Professor of Surgery and Executive Vice Chair of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine
Deputy Chief Medical Officer · Smilow Cancer Hospital & Yale Cancer Center
Clinical Director, Breast Program · Director of Medical Education, Surgery
Biography
Dr. Mehra Golshan is a nationally and internationally recognized breast cancer surgeon whose career spans more than two decades at the forefront of surgical oncology. He currently serves as Professor of Surgery and Executive Vice Chair of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
Raised in a family of healthcare professionals — his father a head and neck surgeon, his mother an audiologist and nurse — Dr. Golshan was drawn to oncology and specifically to breast surgery for its deeply collaborative, multidisciplinary nature. Prior to joining Yale, he held senior leadership roles at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, two of the nation's most prestigious cancer institutions.
“I work closely with so many colleagues that inspire me to be a better physician, scientist, and person.”
His surgical philosophy centers on personalization and precision: performing the least invasive procedure tailored to each individual patient's disease, biology, and emotional needs. This philosophy drives both his clinical work and his research agenda — developing the tools and evidence to reduce unnecessary surgery without compromising outcomes.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Golshan has trained and mentored more than 100 breast surgical fellows and international surgeons who now hold faculty positions at leading institutions worldwide.
Research & Innovation
Dr. Golshan's research targets one of surgical oncology's most persistent challenges: eliminating the need for re-operation in breast cancer patients. His work integrates cutting-edge imaging technology, molecular biology, and clinical trial methodology to transform surgical precision.
Investigating real-time MRI during surgery to bridge the gap between diagnostic imaging (prone position) and operative positioning (supine), improving tumor localization and margin assessment during lumpectomy.
Utilizing mass spectrometry technology to identify the boundary between tumor and healthy breast tissue in real time — potentially reducing re-excision rates that currently affect 10–40% of lumpectomy patients.
Principal investigator on multiple Phase I, II, and III trials examining neoadjuvant therapies to reduce tumor burden prior to surgery, and minimally invasive surgical approaches for early-stage breast cancer.
Studying systemic therapies administered before surgery to shrink tumors, enabling more conservative surgical approaches and preserving breast tissue while maintaining oncologic safety.
Leading research to identify patients who can safely receive less aggressive treatment — avoiding mastectomy in appropriate recurrence cases and reducing the physical and psychological burden of overtreatment.
Training and mentoring breast surgical fellows and international surgeons worldwide, with a commitment to expanding access to state-of-the-art oncologic care across diverse health systems.
Funding & Support: Dr. Golshan's research has received support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), among the most competitive and prestigious funding sources in oncology.
Media & Lectures
Dr. Golshan lectures nationally and internationally on breast cancer surgery, innovation, and personalized treatment. He has been featured across major media outlets as a leading voice in surgical oncology.
BGICC 2023 · Conference Lecture
Prof. Golshan discusses two transformative imaging innovations — intraoperative MRI positioning and real-time mass spectrometry for margin detection — reshaping the safety and precision of breast-conserving surgery.
BGICC 2021 · Conference Lecture
Dr. Golshan reviews evolving alternatives to mastectomy in recurrent breast cancer, examining axillary management strategies informed by the growing body of de-escalation research.
YouTube · Lecture
Dr. Golshan presents on advances in breast cancer surgery and personalized treatment approaches.
YouTube · Lecture
Dr. Golshan discusses innovations in breast surgical oncology and the future of cancer care.
Dr. Golshan has provided expert commentary on topics ranging from prophylactic mastectomies and breast screening guidelines to early-stage breast cancer treatment and the impact of genomic tools on surgical decision-making.
Awards & Recognition
Presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society at a ceremony on Ellis Island, May 10, 2025 — recognizing Dr. Golshan's contributions to breast cancer treatment and research, patient care, and mentorship. Past recipients include eight U.S. Presidents, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, and the presidents of Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson. “I am truly humbled and grateful for this singular honor reflecting a career in oncology research and patient care.”
Elected to membership in the American Surgical Association, the nation's oldest and most prestigious surgical society, recognizing his contributions to surgical science, education, and practice.
Principal Investigator on NIH-funded research programs advancing intraoperative imaging technologies and reducing surgical morbidity in breast cancer treatment.
Recipient of research funding from the BCRF, supporting clinical trials and translational science that directly impact patient outcomes in breast cancer surgery.
Invited lecturer at conferences across South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, and worldwide. Recognized by the global oncology community as a leading innovator in breast surgical technique and education.
Scholarship
“Initial breast-conserving surgeries often miss vestiges of a patient's tumor — driving us to develop the tools that let surgeons see more clearly, in real time, so that one operation is the right operation.”— Dr. Mehra Golshan · Breast Cancer Research FoundationDr. Golshan has authored and co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications spanning surgical technique, clinical trials, outcomes research, and translational science. His work appears in the leading journals of oncology, surgery, and radiology.
Training & Education
Dr. Golshan's training spans elite institutions in medicine, surgery, and business — building the clinical, scientific, and leadership foundation that defines his career.
Completed an Executive MBA at one of the world's leading business schools, deepening his capacity for healthcare leadership, innovation management, and institutional strategy — directly informing his role as Executive Vice Chair of Surgery.
Subspecialty fellowship training in breast surgical oncology at one of the nation's foremost academic medical centers, developing the specialized surgical expertise that would define his career.
Completed general surgical residency at Rush, gaining broad operative experience and clinical foundations across surgical specialties.
Medical degree from one of the nation's top research universities and medical schools, with a strong grounding in biomedical sciences and clinical medicine.
Global Reach
Dr. Golshan's influence extends far beyond New Haven. He has lectured at major international oncology conferences across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, sharing innovations in surgical technique and research methodology with the global medical community.
His visit to the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center (KFSYSCC) in Taiwan and participation at the Breast and Gynecological International Cancer Conference (BGICC) exemplify his commitment to global knowledge exchange and elevating standards of breast cancer care worldwide.
The Ellis Island Honors Society specifically recognized Dr. Golshan as “deeply committed to charitable initiatives that expand access to quality health care” across the world.
Shared advanced surgical solutions and personalized treatment approaches with oncologists across Asia.
Presented new directions in personalized breast cancer care at the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center.
Delivered invited lectures on imaging advances and recurrence management at the premier global breast cancer conference.
Fellows and trainees mentored by Dr. Golshan now hold faculty positions at leading institutions on every continent.
Connect
Dr. Golshan sees patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven and Trumbull, Connecticut. He accepts new patients and can be reached through the Yale Medicine scheduling line.
For media inquiries, speaking invitations, or research collaborations, please reach out through Yale School of Medicine or Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Smilow Cancer Hospital — New Haven
35 Park Street, Suite A, New Haven, CT
(203) 200-2328
Smilow Cancer Hospital — Trumbull
5520 Park Avenue, Trumbull, CT