11/29/2020
NORWALK, Connecticut, November 30, 2020 — Endocrine surgeon Dr. Susana Vargas-Pinto has joined Nuvance Health’s Norwalk Hospital. Dr. Vargas-Pinto will provide surgical treatment to patients with thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases including cancer.
Dr. Vargas-Pinto was interested in endocrine surgery because thyroid cancer is the second most common cancer in Puerto Rican women. She saw the effects of thyroid conditions first-hand when a fellow medical student was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and when her mom had part of her thyroid removed to treat a benign tumor. Dr. Vargas-Pinto also decided to focus on cancer care so she could help patients manage their disease from diagnosis, treatment, to follow-up care.
Patients can expect to receive a thorough explanation of their condition and treatment options when they see Dr. Vargas-Pinto.
“I believe in shared decision-making with my patients. I want them to understand their condition, know what their care plan involves, and feel comfortable with the treatment we decide to pursue for them,” said Dr. Vargas-Pinto.
Dr. Vargas-Pinto, who is fluent in Spanish, said she was drawn to Norwalk’s diverse community. She intends to improve access to care for minority groups who need surgical care for endocrine diseases.
Dr. Vargas-Pinto said she also felt a connection with Norwalk Hospital “because we collaborate to care for our patients and the Whittingham Cancer Center is warm and welcoming.”
Dr. Vargas-Pinto completed a clinical fellowship in surgical endocrinology from Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. She completed a general surgery residency at the University at Buffalo, The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, NY; and a general surgery internship at Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Dr. Vargas-Pinto earned a medical degree from Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ponce, Puerto Rico, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.
Dr. Vargas-Pinto is passionate about humanitarian initiatives. She was an Operation Giving Back Resident Scholar in Global Surgery, and has been recognized by the Gold Humanism Honor Society for providing medical relief to Puerto Ricans after natural disasters including Hurricane Maria.
When she’s not seeing patients, Dr. Vargas-Pinto enjoys listening to jazz and soft rock music, reading, and spending time with her husband and young daughter.
“We love being outdoors, hiking, going to the beach, or going to the lake,” said Dr. Vargas-Pinto.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vargas-Pinto at Norwalk Hospital’s C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Cancer Center, please call (203) 852 3137. Learn more about how Nuvance Health treats endocrine cancer.