Meet Starr Mautner | Breast Surgical Oncologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Starr Mautner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Starr, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
The most important thing that I’ve done as a mom for my kids is that they have grown up knowing that I am a working mom. I went back to work when both my son and daughter were only 5-6 weeks old. This was very difficult at the time, but I have set an example for them as a working mom and it makes me very proud that they look up to me for this. I have been able to control my schedule in a way that I am home most nights for dinner and bedtime and I am there for as many school events that I can be there for. They don’t resent me for working. They see that I am a leader in the community for what I am doing and they are proud of me. They can see that I love what I do and I think that is one of the most important lessons that I can teach them- when you love your work it doesn’t feel like work. Of course, there are still many days that I have “mom guilt” if I have to leave early for work before they are awake or if they are at home sick and I have to go to work, but the rewarding days far outweigh the ones that are a struggle. They each have a white coat and scrubs in their size that they will wear for various dress up days and it always makes me happy when I see how much they admire me and still want to be like me. I hope to always have this impact on them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon at a young age. I was exposed to the field through a family friend and by high school, I was set on this and could not see myself pursuing any other career. No one else in my family was a physician, but there was something about the hands on approach to being able to heal people through surgery that I loved. I would not say that the path was easy, but to me, I never thought I had any other choice. I was determined to reach my goal. Luckily, I had a very supportive family who encouraged me along the way. In medical school, there were a few people who did discourage me and said that surgical residency was not conducive to having a family and a career in surgery was not for most women. I did not let this effect me. Instead, I founded a group called “Women Interested in Surgical Endeavors” at the University of Miami and started a small support group of women in my class who were interested in surgery. At the time, we had 6-7 women match for general surgery residency in my year, which was considered a lot. Through medical school, residency, and fellowship, I never changed my mind about my goal of becoming a surgeon. It was where I felt I fit in best. The operating room felt like home. I feel fortunate that I ultimately chose a speciality in which I can help so many women. Everyday at work I meet women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer and I am able to help cure them surgically by removing their cancer. So much of what I do is also psychological. The anxiety and fear that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis is palpable, I feel that one of my strengths is making women feel comfortable and reassured that they are going to get through treatment and be okay. I am able to connect with my patients and many of them become friends. If a patient walks out of my office feeling better than when they walked in, then I know I am doing my job right. The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing my patients months to years out of treatment, thriving and living their life. They get to fulfill their career goals, they get see their kids grow up or get to know their grandkids and I know that I truly was a part of making that happen. There is no better feeling than that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Such a fun question! The best part of Miami is being outside and enjoying the beautiful weather. I would spend several days at the beach, getting chairs and umbrellas for the day at The One Hotel, another day South of Fifth, and another day in Surfside. I would spend a day at The Surf Club pool and beach and have dinner there. I would hit up several of my favorite restaurants for dinners- Joe’s Stonecrab, Carbone, Fiola, and Matsuri for some casual sushi. I would do brunch in the Grove at Sadelle’s or lunch at Lokal. I would definitely take them to a Heat game. We would spend a day in Wynwood, shopping and looking at art. I would take them on a bike ride to Key Biscayne and get drinks and watch the sunset from there at Wet Lab. I would rent a boat for the day and take them around to see Miami from the water. Lastly, I would make sure to hit up all of my favorite Miami ice cream spots- Whip ‘n Dip, Cry Baby Creamery, and Salt & Straw!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to all of the physician moms out there that truly do the impossible day in and day out. Being a full time physician and mom is a tough gig. We give it our all to take care of our patients and when we are not doing that we are taking care of our kids. It can often seem that you are failing at both, but there are days that you excel as a physician and other days that you are killing the mom game. The best days are when you feel that you are doing a decent job as both. I am fortunate to have a large network of other physician moms, both through social media and in real life, and we all support each other. Without other women who have paved the way to show what is possible, I never would have thought I could do it all. I think it is very important to continue to encourage the next generation of female medical school graduates that they can do anything and if having a family is something they want in life, then they should always be supported in being able to achieve this goal and balance a rewarding career in medicine. Lastly, a shout out to all the supportive partners- my husband has been my greatest supporter through residency, fellowship and in my career as a surgeon and supported me as a mom. I feel extremely lucky to have him as a partner in life.

Website: https://doctors.baptisthealth.net/provider/Starr+Koslow+Mautner/868013

Instagram: @drstarrmautner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstarrmautner/