 Jul.4(4):346-348. Pubmedid: 10763041.
    • Reintgen D, Glass F, Fenske N, Cruse CW, Rapaport D, Messina J, Wells KE, DeConti R, Marshburn J. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Melanoma. Cancer Control. 1997 Jan.4(1):45-52. Pubmedid: 10763004.
    • Brobeil A, Rapaport D, Wells K, Cruse C, Glass F, Fenske N, Albertini J, Miliotis G, Messina J, DeConti R, Berman C, Shons A, Cantor A, Reintgen D. Multiple primary melanomas: implications for screening and follow-up programs for melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 1997 Jan.4(1):19-23. Pubmedid: 8985513.
    • Wells K, Roberts C, Daniels S, Pann D, Clement V, Reintgen D, Cox C. Psychological symptoms of women requesting removal of breast implants, breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997.99:680-685. Pubmedid: 9047186.
    • Rapaport D, Stadelmann W, Wells K, Cruse C, Hamlin R, Reintgen D. Parotid gland sentinel lymphadenectomy in malignant melanoma. Melanoma Res. 1997.7:1-6. Pubmedid: noPMID.
    • Albertini J, Cruse C, Rapaport D, Wells K, DeConti R, Berman C, Jared K, Messina J, Lyman G, Glass L, Fenske N, Reintgen D. Intraoperative radio-lympho-scintigraphy improves sentinel lymph node identification for patients with melanoma. Ann Surg. 1996 Feb.223(2):217-224. Pubmedid: 8597518. Pmcid: PMC1235100.
    • Albertini J, Lyman G, Cox C, Yeatman T, Balducci L, Ku N, Shivers S, Berman C, Wells K, Rapaport D, Shons A, Horton J, Greenberg H, Nicosia S, Clark R, Cantor A, Reintgen D. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy in the patient with breast cancer. Jama. 1996 Dec.276(22):1818-1822. Pubmedid: 8946902.
    • Glass LF, Messina JL, Cruse W, Wells K, Rapaport D, Miliotes G, Berman C, Reintgen D, Fenske NA. The use of intraoperative radiolymphoscintigraphy for sentinel node biopsy in patients with malignant melanoma. Dermatol Surg. 1996 Aug.22(8):715-720. Pubmedid: 8780765.
    • Reintgen D, Albertini J, Berman C, Cruse C, Fenske N, Glass L, Puleo C, Wang X, Wells K, Rapaport D, DeConti R, Messina J, Heller R. Accurate Nodal Staging of Malignant Melanoma. Cancer Control. 1995 Oct.2(5):405-414. Pubmedid: 10862181.
    • Reintgen D, Albertini J, Miliotes G, Berman C, Cruse C, Fenske N, Glasser S, Puleo C, Wang X, Wells K, Rapaport D, DeConti R, Messina J, Heller R. The accurate staging and modern day treatment of malignant melanoma. Cancer Res Ther Cont. 1995.4:183-197. Pubmedid: noPMID.
    • Wells K, Roberts C, Daniels S, Kearney R, Cox C. Psychological and rheumatic symptoms of women requesting breast implant removed. Ann Plast Surg. 1995.34:572-577. Pubmedid: 7661532.
    • Wang X, Heller R, VanVoorhis N, Cruse CW, Glass F, Fenske N, Berman C, Leo-Messina J, Rappaport D, Wells K, Deconti R, Moscinski L, Stankard C, Puleo C, Reintgen D. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases with polymerase chain reaction in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Surg. 1994 Dec.220(6):768-774. Pubmedid: 7986144. Pmcid: PMC1234479.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse CW, Wells K, Berman C, Fenske N, Glass F, Schroer K, Heller R, Ross M, Lyman G. The orderly progression of melanoma nodal metastases. Ann Surg. 1994 Dec.220(6):759-767. Pubmedid: 7986143. Pmcid: PMC1234478.
    • Wells KE, Cruse CW, Baker JL, Daniels SM, Stern RA, Newman C, Seleznick MJ, Vasey FB, Brozena S, Albers SE. The health status of women following cosmetic surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1994 Apr.93(5):907-912. Pubmedid: 8134482.
    • Wells KE, Cruse CW, Daniels S, Berman C, Norman J, Reintgen DS. The use of lymphoscintigraphy in melanoma of the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1994 Apr.93(4):757-761. Pubmedid: 8134434.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse C, Wells K, Berman C, Fenske N, Glass L, Schroer K, Heller R, Ross M, Lyman G, Cox C, Rapaport D, Seigler H, Balch C. The orderly progression of melanoma nodal metastases. Ann Surg. 1994.220(6):759-767.
    • Payne W, Wells K. Extramammary Paget's disease of the scrotum. Ann Plast Surg. 1994.33:669-671.
    • Wells K, Cruse C, Daniels S, Berman C, Norman Jr. J, Reintgen D. The use of lymphoscintigraphy in melanoma of the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1994.93:757-761.
    • Wang X, Heller R, Cruse C, VanVoorhis N, Glass L, Fenske N, Berman C, Leo-Messina J, Rapaport D, Wells K, DeConti R, Moscinski L, Stankard C, Puleo C, Reintgen D. Detection of submicroscopic lymph node metasases with polymerase chain reaction in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Surg. 1994.220:768-774.
    • Wells A, Daniels S, Gunasekaran S, Wells K. Local increase in hyaluronic acid and interleukin-2 in the capsules surrounding silicone breast implants. Ann Plast Surg. 1994.33:1-5.
    • Wells K, Cruse C, Baker J, Daniels S, Stern R, Newman C, Seleznick M, Vasey F, Brozena S, Albers S, Fenske N. The health status of women following cosmetic surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1994.93:907-912.
    • McAllister E, Wells K, Chaet M, Norman Jr. J, Cruse C. Perineal reconstruction after surgical extirpation of pelvic malignancies using the transpelvic transverse rectus abdominal myocutaneous flap. Ann Surg Oncol. 1994.1(2):164-168.
    • Stankard CE, Cruse C, Wells K, Karl R. Chronic pressure ulcer carcinomas. Ann Plast Surg. 1993.30(3):274-277.
    • Norman Jr. J, Wells K, Kearney R, Cruse C, Berman C, Reintgen D. Identification of lymphatic basins in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Semin Surg Oncol. 1993.9:224-227.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse CW, Wells K, Stankard C, Saba H, Schroer K, Cox C, Berman C, Glass F, Alvarez L. The effectiveness of skin cancer screening and continuing medical education programs toward increasing the survival of patients with malignant melanoma. Surg Oncol. 1992 Dec.1(6):379-384. Pubmedid: 1341274.
    • Riggs D, Weibley R, Daniels S, Wells K, Cruse C. Hot embers and ashes as a source of burns in children. Am J Dis Child. 1992.146:657-658.
    • Stankard C, Cruse C, Cox C, Wells K, King J, Reintgen D. The concept of lymph node dissections in patients with malignant melanoma. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:33-38.
    • Saba H, Cruse C, Wells K, Klein C, Reintgen D. Malignant melanoma with dacarbazine, carmustine, cisplatin, and tamoxifen regimens: a University of South Florida and H. Lee Moffitt melanoma center study. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28(1):65-69.
    • Saba H, Cruse C, Wells K, Klein C, Wood H, Reintgen D. Adjuvant chemotherapy in malignant melanoma using DTIC, BCNU, cisplatin and tamoxifen. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:60-65.
    • Cruse C, Wells K, Reintgen D. Treatment of the primary in malignant melanoma of the skin. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28(1):22-25.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse C, Wells K, Stankard C, Saba H, Schroer K, Cox C, Berman C, Glass L, Alvarez L, Brozena S, Fenske N, Fabri P. The effectiveness of skin cancer screening and continuing education programs toward increasing the survival of patients with malignant melanoma. Surg Oncol. 1992.1:379-384.
    • Cruse C, Wells K, Schroer K, Reintgen D. Etiology and prognosis of local recurrence in malignant melanoma. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:26-28.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse C, Wells K, Saba H, Fabri P. The evaluation of putative tumor markers for malignant melanoma. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:55-59.
    • Norman Jr. J, Cruse C, Wells K, Saba H, Reintgen D. Metastatic melanoma with an unknown primary. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28(1):81-84.
    • Reintgen D, Cruse C, Wells K, Saba H, Slingluff. Isolated limb perfusion for recurrent melanoma of the extremity. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:50-54.
    • Wells K, Reintgen D, Cruse C. The current management and prognosis of acral lentiginous melanoma. Ann Plast Surg. 1992.28:100-103.
    • Norman J, Cox C, Cruse CW, Wells K, Reintgen D. A myocutaneous flap for closure of upper arm amputations for uncontrolled axillary tumors. J Surg Oncol. 1991 Aug.47(4):239-242. Pubmedid: 1861496.
    • Heller R, Wassalle J, Becker J, Cruse C, Wells K, Cox C, Reintgen D. The detection of submicroscopic lymph node metastases in patients with malignant melanoma. Arch Surg. 1991.126:1455-1460.
    • Norman J, Wells K, Kearney R, Cruse CW, Berman C, Reintgen D. Identification of lymphatic drainage basins in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Semin Surg Oncol. 9(3):224-227. Pubmedid: 8516608.
  • Patient Comments

    Overall Satisfaction

    4.9

    35 patients rated this provider

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