About Dr. Blackwell
Dr. Lea Blackwell MD, FACS is originally from Panama City, FL. She graduated from the University of Florida and attended medical school at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was a surgery resident at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana with the LSU Department of Surgery. She completed a Society of Surgical Oncology accredited breast surgery fellowship at Washington Hospital Center, in Washington, DC. She has been a surgeon in Fort Myers, FL since graduating from her breast surgery fellowship in 2008.
Dr. Blackwell has served on the Breast Leadership Panel for Lee Health to develop a multidisciplinary breast clinic. The multidisciplinary breast clinic obtained NAPBC accreditation from the American College of Surgeons in 2015. Dr. Blackwell takes care of over 150 breast cancers each year. She is fortunate to work with Ellen Poage, a nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience providing excellence in care for lymphedema.
About Ellen Poage
Ellen Poage is a nurse practitioner certified by the Lymphedema Association of North America. She began treating lymphedema in 1995. She completed her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2007. Prior to her nursing career, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, West Africa and later lived in Asia, India and Central America, before moving to Fort Myers in 1989.
Ellen has an evidence-based practice and uses multiple modalities of therapy including vibration, cupping and micro current point stimulation to reduce swelling, fibrosis, pain and increase range of motion for patients after surgery. She recently completed training in Acupuncture and studied Auriculotherapy to add to her therapeutic approaches. Working in close association with a breast surgeon has created a unique opportunity to collaborate and improve early diagnosis and prevention of lymphedema. It is well known that the early recognition of lymphedema and education about the possibility of lymphedema can reduce the long-term complications of surgery and radiation and improve outcomes for patients with breast cancer.
Treatments & Procedures
Blackwell Breast Surgery performs a wide variety procedures and treatments. Dr. Blackwell uses the latest and most advanced methods to help diagnose and treat patients with breast cancer and other breast related disorders.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Counseling
Treatment of Breast Infections and Pain
Treatment of Breast Skin Problems
Surgical Treatment of the Breast
Breast Biopsies
Treatment of Breast cancer for men and women
Breast conservation surgery with Oncoplastic Technique
Hidden scar surgery
Mastectomy
- Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
- Skin Sparing Mastectomy
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Evaluation for partial breast radiation and catheter placement
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Testimonials
Dr Blackwell was so kind and caring and I had (and still have) complete confidence in her. My surgery was 2 years ago and I am feeling strong and healthy. I am very blessed to have had Doctor Blackwell take such good care of me.
I have always considered Dr. Blackwell my surgical angel. She was the bright-eyed, energetic and upbeat angel that I needed during a very difficult time.
I was referred to Dr. Lea Blackwell for surgery on a tumor in my right breast. In our first meeting she explained the excision in some detail and answered all my questions. Her warmth and caring demeanor gave me confidence
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