Dr. Nicketti M. Handy is a board-certified General Surgeon and fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologist. She is a dedicated breast surgeon who primarily practices out of the Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA. She also operates at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. She is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, where she works alongside her colleagues, surgical trainees, and researchers to continue SJCI’s long legacy of advancing breast cancer surgical education and cancer research.
Her journey to Breast Surgical Oncology began with a childhood passion for healing, art, and the biological sciences. After earning her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, she completed her General Surgery residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. In residency, she was drawn to the collaborative and long-term relationships between breast surgeons and their patients. The surgical creativity that can be found in Breast Surgery is what ultimately inspired her to pursue additional training through a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica. During fellowship, she learned advanced oncoplastic surgical techniques and the comprehensive management of both benign and malignant breast diseases. She is committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care to her community that integrates her surgical artistry with a holistic approach to patient wellbeing.
Dr. Handy continues to stay at the forefront of breast surgery innovation. She participates in clinical trials and aims to expand access to cutting-edge therapies by bridging resources between Providence cancer centers. Her vision includes bringing research opportunities typically centered in Santa Monica to patients in Burbank, thereby fostering equity in cancer care.
“…Being based in Burbank at the Disney Family Cancer Center is we’re hoping to bridge some of the resources at both of the cancer centers for more collaboration with research efforts, including clinical trials that might now only be available for Santa Monica patients.”
– Nicketti Handy, MD
Dr. Handy shares her background and mantra for providing exceptional care.
Outside of work, Dr. Handy enjoys biking and skiing with her husband, roller-skating in the LA sunshine, and cozying up on the couch with her dog and a good book.