A Winding and Fantastic Path: Dr. Lynn Dengel on Surgery, Science, and Showing Up
- Virginia Journal of Medicine
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
A Q&A with Dr. Lynn Dengel, MD
Article written by William Lain
In this installment of VJM’s Expert Q&A series spotlighting exceptional surgical faculty and surgeon-scientists, we spoke with Dr. Lynn Dengel, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgery at UVA. A board-certified surgical oncologist with advanced training from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center after years of academic success at Dartmouth College and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Dengel specializes in the management of breast cancer and melanoma, blending high-level clinical care with research focused on tumor immunology, decision-making, and therapeutic innovation.
Her journey to surgery was far from linear. She started her academic journey in liberal arts and public health before returning to medicine through a winding road of self-discovery, mentorship, and curiosity. Today, she is a national voice in breast and melanoma surgery, recognized not only for her clinical excellence, but for her thoughtful mentorship and commitment to collaborative, human-centered care.
On Choosing Surgery:
“It has been a winding and fantastic path.”
Initially, Dr. Dengel was operating far outside the operating room. As an undergraduate Government major at Dartmouth, she studied abroad twice and took only one science class. She thought she would end up working in public health or health policy. Once she graduated, she spent time working in management consulting; however, she soon realized that she desired a career involving direct patient care. So, she decided to enter a post-baccalaureate pre-med program, volunteered in a clinic, and eventually enrolled at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
“Entering medical school, I initially thought surgery was the least likely specialty for me, so I saved it for my last rotation. To my surprise, I discovered I loved this rotation—it combined technical expertise, focused teamwork in the operating room, and opportunities for long-term patient relationships and immediate impact.”
She ultimately completed her general surgery residency at UVA, followed by a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. Initially entering private practice, Dr. Dengel returned to UVA part-time to collaborate with her mentor, Dr. Craig Slingluff, and ultimately rejoined the faculty full-time in 2022. This allowed her to scratch the intellectual itch she had developed and experience the joy of research and teaching.
On Research:
“I currently have several research initiatives underway, spanning from the use of focused ultrasound ablation to stimulate an immune response in melanoma, to developing decision-making tools for breast cancer patients navigating choices about surgery and reconstruction.”
Dr. Dengel’s clinical research is grounded in the problems she encounters in practice. Her work examines immune mechanisms at the tumor site, the intersection of technology and treatment, and strategies to support shared decision-making, particularly in patients facing complex surgical choices.
“One of the aspects I value most about having research as a core part of my career is knowing that the work we’re doing directly aims to improve outcomes and treatment approaches for patients facing complex cancers.”
She also emphasized the personal growth, career satisfaction, and meaning that research brings. Whether engaging complex problems or collaborating with multidisciplinary teams,
“Being part of an active research program not only helps me continue to learn and grow as a surgeon and educator but also enhances my effectiveness in the operating room, in the classroom, and at the bedside.”
On Mentorship and Collaboration:
“A successful mentor–mentee relationship begins with effective communication, ensuring that both parties understand each other’s goals and expectations.”
Dr. Dengel believes it’s as simple as that. She states that she appreciates mentees who bring clear questions or focus areas, noting that it makes her guidance more actionable. So, her advice to students looking to build relationships with other attendings and surgeon-scientists?
“Do not be shy about letting a mentor know what you hope to get out of the time you are working together.”
Dr. Dengel’s approach to mentorship and collaboration begins with presence—being engaged, available, and active in the spaces where ideas are exchanged. She encourages students to attend lab meetings, lectures, and informal conversations as a natural way to demonstrate interest and investment. This philosophy has shaped her own career, where interdisciplinary teamwork has become a foundation of both her research and clinical care. As surgical fields continue to evolve and specialize, she sees collaboration as essential to progress—allowing diverse expertise to converge on shared challenges and generate meaningful solutions.
“Being present—whether at lab meetings, scientific talks, or informal gatherings over coffee—creates opportunities to connect and demonstrate your commitment. Don’t be afraid to participate fully: ask questions, contribute ideas, and participate actively in discussions.”
On Staying Grounded:
“I’ve also learned, probably the hard way, that we need to take care of ourselves. I know that if I become depleted mentally or physically, I’m not as effective—whether that’s as a listener, teacher, or surgeon. it's an ongoing process, reminding myself that I am better for others if I take care of myself.”
And in tough moments, she leans on her community. Her friends, family, and colleagues are a wonderful source of support. She stressed being able to reach out without hesitation and talk over the phone or in-person. This allows her to continue being her best self. Additionally, the community she has built with her patients and the people she has served, has allowed her to develop another strategy to stay motivated, energized, and positive.
“One valuable piece of advice I received from a mentor was to keep a collection of notes and thank-you messages from patients.”
Dr. Dengel turns to those notes during challenging times as a reminder of impact and purpose. They provide perspective and bring her back to the core reason why she gets up every day and goes to work, her patients and their families.
Final Takeaway:
“If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self in medical school, it would be to remain open to unexpected opportunities…”
Dr. Dengel’s story is a testament to the value of staying open, reflective, and engaged. Her career spans government and public health to high-stakes surgical care and translational research, shaped at every turn by mentorship, curiosity, and collaboration. For students and future surgeon-scientists, her journey is a reminder that there’s no single path to fulfillment in academic medicine—and sometimes the best outcomes begin with simply showing up and staying open to what’s possible.
Stay tuned for more interviews from our Expert Q&A series, where we spotlight faculty across surgical specialties working at the cutting edge of surgical care, research, and education.
Interested in reading more from Dr. Dengel? Check out some of her recent works!
1. Park KU, Somerfield MR, Anne N, et al. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(14):1720-1741. doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00099
2. Kuchimanchi N, Sul N, Gajula S, et al. Focused Ultrasound for Sarcomas: A Narrative Review. Curr Oncol. 2025;32(8):452. Published 2025 Aug 12. doi:10.3390/curroncol32080452
3. Dengel LT, Witt RG, Slingluff CL Jr. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Calculators for Informed Decision-Making. JAMA Surg. 2024;159(3):268. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.6912
4. Chu C, Dengel LT, Petroni GR, Hollen PJ, Jones RA. Decision Aid Interventions for Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Women of Average Risk: An Integrative Review. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2025;52(2):E58-E64. doi:10.1188/25.ONF.E58-E64
5. Slingluff CL Jr, Petroni GR, Chianese-Bullock KA, Wages NA, Olson WC, Smith KT, Haden K, Dengel LT, Dickinson A, Reed C, Gaughan EM, Grosh WW, Kaur V, Varhegyi N, Smolkin M, Galeassi NV, Deacon D, Hall EH. Trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a melanoma helper peptide vaccine plus incomplete Freund's adjuvant, cyclophosphamide, and polyICLC (Mel63). J Immunother Cancer. 2021 Jan;9(1). doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000934. PubMed PMID: 33479025; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7825263.
6. Kogler AK, Polemi AM, Nair S, Majewski S, Dengel LT, Slingluff CL Jr, Kross B, Lee SJ, McKisson JE, McKisson J, Weisenberger AG, Welch BL, Wendler T, Matthies P, Traub J, Witt M, Williams MB. Evaluation of camera-based freehand SPECT in preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping for melanoma patients. EJNMMI Res. 2020 Nov 11;10(1):139. doi: 10.1186/s13550-020-00729-8. PubMed PMID: 33175204; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7658290.
