Miraj Shah-Khan, MD, Leads South Region Breast Program

March 25, 2021 | 2 min. to read

Miraj G. Shah-Khan, MD, FACS, joined Palos Medical Group at the height of the pandemic in June 2020 as medical director of the Palos Health Breast Program. Dr. Shah-Khan is a board-certified general surgeon who completed fellowship training in breast surgical oncology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and has conducted research in cancer immunology and genetics at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (NCI). She has extensive experience in breast surgery, and specializes in the evaluation and management of benign and malignant breast disease.

Dr. Shah-Khan came to PMG from Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Medical Center in Milwaukee, where she was Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She led the integration of the academic breast cancer program across community sites in southeastern Wisconsin, and she also served as director of the breast cancer high-risk program for one of the region’s leading health systems. Bringing those skills to the Northwestern Medicine South Region, she is excited for the opportunity to work with her NM colleagues to extend integrated academic breast care to the patients and communities of the south suburbs and to help strengthen breast care across the health system.

“My vision is to develop a robust multidisciplinary accredited breast program with access to clinical trials, and to ensure that all patients with breast cancer are offered advanced treatment strategies with respect to surgery, radiation and systemic therapy,” says Dr. Shah-Khan. “We have developed a high-risk screening program with the latest imaging and biopsy modalities available, and we have a fantastic cancer rehabilitation program that specializes in lymphedema and pelvic therapy. We continue to enhance the quality of the care and the entire patient experience, from patient navigation and treatment to follow-up and survivorship, with the goal to provide comprehensive breast care for the patients and communities we serve.”

Since joining PMG just nine months ago, Dr. Shah-Khan has made significant strides toward that goal. She implemented a program for breast cancer high-risk screening and prevention and started a community outreach initiative for patients who delayed screening mammography because of COVID-19. She launched a breast cancer steering committee and established a multidisciplinary breast conference, and she created a patient treatment and outcomes database for accreditation.

As part of her mission to build a comprehensive multidisciplinary breast program, Dr. Shah-Khan also is working with the Gynecology department to develop a menopause clinic. “A menopause clinic is an important component in addressing women's health on the whole,” she says. “But it also plays a unique role in helping breast cancer survivors adjust to some of the changes that come with breast cancer treatment.”  

Dr. Shah-Khan’s vision extends not only to other specialties but to other countries, as she has a passion for global health. She has worked with underserved populations in Guatemala, Haiti and Nigeria. Her work has included large-scale breast cancer screening and community education efforts to reduce the cultural stigma of breast disease and breast cancer surgery. She has provided training to local surgeons and surgical residents, as well as advocated for greater access to care for underserved populations.

With a professional philosophy rooted in multidisciplinary breast disease management, Dr. Shah-Khan’s approach to patient care is just as holistic as her approach to medicine. “Each patient’s unique circumstances must be considered when making healthcare decisions,” she says. “I offer the latest treatment options available while using evidence-based medicine to provide recommendations. My goal is to help patients understand their condition and treatment plan, so that fear can turn into empowerment.”

Dr. Shah-Khan received her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed a residency at the University of Illinois. She conducted research in breast cancer immunology and cancer genetics at NIH/NCI, and went on to complete a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Shah-Khan has been honored by Castle Connolly as a Top Doctor, as well as an Exceptional Woman in Medicine. Dr. Shah-Khan’s office is located in the Palos Health Women’s Center, 15300 West Avenue, Suite 120, Orland Park, Illinois. To make an appointment, please call 708.590.5520.

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