Doctor's Bio
Dr. Monica Rizzo, MD, is a surgical oncologist who specializes in treating breast cancer, melanoma, advanced skin cancers, and soft tissue sarcoma. She works closely with other cancer specialists to develop a personalized treatment plan based on each patient’s diagnosis and individual needs.
Dr. Rizzo has particular expertise in breast cancer surgery and has helped expand treatment options for patients with early-stage breast cancer. She helped introduce intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) at Emory, which allows select patients to receive targeted radiation directly to the area where a breast tumor was removed during surgery.
Dr. Rizzo completed her surgical oncology fellowship at Emory University and joined the Emory faculty in 2005. She is a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Breast Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine.
Dr. Rizzo believes patients should understand their diagnosis and have an active voice in decisions about their care. She takes time to explain treatment options and works with each patient to develop a plan that supports their medical needs and personal goals.
Board Certifications
American Board of Surgery
Affiliations
Emory
Education & Training
- Medical School: University of Turin
- Internship: Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Residency: University of Missouri Columbia
Fellowships
Emory University School of Medicine
Locations and Directions
Correll Pavilion
Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Publications
- Brain health awareness among solid organ transplant candidates and recipients: a single centre survey.
Lo Re V, Lo Gerfo E, Rizzo M, Miceli V, Agnese V, Bellavia D, Colonna I, Toscano A, Pinzani M
BMC neurology. 2026;
PMID: 42426677 - ASO Visual Abstract: Rurality and Income on Breast Cancer Outcomes: An Analysis of the SEER Database.
Ayub S, Marra A, Liu Y, Postlewait LM, Farley C, Cheng O, Fiser C, Rizzo M, Arciero C
Annals of surgical oncology. 2026;33(5):4645.
PMID: 41792530 - Rurality and Income on Breast Cancer Outcomes: An Analysis of the SEER Database.
Ayub S, Marra A, Liu Y, Postlewait LM, Farley C, Cheng O, Fiser C, Rizzo M, Arciero C
Annals of surgical oncology. 2026;33(5):4595-4603.
PMID: 41712160 - Burn Injuries Among Migrants Crossing the Mediterranean Sea: A 10-Year Experience From a Single Center.
Milia WR, Gervasi E, Alessandro G, Rizzo M, Pirrello R
Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association. 2026;47(1):363-369.
PMID: 40973666 - Practice in evaluating solid organ transplant candidates and recipients with neurological impairment: The European Academy of Neurology neurocritical care panel survey.
Re VL, Fiume G, Rizzo M, Avorio F, Lolich M, Gerfo EL, Pinzani M, Toscano A
European journal of neurology. 2025;32(3):e70039.
PMID: 40114541 - Clinical Validation of a Machine Learning-Based Biomarker Signature to Predict Response to Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Alone or Combined with Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Study Protocol and Review.
Pagano D, Barresi V, Tropea A, Galvano A, Bazan V, Caldarella A, Sani C, Pompeo G, Russo V, Liotta R, Scuderi C, Mercorillo S, Barbera F, Di Lorenzo N, Jukna A, Carradori V, Rizzo M, Gruttadauria S, Peluso M
Life (Basel, Switzerland). 2025;
PMID: 40003728 - Intraoperative radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer.
Schwieger L, Switchenko JM, Cao Y, Amaniera I, Phillips-Reed R, Godette K, Rizzo M
Journal of surgical oncology. 2024;130(5):997-1005.
PMID: 39206518 - Anticoagulation and Bleeding during Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Insights from the PROTECMO Study.
Martucci G, Giani M, Schmidt M, Tanaka K, Tabatabai A, Tuzzolino F, Agerstrand C, Riera J, Ramanan R, Grasselli G, Ait Hssain A, Gannon WD, Buabbas S, Gorjup V, Trethowan B, Rizzo M, Fanelli V, Jeon K, De Pascale G, Combes A, Ranieri MV, Duburcq T, Foti G, Chico JI, Balik M, Broman LM, Schellongowski P, Buscher H, Lorusso R, Brodie D, Arcadipane A,
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2024;209(4):417-426.
PMID: 37943110 - Outcomes of the same-day discharge following mastectomy before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic.
Olimpiadi Y, Goldenberg AR, Postlewait L, Gillespie T, Arciero C, Styblo T, Cao Y, Switchenko JM, Rizzo M
Journal of surgical oncology. 2023;127(5):761-767.
PMID: 36621857 - The Effect of Borderline Pulmonary Hypertension on Survival in Chronic Lung Disease.
Piccari L, Wort SJ, Meloni F, Rizzo M, Price LC, Martino L, Salvaterra E, Scelsi L, López Meseguer M, Blanco I, Callari A, Pérez González V, Tuzzolino F, McCabe C, Rodríguez Chiaradía DA, Vitulo P,
Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases. 2022;101(8):717-727.
PMID: 35462365
PLANNING
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re a patient or you’re visiting one, a little planning beforehand can make your visit to Grady easier and more comfortable. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit, including an appointment checklist, admissions information, dining options, and much more.