Wang opens new practice in Wooster
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). This is a frightening statistic, but with early detection the disease can often be treated successfully.
Dr. Linda Wang, of Wooster General Surgery, treats many patients with breast cancer and other breast diseases. She stresses that early detection is critical. “If we find it early enough, there is a greater than 90 percent cure rate.”
Current ACS guidelines recommend regular mammograms beginning at age 40, and on a yearly basis after age 50. Depending on the patient’s history, earlier or more frequent testing may be advisable. In addition, it is important to see a physician about any unusual skin changes of the breast, discharge, lumps and bumps, or breast pain, Dr. Wang said.
The ACS also recommends maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help lower the risk of breast cancer. Limit processed and red meats and alcohol.
While Dr. Wang performs many different kinds of surgeries, as the only female general surgeon in Wayne County she finds a natural rapport with breast cancer patients. Cancer is personal to her as well, having had several family members touched by the disease.
“It’s a long journey, and I like to help travel through that journey with my patients,” she said. “I like to be there as the ‘relative in the business’ that can help them through anything they will have to face.”
“Patients are sometimes fearful to bring things up to their physicians,” Dr. Wang said. “If people are concerned about a lump, I hope they can feel comfortable calling to make an appointment.” For more information, call Wooster General Surgery at 330-287-2595.
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After a year in New Zealand, Dr. Linda Wang is excited to be back home in Wayne County, with a new practice in Wooster’s north end and a new role as general surgeon at Wooster Community Hospital (WCH).
“We are delighted to have Dr. Wang back and practicing in Wooster,” said hospital CEO Bill Sheron. “She has been a valuable member of our medical staff for many years.”
Before leaving for New Zealand, Dr. Wang practiced for 10 years in Orrville. As the only female general surgeon in Wayne County, she has always taken a special interest in breast cancer and other breast diseases and can uniquely empathize with those patients. She also performs other general surgeries, including abdominal, hernia, and thyroid surgeries and endoscopies.
Dr. Wang graduated from Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Sciences in New York City, earned her Medical Doctorate degree from the Uniformed Services of University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., and went on to do an internship and residency in general surgery at Wilford Hall Medical School in San Antonio, Texas.
She said she chose general surgery because she enjoyed being in the operating room and liked being able to help patients with acute problems to get better quickly. Her sense of compassion and empathy are evident as she talks about journeying with her patients through these often-frightening experiences. “General surgery is a great field to be in because we can make such an impact on people’s lives.”
Dr. Wang was also drawn to the intellectual challenge of the medical profession. “We learn new things every day,” she said. “It’s definitely never boring!”
Hernia repairs are a good example of the ever-evolving nature of medicine. Surgeons have learned the benefits of using mesh patches to repair hernias, with some using laparoscopic techniques and others open techniques. Dr. Wang now uses the preperitoneal approach, which she describes as “placing the patch on the inside of the tire” without having to work too closely to the bowel. While hernia surgeries used to mean six weeks off work, this method allows many to return to work within a week.
During her time in the Air Force, Dr. Wang traveled extensively, practicing medicine on bases in Korea and Cuba as well as in the United States. “After being all those places, though, we felt Ohio was the best place to raise our family,” she said. Fulfilling a longtime dream of her veterinarian husband, they settled on a Wayne County farm with a flock of sheep, a goat and other animals.
Life on the farm hasn’t quite cured the family of their travel bug, though. “We love to travel,” Dr. Wang said. “The year before we left for New Zealand, we spent some time in Tibet, China. There are still quite a few places on our list, but it’s always nice to come back home.”
New Zealand held special memories for Dr. Wang and her husband and they had always wanted to return after honeymooning there 20 years ago. So when she was invited by the government of New Zealand to practice there for a year, the family packed their bags and headed south to the South Pacific.
Exploring the beautiful countryside together was a highlight of the trip. “New Zealand is mostly mountains and beaches,” Dr. Wang said. “There are beautiful vistas and hiking trails everywhere—and very few people. We’d often be the only people on the trails or beaches.” The trip also provided a valuable cultural experience for their two teenaged children, who attended school there during their stay.
New Zealand has socialized medicine, so hospital care is free and people don’t have to worry about being bankrupted by an accident or illness. On the other hand, there was a waiting list for elective procedures and some more advanced procedures were not available in the country due to the small population size, Dr. Wang said. Even so, she was able to do all the procedures she does here.
“I met some wonderful people there—they were very warm and friendly,” said Dr. Wang. There’s no place like home, however, and she is glad to be back in Wayne County. “Wooster Community Hospital has given me such a warm welcome,” she said. “I’m grateful they’ve given me an opportunity to practice in Wayne County and treat patients here.”
Wooster General Surgery is located in the Milltown Professional Building, 128 E. Milltown Road, Suite 201, in Wooster. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 330-287-2595.
Dr. Linda Wang, of Wooster General Surgery, treats many patients with breast cancer and other breast diseases. She stresses that early detection is critical. “If we find it early enough, there is a greater than 90 percent cure rate.”
Current ACS guidelines recommend regular mammograms beginning at age 40, and on a yearly basis after age 50. Depending on the patient’s history, earlier or more frequent testing may be advisable. In addition, it is important to see a physician about any unusual skin changes of the breast, discharge, lumps and bumps, or breast pain, Dr. Wang said.
The ACS also recommends maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help lower the risk of breast cancer. Limit processed and red meats and alcohol.
While Dr. Wang performs many different kinds of surgeries, as the only female general surgeon in Wayne County she finds a natural rapport with breast cancer patients. Cancer is personal to her as well, having had several family members touched by the disease.
“It’s a long journey, and I like to help travel through that journey with my patients,” she said. “I like to be there as the ‘relative in the business’ that can help them through anything they will have to face.”
“Patients are sometimes fearful to bring things up to their physicians,” Dr. Wang said. “If people are concerned about a lump, I hope they can feel comfortable calling to make an appointment.” For more information, call Wooster General Surgery at 330-287-2595.
---
After a year in New Zealand, Dr. Linda Wang is excited to be back home in Wayne County, with a new practice in Wooster’s north end and a new role as general surgeon at Wooster Community Hospital (WCH).
“We are delighted to have Dr. Wang back and practicing in Wooster,” said hospital CEO Bill Sheron. “She has been a valuable member of our medical staff for many years.”
Before leaving for New Zealand, Dr. Wang practiced for 10 years in Orrville. As the only female general surgeon in Wayne County, she has always taken a special interest in breast cancer and other breast diseases and can uniquely empathize with those patients. She also performs other general surgeries, including abdominal, hernia, and thyroid surgeries and endoscopies.
Dr. Wang graduated from Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Sciences in New York City, earned her Medical Doctorate degree from the Uniformed Services of University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., and went on to do an internship and residency in general surgery at Wilford Hall Medical School in San Antonio, Texas.
She said she chose general surgery because she enjoyed being in the operating room and liked being able to help patients with acute problems to get better quickly. Her sense of compassion and empathy are evident as she talks about journeying with her patients through these often-frightening experiences. “General surgery is a great field to be in because we can make such an impact on people’s lives.”
Dr. Wang was also drawn to the intellectual challenge of the medical profession. “We learn new things every day,” she said. “It’s definitely never boring!”
Hernia repairs are a good example of the ever-evolving nature of medicine. Surgeons have learned the benefits of using mesh patches to repair hernias, with some using laparoscopic techniques and others open techniques. Dr. Wang now uses the preperitoneal approach, which she describes as “placing the patch on the inside of the tire” without having to work too closely to the bowel. While hernia surgeries used to mean six weeks off work, this method allows many to return to work within a week.
During her time in the Air Force, Dr. Wang traveled extensively, practicing medicine on bases in Korea and Cuba as well as in the United States. “After being all those places, though, we felt Ohio was the best place to raise our family,” she said. Fulfilling a longtime dream of her veterinarian husband, they settled on a Wayne County farm with a flock of sheep, a goat and other animals.
Life on the farm hasn’t quite cured the family of their travel bug, though. “We love to travel,” Dr. Wang said. “The year before we left for New Zealand, we spent some time in Tibet, China. There are still quite a few places on our list, but it’s always nice to come back home.”
New Zealand held special memories for Dr. Wang and her husband and they had always wanted to return after honeymooning there 20 years ago. So when she was invited by the government of New Zealand to practice there for a year, the family packed their bags and headed south to the South Pacific.
Exploring the beautiful countryside together was a highlight of the trip. “New Zealand is mostly mountains and beaches,” Dr. Wang said. “There are beautiful vistas and hiking trails everywhere—and very few people. We’d often be the only people on the trails or beaches.” The trip also provided a valuable cultural experience for their two teenaged children, who attended school there during their stay.
New Zealand has socialized medicine, so hospital care is free and people don’t have to worry about being bankrupted by an accident or illness. On the other hand, there was a waiting list for elective procedures and some more advanced procedures were not available in the country due to the small population size, Dr. Wang said. Even so, she was able to do all the procedures she does here.
“I met some wonderful people there—they were very warm and friendly,” said Dr. Wang. There’s no place like home, however, and she is glad to be back in Wayne County. “Wooster Community Hospital has given me such a warm welcome,” she said. “I’m grateful they’ve given me an opportunity to practice in Wayne County and treat patients here.”
Wooster General Surgery is located in the Milltown Professional Building, 128 E. Milltown Road, Suite 201, in Wooster. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 330-287-2595.
Published: January 20, 2012
