Show Notes
What happens when the drive to save a life collides with a patient's dream to create one? In this episode, the co-hosts welcome fertility expert Dr. Josh Hurwitz for an insightful conversation about the often-overlooked implications of breast cancer treatment on fertility, exploring options and the delicate balance between survival and future family planning.
Join the conversation on The Next Breast Thing Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097478808528172
SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Joshua Hurwitz is board-certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. He joined Illume Fertility in 2006 with a passion for patient care and teaching. In addition to his role at Illume, he is the Director of Fertility Preservation for Nuvance Health Network and the Division Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) services in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences of Danbury Hospital.
After residency, Dr. Hurwitz completed a three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. During his fellowship, he successfully launched several research programs related to reproductive aging and diminished ovarian reserve and has presented his research findings at many leading national and international fertility conferences.
Dr. Hurwitz's research interests also include premature ovarian failure, oocyte cryopreservation, reproductive surgeries, embryo donation, and bioethics. He has published numerous abstracts, articles and book chapters on reproductive aging, reproductive hormones, IVF, ultrasound, and bioethics.
As Division Director of REI at Danbury Hospital, Dr. Hurwitz is responsible for developing and implementing the division's academic program, teaching residents, and giving lectures, as well as caring for infertility patients. Dr. Hurwitz began teaching residents at Danbury Hospital in its operating rooms and clinic, making his transition to director a natural progression.
Dr. Hurwitz received his undergraduate degree in Biology & Society from Cornell University, and his medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, also in Philadelphia, and during residency training, Dr. Hurwitz was named Best Laparoscopic Surgeon and has received many teaching awards.
MEET THE CO-HOSTS
Michael Berry, MD is a breast surgical oncologist at the West Cancer Center in Germantown, TN. After practicing general surgery for 6 years, he completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at UT Southwestern in Dallas in 2002. Upon leaving Texas, he moved to the Memphis, TN area where he was the first fellowship trained breast surgeon in the region; and this is where he remains today. Dr. Berry has long taught breast ultrasound diagnosis, intervention and ablation. However, his particular interest is in education, as he currently serves on the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Committee, which oversees the fellowship programs in the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Berry is currently the president-elect of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and will begin his term as president in May of 2025.
Susan K. Boolbol, MD, FACS is the system chief of breast surgical oncology and breast program at Nuvance Health. She is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeon and performs a variety of breast cancer surgeries including lumpectomies and mastectomies. She has a special interest in oncoplastic surgery and nipple-sparing mastectomy; she is also a Hidden Scar certified surgeon. Dr. Boolbol's personal mission is to diagnose and successfully treat breast cancer and breast conditions while caring for the whole patient – emotionally and physically – every step of the way. Dr. Boolbol is the immediate Past President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She joined Nuvance Health after serving as
More from The Next Breast Thing
How wide is wide enough when it comes to surgical margins in DCIS? In this episode, the co-hosts tackle one of breast surgery's most debated clinical decisions, exploring the balance between achieving clear margins, minimizing unnecessary surgery, and preserving cosmetic outcomes.
Ep. 49 - Part 1 - Estate Law 101 With Legal Expert Rachel Sherman How do you ensure your assets and what you leave behind to your loved ones are protected? In Part 2 of this estate planning series for breast surgeons, the co-hosts welcome back estate law expert Rachel Sherman for a deeper dive into protecting assets during your lifetime, planning for children and remarriage, strategic gifting, and using trusts to safeguard wealth for the next generation. It's an essential discussion for breast surgeons who want to protect what they've built and ensure it ultimately reaches the people they intend.
What happens to everything you've worked so hard to build if you're suddenly no longer here to protect it? In Part one of this two-part Estate Planning series, the co-hosts welcome Estate Law Expert Rachel Sherman to explore the essential legal decisions every breast surgeon should consider—from wills and revocable trusts to ensuring your final wishes are properly documented. It's a practical conversation about protecting your assets, your family, and the legacy you leave behind.
Looking for a life-altering book? In this episode, the co-hosts trade the operating room for the bookshelf to share the books that have inspired, entertained, and stayed with them in 2026. From personal favorites to unexpected recommendations, it's a fun, revealing conversation that offers a glimpse into the life-changing impact of books on their lives as breast surgeons.
Is surgery taking a physical toll on your body as a breast surgeon? You're not alone. In this episode, the co-hosts welcome breast surgeon and ergonomics expert Dr. Kate Kopkash to discuss the physical toll breast surgery can take on the surgeon and how we can mitigate injury. It's a personal story-driven, honest eye-opening conversation about taking better care of the surgeon behind the surgery. SPECIAL GUEST